Stories

Jim Pavisha (’66) wrote to Dr.Gilbert that he has retired and is enjoying his retirement <Ed. Congratulations on your well deserved retirement and thank you for your continued support to the Sociology department>

Toni Beamon (’95) wrote to Dr. Fernandez after her visit to a SCU reunion event. “20 years passed quickly and it was nice to see you are still teaching and creating positive change at the University! They need that there! My goal is to enter a Masters in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga and transition from the public to private sector again. I am applying to Google as a Public Policy Analyst. I do miss the Bay Area! Keep pushing students to think critically and give back to the community. Hard work does pay off! Thank you again for all your support and guidance through the years!” <Ed. The honor of seeing you do so well was equally ours. All the best in your future endeavors>

Tomás Jiménez (‘98) wrote to Dr. Garcia that he has been promoted to Associate Professor (with tenure) of Sociology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity at Stanford University. He is also Director of the undergraduate program in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and Director of graduate studies in sociology. He is an established scholar publishing in top-tier journals and other policy outlets. His first book, Replenished Ethnicity: Mexican Americans, Immigration, and Identity (University of California Press, 2010) received wide acclaim, including American Sociological Association’s Sociology of Latinos/as Section Distinguished Book Award. Currently, he is working on a second book manuscript, Strangers to Each Other: How Immigration and Assimilation Change Everyone in which he examines how individuals with deep generational roots in the United States participate in a relational process of assimilation that results in change among both immigrant populations and the established individuals who come in contact with each other. The book draws on in-depth interviews with established individuals and observations in three distinct subregions in the Silicon Valley: East Palo Alto, Cupertino, and Berryessa. <Ed. Congratulations, Prof. Jiménez, on your many accomplishments!!>

Sowmya Ayyar (’00) wrote to Dr. Fernandez about the thriving organization she has founded in Bangalore, India. “Thank you for your belief in the organization I started based on a small need I saw. I am really grateful to have you as a friend, believing in what I do, and motivating and inspiring me to do more, especially as you were MY inspiration to get into sociology, social justice, and because of that Prafull Oorja was born.” <Ed. Well done Sowmya. Good to see you putting your Sociology to work>

Maria Sasaki Reilly (’06) also has founded a non-public agency, “The Reilly Behavioral Group, LLC” that serves individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the San Jose area. She wrote looking to recruit Sociology interns… who will perform a mix of prep and hands on duties, e.g. assisting with sessions and making materials. Time commitment depends on how many units they're trying to qualify for; we ask for a 6 month commitment, due to the training required.” <Ed. Congratulations, Maria. And thank you for your willingness to offer current students the opportunity to learn from your organization>

Ellie (Bishop) Dexheimer (‘07) wrote to Dr. Nichols: “Hi Laura! Just got the soci newsletter and wanted to send an update for our family! Dan and I are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary this July in Jamaica (same place we honeymooned). We have a 3 1/2 year old son William ("The Kid") which we adore. I've been working for Safeway Corporate in Pleasanton for the last 7 years working my way up the Corporate Ladder and we'll be moving up to Boise, Idaho in the next few months due to a promotion from the Safeway/ Albertsons merger. Dan has been teaching at San Jose State and Santa Clara for the last couple of years (can you tell where I'm biased towards? ) but will (hopefully) continue to teach via the web at San Jose State throughout the rest of the academic year. Hope all finds you well! Still working on "4th generation for free" at SCU when The Kid hits college but we'll go from there. Thanks for everything!” <Ed. Good to hear that you, Dan, and William are thriving in your new home>

Cristina Gallardo-Sanidad (‘08) wrote: I graduated from SCU in '08 and moved to Arizona after graduation to complete a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I worked as a Labor Rights Promoter and later as director of the Worker Rights Center while finishing my masters in Social Justice and Human Rights Research. I recently earned a certificate in Paralegal Studies and am working at a progressive labor and employment law firm in Phoenix. I've had opportunities to publish and speak about workers' rights issues in Arizona and in border towns and how the political climate and immigration status affects workers' recourse and workplace experiences. And, I'm still citing Dr. Alma Garcia in my work! I'm most excited about a book chapter (my first solo chapter) in a forthcoming anthology by University of Arizona Press which draws from my thesis work, documenting the last decade of workers' rights issues in Arizona's construction industry. PS. I support Fossil Free SCU/SCCAP's and its initiative and push on the university to divest from fossil fuel companies. <Ed. Congratulations, Cristina; you make us all proud!!>

Jessica Gonzalez (’12) Jessica was recently promoted to Research Analyst II at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) International’s Center for Education and Human Services, where she helps lead focus groups for Spanish-speaking parents and provides management support and assistance in data collection and survey administration for various research projects. <Ed. Congratulations, Jessica. Well done>

Emma Stotz (’14) was recently hired as a HR Intern at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. and has recently re-enrolled at SCU to obtain my M.A. in Interdisciplinary Education with an emphasis in correctional and alternative education. <Ed. Good to see you balancing school and work so well>

Danae Dickson (’15) wrote in the summer: “I hope all is well. I'm currently in Thailand and am about to go to Cambodia. I've had a wonderful time and had some amazing experiences. Two days ago I had the opportunity to work with elephants for the day. I've attached a couple of pictures from my time there :) <Ed. Thank you for sharing adventures, Danae. We are glad for your experiences, but you make us jealous>

Many of your classmates are on Linkedin. Do check them out and stay connected to your cohorts and your Alma Mater!! And do send us a note as time permits.