myCSUSM
Meet Our Faculty
Rafael Hernández, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Rafael Hernandez earned his B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University, and both his M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. At CSUSM, he serves as the Program Coordinator for the Certified Wellness Coach II Training Program and is the Project Director for the Health Professions Pathways Program (HPPP) grant, which supports the development of the Wellness Coach Program within the Human Development major. Dr. Hernandez’s research explores approaches rooted in community cultural wealth and popular education to empower youth, families, and college students in university and community settings.
Carly Offidani-Bertrand, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Offidani-Bertrand is a sociologist and assistant professor of Human Development. Her work focuses on how social structures and cultural frames shape adaptation to marginalization, and how processes of adaptation ultimately impact developmental trajectories and health. She has examined these phenomena with socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, mixed-status immigrant communities, minority students attending primarily white university institutions, as well as adolescents being tried as adults within the criminal justice system
Dominick Betro
Lecturer
Dom is a retired CEO of Family Service Association (Riverside, CA). He is a Lecturer at California State University San Marcos, the University of Notre Dame, and La Sierra University. Dom was also Ward One Councilman for the City of Riverside from 2004-2008. He has a B.S. Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Work, from Fordham University.
Travis Blunt
Lecturer
I am a CSUSM Alumni and currently am an adjunct instructor. I am originally from Los Angeles but have found San Diego to be my new home. I do my best to incorporate community issues into my course development in order to focus our future leaders on a comprehensive solution to those issues after graduation.
Jason Coker
Lecturer
Jason Coker has served as a part-time faculty member in the Human Development Department since 2013, where he primarily teaches courses in nonprofit leadership, social policy, and social programs. He has extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and community organizing across North San Diego County, including work in interfaith coalitions and local advocacy initiatives focused on housing, policing issues, and LGBTQ rights. Jason is currently conducting PhD research into women’s narratives of religious disaffiliation in Southern California as a form of decolonial praxis.
Kathy Fuller, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Dr. Fuller hails from a town in Colorado (24 people). She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary/Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado; a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education (emphasis-Early Childhood) from CSUN; and a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies of Education from CSULA/UCLA. She currently teaches courses as a lecturer for the Human Development Department at CSUSM.
Miguel Guilarte, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Dr. Guilarte has a diverse background that includes degrees in sociology, theology, philosophy, and engineering. His intellectual interests focus on adult development, especially around areas of transition and transformation. Initiation rites, rites of passage, and other life transitions are central to his work. In addition, he also works in the field of trauma, especially when this can be a catalyst for personal growth in connection with Post Traumatic Growth theories. He works in areas connected with creativity and innovation both by individuals and in systems. Dr. Guilarte is also much involved with furthering good thinking and good research by developing both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including narrative analysis, phenomenology, and grounded theory.
Tracy Hall, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Since 2001 Dr. Tracy Hall has taught in the field of Human Development and Psychology at CSUSM and at several local community colleges. She has a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Change and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist(LMFT) and was in private practice for many years. Her areas of research interest have included: addiction and its impact on the brain; health promotion and disease prevention; and the impact of nutrition on health, chronic illness, well-being and mental illness.
Sabrina Liu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Sabrina Liu earned her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on understanding risk and resilience to stress and trauma during important developmental periods like pregnancy and childhood, particularly within racially and ethnically minoritized populations. Dr. Liu’s work is informed by her experiences as a trauma-informed clinical psychologist working with youth and families in hospitals, schools, and community mental health centers.
Russel Neuhart, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Dr. Russ Neuhart's professional experience includes direct services as aTherapist, Counselor/Case Manager, Program Manager and in Educational Administration. He received a BA in Psychology and an MA in Religious Education from the University of San Diego. He received his MA in Psychology and his Doctorate in Applied Psychology from United States International University-Alliant. His clinical experience encompasses victims of crime, abuse, & trauma; Individual, Couple & Family therapy; and Disability Counseling & Service Delivery. His research interestsare evidence-based treatment models & methods for Family Systems Intervention, Step- or "Blended" families, and the impact of Belief Systems on Mental Health.
Jessie Nichole Mellor, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Dr. Mellor is a Lecturer in HD and FYUP. In addition to her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, she holds an advanced certification in energy medicine. Dr. Mellor believes it is impossible for those who serve humanity to provide quality care if they don’t care for themselves –we can’t pour from an empty cup. Her teaching and student support modalities are unique, engaging, and universal.
Fernando Soriano, Ph.D.
Professor and Internship Coordinator
Dr. Fernando I. Soriano conducts research on adolescence, delinquency and on violence prevention programming. He develops innovative developmentally and culturally appropriate prevention programs (e.g., surfing and culinary). He is also an expert on community needs assessments and on professional skill development among graduating seniors. His most recent book is: Surviving Guide for College Graduates During Economic Trends and Conducting Needs Assessments: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Shyuan Ching Tan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Tan received her MBA from the University of Minnesota and a MA in Gerontology from CSU San Francisco, and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Tan studies minority aging. Her work focuses on minority older adults’ cognitive health (memory and neuropsychological testing). Her work also focuses on life purpose and its application and utility in minority older adults’ health and well-being. She is interested in the social determinants of health with a cultural lens, and focuses on resilience and protective factors, e.g., the protective effects of coping strength and sense of purpose in life on health outcomes
Teru Toyokawa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Teru Toyokawa received a BA and a MA in Psychology from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the Pennsylvania State University, and postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan. His research and publications focus on cultural comparisons in the conceptions of adulthood and maturity, and career development among ethnic minority youth.
Jolie Van Schoik
Lecturer
Jolie Van Schoik is currently creating an Early Childhood Education (ECE) concentration for the department. Previously she had taught the lifespan courses within Human Development. Ms. Van Schoik has a BA in Child Development and MA in Childhood Studies from the University of London. Her focus on education and childcare for young children ages 0-8.