Alumni News

• B.A. in Human Development (CSU San Marcos) - 2005
• Culinary Arts Degree in Patisserie (Le Cordon Bleu London)

Dayleen Coleman

Cuisine and Pastry Chef

Dayleen Coleman graduated from CSUSM in 2005 with a bachelor’s in Human
Development with an emphasis in Children’s Services. As a student, she was
active in the HD Club and helped found the HD Alumni Chapter. She has served
as the President of the HD Club from 2003-2005, the HD Alumni Chapter from
2005 -2010, and the CSUSM Alumni Association from 2012-2014.

After working in local nonprofits from 2005-2012, Dayleen was recruited by two
of her former professors to help develop CSUSM’s Master of Social Work
program, where she served as the primary coordinator throughout the
program's accreditation and the launch of its inaugural cohort in 2014.

She later pursued her passion for the culinary arts, earning a degree from Le
Cordon Bleu London and eventually founding D’liteful Chocolat in Lake San
Marcos. The award-winning business has gained recognition across San Diego
and serves elite clients, while Dayleen continues to stay engaged with both the
chocolate industry and the CSUSM community.

• B.A. in Human Development (CSU San Marcos) - 2011
• Master of Social Work (SDSU) - 2013

Elyce Mandich

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Elyce Mandich is a licensed clinical social worker based in Southern
California. She graduated from CSUSM in 2011 and earned her Master of
Social Work from San Diego State University in 2013.

She spent a decade in the public sector, first with Child Welfare Services and
later as a high school social worker, before opening her private practice, The
Therapy Co. Beyond her clinical work, Elyce creates empathy-based
merchandise and provides suicide prevention trainings for clinicians,
organizations, and schools—work deeply connected to her own experience of
losing her mother to suicide at age 10. Her passion is helping people feel a
sense of belonging, exactly as they are, while navigating the messy, beautiful
work of being human.

• B.A in Human Development (CSU San Marcos) - 2014
• Master of Social Work (CSU San Marcos) - 2017

Mitchell Cuomo

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor

Mitchell was born and raised in North County, San Diego. After 15 years in jobs
that left him unfulfilled, he returned to school at 33 - encouraged by his
therapist, an LCSW - to pursue a career in social services. He earned his
Human Development degree at CSUSM, followed by an MSW, completing
internships at North Coastal Mental Health Center (NCMHC) and Southwest
Juvenile Hall.

Hired by NCMHC before graduation, Mitchell balanced clinical work with his
internships and part-time warehouse work. Since earning his MSW in 2017, he
has grown within NCMHC from clinician to lead clinician, and now serves as
clinical supervisor, where he completed his foundational year internship.

• B.A. in Human Development (CSU San Marcos) - 2019
• Master of Public Health (CSU San Marcos) - 2021

Rebecca Conrad

Community Health Promotion Specialist II

Rebecca Conrad is a proud double alumna of California State University San
Marcos, earning a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s
degree in public health with a concentration in health promotion and health
education.

Conrad currently works at the County of San Diego as a Community Health
Promotion Specialist, where she supports communities with educational
resources and partners with local agencies to meet the health information
needs of families. She also has previous experience as an HIV Health
Educator for the Vista Community Clinic, advancing sexual health education
and outreach within the community.

Conrad centers her professional work in the powerful intersection between
human development and public health.

• B.A. in Human Development (CSU San Marcos) - 2016

Hannah Hawker

Experience Manager

Hannah reflects fondly on her time at CSUSM, where she majored in Human
Development with a minor in Psychology. Actively involved on campus through
the orientation team, campus activities board, Greek life, and the peer mentorship
program, she gained valuable experience that fueled her passions for leadership,
mentorship, philanthropy, advocacy, travel, and community engagement.

Since graduating, she has held diverse roles—including non-profit project
manager, office manager, event coordinator in the wine industry, summer camp
director, and most recently, experience manager in healthcare. At Aya Healthcare,
she serves as a liaison between clinicians, internal teams, and hospital systems,
ensuring challenges are resolved and all parties feel supported and set up for
success.

Her career path, though nontraditional, has given her a strong foundation in
adaptability, problem-solving, and navigating unexpected situations with
resilience.