CalState LA
1992-99
USC
2000-02

Phil entered California State University Los Angeles in 1992 as a transfer student from LA Community College.  Previously Phil had dabbled
in acting, going to acting school, waiting tables, getting bit parts.  He was back on track and decided to get serious about his goals.  By his
second year at CSULA, he discovered a talent and love for research and writing.  He was active in student governance and student affairs
and even co-produced plays.  As graduation drew near, he decided to continue at CSULA and earn a Masters degree in Sociology.  Phil was
keenly interested in understanding and helping urban disadvantaged students get higher education regardless of race, religion, or ability to
pay.  His thesis was titled Arguments Over Violence in the Yanomamo Culture. He would later use this research in understanding urban
gang violence.  On the day following graduation in 1999, he participated in a triathlon, true to his mission statement of integrating body, mind,
spirit in his life.  His six plus years at CSULA were happy ones and important ones. He found himself, exploited his creativity, developed his
natural academic talents, and crystalized his dedication to Education.

This is how Phil describes himself as Editor of the USC Academic Exchange:

"I am a doctoral student in the Rossier School of Education at the University of
Southern California. As an undergraduate, I majored in Liberal Studies with a
minor in Sociology, and thereafter, I completed a Masters in Sociology, which
led to my decision to pursue Education as a career. Two Ph.D. programs
accepted me; neither one of the programs excited me as much as when I was
accepted into the Ed.D. program at USC. I am proud to be a Trojan! I am student
oriented and interested in culturally diverse and special populations at the
university level. My work experience includes writing consultant, academic
advisor, English TA, producer of two 2-act plays, and GA for probation and
disqualified students. At least 5 days a week, I train for triathlons, learn new
theory, read, and write. Documentary films, coffee houses, and eclectic music
take up the rest of my time."

As his CSULA mentor said, 'on the momentus day Phil was accepted at USC, he changed his wardrobe to burgundy and gold'.  In addition to
his classwork, Phil was project coordinator for Transfer and Retention of Urban Community College Students and Off-Campus Liason.  He
published papers, attended national conferences, and was a teaching assistant; his full CV is online and a summary follows.  He was to
have completed course work in the fall of 2002 and had begun his dissertation on Barriers to Latino and Latina Higher Education with
expected doctorate in 2003.

Publications and Presentations:
"Academic Workshops: A Plan to Help Students Experiencing Academic Probation"
"Student Portfolios and Advisement"
"Symbolic Meaning of Safety Measures"
"Dialogue and tutoring Sessions"
"Executive Order 665 and Equal Access"
"Social Justice and Community College Part-timers"
"Introduction to the Transfer & Retention of Urban Community Colleges"
"Markers of Transfer Intent: Earliest Indication of a Student's Likelihood to Transfer"
"OERI Transfer and Retention of Urban Community College Students Yr One"

Service:
USC TRUCCS Sub-committee
USC TRUCCS Advisory Board
CSLA Fed Cred Union Policy
CSLA Univ Aux Svcs Board
CSLA Assoc Students Inc Board
CSLA Academic Senate Exec Cmtee
CSLA Assoc Students Exec Cmtee
CSLA VP Academic Governance
CSLA TA Modern Languages
CSLA WritingCnsltnt/Academic Advsr

Degrees/Awards:
USC Doctoral Fellow
CSLA Dean's List
CSLA PhiKappaPhi Honor Society
CSLA Gold Key Nat Honor Society

CSLA B.A. Liberal Arts '97
CSLA M.A. Sociology '99
USC Ed.D. Expected '03