2025 Commencement Program | Sacramento
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY
Alliant International University is a private university accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) which offers programs in psychology, education, business management, forensic studies, law, and nursing. Alliant’s mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership, and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.
Alliant is comprised of six schools: California School of Professional Psychology, California School of Education, California School of Management & Leadership, California School of Forensic Studies, San Francisco Law School, and School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Our locations include Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco in California, a campus in Phoenix, Arizona and another in Mexico City, Mexico.
Alliant holds program-level accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA), California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and others. Our nursing programs have also received provisional approval from the Arizona Board of Nursing (AZBN).
MISSION STATEMENT
Alliant International University prepares students for professional careers of service and leadership, and promotes the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.
Alliant is committed to excellence in four areas:
- Education for Professional Practice
Alliant’s educational programs are designed to give students the knowledge, skills and ethical values they need to serve and lead effectively in a variety of professional settings. Alliant graduates are expected to achieve mastery of a body of knowledge and be able to apply that knowledge in professional practice in order to achieve desired and beneficial outcomes. - Scholarship
Scholarship in the Alliant context includes the discovery of new knowledge; the discovery of new applications of knowledge to solve practical problems; the integration of knowledge in new ways; and innovation in teaching knowledge and professional competencies. - Multicultural and International Competence
Alliant is an inclusive institution committed to serving diverse populations around the world by preparing professionals to work effectively across cultural and national boundaries; by increasing the number of professionals working in underserved areas; and by understanding and responding to the needs of diverse communities. - Community Engagement
Alliant’s faculty, students, alumni and staff are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world through professional education and practice. We measure the success of our university in part by the impact we have, both directly and indirectly, on the welfare of individuals, families, organizations and communities.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Carolyn E. Hickman, PhD
Denis Del Bianco
Eloy Ortiz Oakley
James Lyons, PhD
Jeffery Keith – Chairperson
Joyce Berenstein, JD
Lawrence Moore, PhD
Natalie Porter, PhD
Ron Longinotti
William Husson, PhD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Benedikt Balkmann—Chair
Kay Krafft
Tina Krebs
ALLIANT EDUCATIONAL
FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ron Longinotti – Chair
Connell Persico, PhD – Vice Chair
Kim Arnett – Treasurer
Jennifer Treese Wilson, JD – Secretary
Natalie Porter, PhD – Immediate Past Chair
Sue Ammen, PhD
Charles Dempsey
Kris Mohandie, PhD, ABPP
Mike Pittenger, PhD
Kumea Shorter-Gooden, PhD
Don Wing, PhD
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Andy Vaughn, MSEd
President & CEO
Tracy L. Heller, PhD
Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Afshin Afrookhteh, PhD, JD
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Brandon Jouganatos, EdD
Chief Operations & Innovation Officer
Christoph Winter, MSc
Chief Financial Officer
Esmeralda Silva
Vice President of Student Affairs
Joshua Blazer
Chief Information Officer
Tremier Johnson
Vice President of Human Resources
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
David Stewart, PhD
Dean, California School of Professional Psychology
Diana Concannon, PsyD
Dean, California School of Forensic Studies
and Associate Provost, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
Kristy Pruitt, EdD
Dean, Accreditation and Quality Assurance,
California School of Education
Judy Mantle, PhD
Interim Dean, California School of Education
Lisa Radesi, DNP, MSN
Interim Dean, School of Nursing & Health Sciences
Rachna Kumar, PhD
Dean, California School of Management & Leadership
Sherrie Palmieri, DNP, MBA
Founding Dean, School of Nursing & Health Sciences
Debra Kawahara, PhD
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs,
California School of Professional Psychology
Stephanie Wood, PhD
Associate Dean of Training & Administration, California School of Professional Psychology
Ruth Best, EdD
Assistant Dean, California School of Education
KJ Conner, PhD
Associate Provost, Academic Administration and Accreditation
CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION
Binayak Joshi
Associate Campus Director
Jacqueline Orlando-Fahey, PsyD
Program Director, Clinical Psychology PsyD
California School of Professional Psychology
Gita Seshadri, PhD
Branch Director,
Couples and Family Therapy Program California School of Professional Psychology
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
FACULTY
Natalie Bennett, PhD
Sean Davis, PhD
Tatiana Glebova, PhD
Alex Hsieh, PhD
Amir Ramezani, PhD
Margaret Lee, PhD
Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Anna Washington, PhD
Tabitha Webster, PhD
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING – CSPP
LIAISONS
Natalie Bennett, PhD
Alex Hsieh, PhD
Anna Washington, PhD
SACRAMENTO STAFF
Binayak Joshi
Felice Miller
Kimberly Krenzer
Shezwae Foster
PLATFORM PARTY
Andy Vaughn, MSEd
President & CEO
Armando Gonzalez, PsyD
Keynote Speaker
Tracy Heller, PhD
Executive Vice President & Provost
Marion Chiurazzi, PsyD,
Associate Program Director, California School of Forensic Studies
David Stewart, PhD
Dean, California School of Professional Psychology
Judy Mantle, PhD
Interim Dean, California School of Education
Lawrence Moore, PhD
Board of Trustees
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
2025 GRADUATING CLASS
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY
PLATFORM PARTY
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Pomp and Circumstance
Musical Recording
Welcome
Tatiana Glebova, PhD,
Sacramento Faculty Assembly Chair
President’s Remarks
Andy Vaughn, MSEd, President & CEO
Introduction of Commencement Speaker
Andy Vaughn, MSEd
Keynote Address
Armando Gonzalez, PsyD
Alum, Marital & Family Therapy
Introduction of Voices of Diversity
Lawrence Moore, PhD,
Board of Trustees
Voices of Diversity
Pavneet Kaur
Alishba Khan
Liliana Guadarrama
Introduction of Student Speaker
Marion Chiurazzi, PsyD
Student Address
Brooke Scharli
PRESENTATION CLASS OF 2025
California School of Forensic Studies
Marion Chiurazzi, PsyD
California School of Education
Judy Mantle, PhD
California School of Professional Psychology
David Stewart, PhD
Presentation of Candidates
Kristen Simoes
Conferring of Degrees
Andy Vaughn, MSEd
Closing Remarks
Tracy Heller, PhD
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
DR. ARMANDO “MONDO” GONZALEZ
Dr. Armando “Mondo” González, Founder & CEO of Cheatcode, is a leading expert in unlocking peak mental performance for elite athletes, entertainers, executives and top performers. He has worked with some of the most high-profile names in sports, including Lindsey Vonn, Dansby Swanson, and organizations like the Tennessee Titans and UCLA Athletics.
His innovative brain-based and trauma-informed methods help high performers access flow state, enhance performance, and achieve greater quality of life. His holistic approach marks a shift toward integrating mental well-being with physical performance, proving that true success comes when mind and body work together.
Dr. Mondo is also the Founder of Cheatcode Foundation, a nonprofit committed to ending stigma, democratizing access, and declaring mental health care as a human right.
In addition, he is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Speaker, Professor and Academic Researcher. He holds a Doctorate of Psychology in Marriage & Family Therapy from Alliant International University and Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Sacramento State University.
ACADEMIC REGALIA
Academic dress has its origin in the Middle Ages. When the European universities were taking form in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, scholars were also clerics, and they adopted robes similar to those of their monastic orders. Caps were a necessity in drafty buildings; capes, or capes with hoods attached, were needed for warmth. As the control of universities gradually passed from the church, academic costume took on brighter hues and employed varied patterns in cut and color of gown and type of headdress.
The use of academic costume in the United States has been continuous since colonial times, but a clear protocol did not emerge until an intercollegiate commission in 1893 recommended a uniform code. In this country the design of a gown varies with the degree held. The bachelor’s gown is relatively simple with long, pointed sleeves as its distinguishing mark. The gown for a master’s degree has an oblong sleeve with the rear part cut square and the front part with a cutaway arc. The most elaborate academic costume is the doctoral gown with velvet panels down the front and three bars of the same material across the sleeves.
The velvet is usually black, but it may be a color designating the field of study to which the degree pertains. The gown itself, usually black like those of lower degrees, may be of a color distinctive of a particular university.
The hood bears a still larger symbolic burden: the width of its velvet trimming designates the level of the degree; the color heralds the major field of study; and the lining identifies the institution that granted the degree. Alliant International University is symbolized by a lining of blue, sage and gold.
SIGNIFICANCE OF COLORS
Colors indicating fields of study are listed below:
Brown: Fine Arts
Copper: Economics
Dark Blue: Philosophy
Drab: Business Administration
Golden Yellow: Science
Green: Medicine
Light Blue: Education
Orange: Engineering
Pink: Music
Purple: Law
Royal Blue: Psychology
Russet: Forestry
Scarlet: Divinity, Theology
White: Arts, Letters, Humanities
The gold tassel indicates the doctoral degree; a black tassel indicates the
master’s or bachelor’s degree.
MILITARY HONOR CORDS
In recognition of military service to the United States of America, Alliant International University honors the graduation of Active Duty service members and Veterans by providing an opportunity for them to wear red, white, and blue honor cords to their commencement ceremony. Honorably discharged U.S. Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, or Reservists, or ROTC students commissioning upon graduation are authorized to wear a Military Honor Cord.
OATH OF AFFIRMATION
I hereby affirm that I shall discharge the responsibilities of my profession in a manner consistent with respect for the dignity and worth of the individual and that I shall strive for the preservation and protection of fundamental human rights.
That I shall seek to increase knowledge of human behavior, to increase self understanding and understanding of others, and that I shall use such knowledge for the promotion of human welfare.
That I shall diligently protect the welfare of those who seek my services, and that I shall use my skills only in the furtherance of human welfare and the integrity of the individual.
And that I shall well and truly recognize the traditions and ethics of my profession, and that l shall subscribe to these traditions and ethics freely and upon my honor.
Adopted from the Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association.
DEGREES EARNED FROM ALLIANT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF FORENSIC STUDIES
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY: PSYCHOLOGY, PUBLIC POLICY AND LAW
Alena Ann Hairston
A Qualitative Examination of Community College Students’ Experiences with Housing Assistance Programs
Chair: Michael McHenry, PhD
Brooke S. Schärli
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Combating the Illicit Dark Web
Chair: Michael McHenry, PhD
Mariah B. Ramos
Program Monitoring Process Evaluation of a Post-Secondary Education Program on Independence and Employment Outcomes for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Chair: Marion Chiurazzi, PsyD
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
CREDENTIAL: SINGLE SUBJECT
Nathan C. Doyle
CREDENTIAL: MULTIPLE SUBJECT
Alison M. Holguin
Lorena Marie Santos-Whitehead
Rosalyn M. Wilson
Zahira Sadiq Saleem
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Anthony C. Cole
Carli Alexis Arndt
Carolyn Kay Roberts
Gabriela Prado
Julissa Reynoso
Lewis D. Stallworth IV
Mylene Dolores Salas
Noshin Mansouri
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: MULTIPLE SUBJECT
Alyssa H. Robinson
Andrea R.M. Alcairo
Angela Williams
Bernardina Garcia Flores
Christelle Francisco Villanueva
Daniela Medina
Genora Dawn Whiting
Grace Michelle Baldeon
Isabel Angel Salcedo
Isabella Maureen Castillo
Kimberly Louise Murphy
Mai Sue Lee
Marilyn Guevara
Martha Garcia
Maryam Rahbaran
Nicole Mary Keenan
Olga M. Avila
Teresa Montes
Tiffanie Marie Briggs
Veronica Ramirez
Yesenia Estrada Cervantes
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: SCHOOL COUNSELING
Abigail Williams
Aleila Mariah Monge
Alejandro Alfaro
Idalia Mendoza
Juana Barajas Gonzalez
Kelli Renee McNail
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Angela Richardson
Danielle C. Stewart
Isabella Bartosh
Jasmeet Kaur
Lisa Hill
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: SINGLE SUBJECT
Bradley Austin Salyer
Cynthia Noemy Valdez
David Nicolas Silva
Erika Sosa
Jennifer Adlin Orozco
Karla Melissa Nichols
Krystal Alicia Heinz
Matthew Levi Hackett
Melissa R. Gomez
Pavneet Kaur
Sarita R. Segovia
Shannett Anique Frank
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: EDUCATION SPECIALIST IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Danielle Reynoso Miranda
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: EDUCATION SPECIALIST IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Amanda May-Wheeler
Jessica Muller
DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Rebecca Elizabeth Ryun
The Impact of Enthusiasm-Based Cognitive Behavioral Techniques in Group Settings on Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Chair: Lisa Vega, PsyD
Stephanie Marie
Ravaglioli Montz
Adolescent Achievement Anxiety and Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behaviors: School Based Supports
Chair: Lisa Vega, PsyD
Tiffani N. Arlington
Exploring Teacher-Student Relationships as a Buffer to the Effects of Trauma for Black Middle School Students
Chair: James Adams, PhD
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
(NON-TERMINAL) MASTER OF ARTS: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
CaitLynn Klawon
Cole Lauritzen
Coralea K. Horton
Jaclyn Ann Shandy
Jenita S. Prasad
Jennifer A. Vranich
Jennifer Selina Rodriguez
Jessica Duncan
Nicole Torres
Nsa Marguerite Emodi
Preeti Ghuman
Sukhbir Kaur Sahota
MASTER OF ARTS: CLINICAL COUNSELING
Alisha Tahir-Kheli
Deborah Min
Kayla Renee Coe
Monica Celestina Velez
Paul Robert Ferrin
Sydnie M. Samaniego
MASTER OF ARTS: MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY
Alia Marie Rogers
Alishba Khan
Amy Vergie
Araceli Adriana Sandoval
Charis Vanessa Vigil
Christina Marie Coker
Daisy Leanos-Bower
Damonisha Lynette Horne
Irene Perez
Jacqueline Gutierrez
Kirpah Kaur Sahota
Liliana Guadarrama
Madisen Grace Hiney
Marianne Estorco
Miri Fields
Miriam Roula Shamroukh
Monica Martinez Flores
Rachel Derby
Samantha Blair
Samuel H. Parker
MASTER OF ARTS: ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Emma Ann Pohl
Jonah J. Vassar
Trina Bahramand
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK
Meuy Saeteune
Nicole Katherine Forget
DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY: MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY
Anjali Chandra
Hidden Racism: The Experience of Toxic Positivity within the Asian American Community
Chair: Alexander Hsieh, PhD
Hubbis D. Fabian
Impact of Supervisory Alliance, Power Dynamics, and Multicultural Competence on Racial Ethnic Minority Supervisee’s Multicultural Counseling Self-Efficacy.
Chair: Tatiana Glebova, PhD
San Juana B. Melgoza
The Mutual Embracement of Pornography Use Among Intimate Dyads: A Phenomenological Approach in Search for the Meaning of Pornography Within Relationships
Chair: Alexander Hsieh, PhD
Xe Misty Xiong
The Influence of Patriarchal Values on Domestic Violence Against Hmong Women: A Hmong Male Perspective
Chair: Nicole Gutierrez, PhD
DOCTORATE OF PSYCHOLOGY : MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY
Heather Marie Colquhoun
The Case for Attachment: A Hierarchical Multiple-Moderating Regression Study of Adolescent Substance Use, Anxiety, Depression and Trauma from an Attachment Therapy Perspective
Chair: Alexander Hsieh, PhD
DOCTORATE OF PSYCHOLOGY : CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Aamina Shabeer
Unmasking the Imposter: Measuring Imposter Phenomenon and its Relationship with Implicit Gender Bias, and Gender Role Orientation in Female Doctoral Psychology Students
Chair: Anna Washington, PhD
Alissa Fernandez
Predicting Anxiety, Anger, Depression, And Disruptive Behavior By Self-Concept In Middle School Girls
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Anh Lan Pham
The Relationship Between Culture, Stigma, Chronic Illness Disclosure, and Quality of Life
Chair: Anna Washington, PhD
Ashley Peluso
Generational Differences of Belonging and Life Satisfaction Among Nonbinary persons
Chair: Jacqueline Orlando-Fahey, PsyD
Benjamin Satoshi Pritchard
The Influence Of Self-Compassion On Internalized Racism And Psychological Distress Among Asian Americans
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Cynthia Ortega
The Influence of Acculturation and Stigma on Mental Health Seeking Attitudes for First-Generation Latino College Students
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Deanna K. Young
Collaborative Music Making and Resilience
Chair: Jacqueline Orlando-Fahey, PsyD
Erica Kudelin
The Role of Social Support on Stress and Depression in College Students
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Felisha Stead
Impact of Attachment Styles on Applied Behavioral Analysis Professionals Ability to Manage Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Heather Elahi
Longitudinal Trajectories of Parenting Stress In Caregivers of Children at Elevated Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Hosea Rogers III
The Black Experience of College Hazing
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
James FitzGerald
Reinforcement Sensitivity Traits in Recreational and Competitive Distance Runners
Chair: Jacqueline Orlando-Fahey, PsyD
Lacy P. Sohn
Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use, Self-Esteem, and Loneliness in the LGBTQ+ Community
Chair: Anna Washington, PhD
Leslie Anne Hugg
Development of the Combat Aviation Stressor Scale
Chair: Anna Washington, PhD
Luca Andrea Kolak
Discrimination, Satisfaction, and Help-Seeking Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) Individuals After Psychiatric Hospitalization
Chair: Jacqueline Orlando-Fahey, PsyD
Mari Elizabeth-Hisamoto Guerrero
The Impact of Fear of Crime and History of Trauma on Women’s True Crime Media Consumption
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Marina Chapman
The Influence of Parental Psychopathy Subtypes, Attachment Style, and Trait Emotional Intelligence on Parenting Style
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Mehak Bath
Changes in Executive Functioning and Symptoms of Depression in the Luteal Phase vs. Follicular Phase of the Menstrual Cycle
Chair: Anna Washington, PhD
Morgan Kissinger
Perceived Parental Bonding: Maladaptive Eating Behaviors and Body Dissatisfaction
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Nasya Johari
Hammond-Watson
IEP Procedural Difference Between Black and White Students in Consideration of California’s Larry P. V. Riles 1984 Court Decision
Chair: Matthew Baity, PhD
Negar Fazeli Dehkordi
Post-Traumatic Growth In Afghan Refugees Who Experienced War And Mass Violence
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Pryanka K. Narayan
Factors Influencing Female Community College Students from Reporting of Sexual Violence
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
Roxanne Nicole
Morales Rivera
Life Satisfaction and Place Attachment Among Adults in Puerto Rican Adults After Repeated Exposure to Natural Disasters
Chair: Jacqueline Orlando-Fahey, PsyD
Vanessa Ariel Solis
Consumed by Crime: Investigating the Psychological Effects of True Crime Media Consumption in Women
Chair: Emil Rodolfa, PhD
NOTE TO OUR NEW ALUMNI
Congratulations! Commencement is an inspirational and exiting time for you and your family! You are now joining over 45,000 alumni of alliant International University. We are sure you will make a difference in the world, just as many other alliant alumni have done and continue to do so.
Your fellow alumni have gone on to become world-renowned psychologists, couples and family therapists, educators, government leaders, international entrepreneurs, leaders of universities, authors, television stars and even academy award winners. You are in great company when you proudly state you are a graduate of Alliant International University.
The Alliant Alumni Association, which includes graduates from a rich 85+ year history at Balboa University (1926-1959), Cal Western (1959-1973), United States International University (1973-2001), California School of Professional Psychology (1972-2000), and now Alliant International University (2001-present) are excited to welcome you to this incredible worldwide network.
You are important to us, and we want to stay connected!
An important part of your future is being a member of the Alliant Alumni Association. Keep the Office of Alumni Relations up to date with your most recent address, both physical and electronic, as well as career successes and personal developments and achievements. Alliant continues to contribute to your professional development and gives you the means to expand your professional network. We encourage you take advantage of the following alumni services:
- Get involved by attending University events, participating on alumni panels, and guiding students interested in your field.
- Join the Impact Network alumni portal to connect with fellow alumni and students.
- Access alumni benefits such as the use of Career Services and the Library as well as discounts on Continuing Education classes and theme park attractions.
- Update your contact information to stay in touch!
Our Alumni Association wishes you great success as you travel through life with the valuable knowledge and experience you have gained at Alliant. Stay connected!
Contact Information: alumni@alliant.edu
Website: alumni.alliant.edu
Be sure to also check out your school-specific alumni webpage for additional
information! Links to the CSML, CSFS, CSOE, CSPP & SFLS pages are on the main
alumni website.