Anna Zaragoza

Administrative Budget Assistant, Virtual Academic Center

Years with the school: 5

Anna started her career in the private sector and retired after 32 years before coming to USC. Anna enjoys reading, traveling, walks on the beach, and having a good laugh.

Fun fact: Anna enjoys wearing her tejana hat and cowgirl boots at country music concerts.

Jenny Kim

Administrative Assistant, Practicum Education

Years with the school: 7

Jenny was born and raised in Los Angeles. She holds a BA in sociology and minors in global studies and Asian American studies from UCLA. She has worked with students in schools for 14 years, previously as an AmeriCorps program leader and student services advisor, and currently as an administrative assistant with our Virtual Academic Center. Jenny is passionate about UI design, crafting, traveling, snowboarding and hiking.

Fun fact: Jenny is a huge L.A. Dodgers fan and has attended over 100 games.

Bill Monro

Research Manager

Years with the school: 13

Bill has been a research project manager for the school of social work since 2009. The core of his work is building relationships with local community based organizations to create successful research partnerships. In collaboration with these organizations (and the amazing USC principal investigators), Bill has worked on federally-funded research grants assessing the efficacy of early childhood systems of care, and a randomized control trial that tested the impact of an evidence-based depression treatment on Head Start mothers and their children. He is currently working on a study that is examining the epigenetic changes that may occur in maltreated youth as well as evaluating the efficacy of fatherhood intervention.

Maria Ofori

Budget Business Technician

Years with the school: 6

Maria began her career at USC 25 years ago as a travel agent for USC Travel, coordinating travel arrangements for faculty and staff. In 2000, she began a new career and for 15 years worked at MBA admissions for USC Marshall as a budget business analyst, performing accounting, travel and administrative work. In her current position in the business office at the school of social work, she performs accounting and various business functions. Maria is very passionate about her work and values the relationships she has developed with the faculty and staff. Most of all, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She has three children of whom she is extremely proud, and two of them are Trojan graduates!!

Fun fact: Maria loves to go for long walks, listen to music, and dance with family and friends.

Laura Onasch-Vera

Project Administrator, Coordinated Entry System Research and Refinement Project

Years with the school: 5

Laura graduated with her Master in Social Work from USC in 2017. She has been working at the school of social work since her second-year internship, and has worked on a number of community-based research projects focused on youth experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Laura also works as director of projects at a consulting start-up that does research and advocacy to end youth homelessness in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in sociology from the University of Iowa.

Fun fact: Laura has visited 19 national parks!

James Kelly

Senior Faculty Affairs Coordinator / Faculty Manager

Years with the school: 28

James has worked for the University of Southern California for over 40 years. His interests include spending time with family, traveling, working on home projects, playing various sports, and attending concerts. James is the youngest of nine siblings and has three children and three grandchildren with whom he loves spending valuable time. He is a hard worker who takes pride in his job, and enjoys interacting with administration, faculty, and staff at USC.

Fun fact: James has organized a mental and physical basketball program at USC for faculty and staff for 35+ years.

Jonathan Hoonhout

Project Administrator, Children's Data Network

Years with the school: 9

Prior to USC, Jonathan was the co-artistic director for the Washington Ensemble Theatre in Seattle, which included serving as a producer and grants writer. He holds a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts.

Fun fact: Jonathan's first paid job was as a roller coaster and go-kart tester.

Sandra Parra

Senior Student Programs Advisor

Years with the school: 14

Sandra assists student organizations of our school in leadership development, budget planning, conflict resolution, and many other ways. She provides a wide array of educational tools, including health and wellness resources, to our students. She also uses her knowledge as an advisor in her own community as a founder of Vision City Terrace which is dedicated to the health of historic East L.A. homes, and works with Supervisor Hilda Solis & Assemblymember Wendy Carillo to combat issues in the community. Sandra has a master's in education and is currently pursing an MSL at USC Gould School of Law.

Fun fact: Sandra loves riding her bike, growing her own veggies and herbs, and anything for a healthy lifestyle.
 

Xuan Nguyen

Office Administrator, Office of the Dean

Years with the school: 2

In her role, Xuan enjoys working directly with team leaders and learning how our collective efforts adapt to the evolving needs of our school and community. She has administrative experience working in higher education and research experience in various labs studying child mental health, autism, and substance use. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks in TJMaxx and the beach. Xuan loves traveling and eating, often at the same time.

Fun fact: Xuan is lactose intolerant but is willing to suffer for good food.

Ron Rubalcaba

Assistant Director of Admissions

Years with the school: 4 1/2

Ron is a U.S. Navy veteran and has worked in higher education admissions for 15 years at public and private universities. He previously taught government and coached football, basketball and volleyball at a private junior high school. He and his wife of 27 years have three children and a grandson. A recent graduate of Basic Police Academy, he plans to serve as a reserve police officer.

Fun fact: Ron is an identical twin.

Monica Ellis

Senior Executive Director, Academic Operations & Strategic Development

Years with the school: 19

Monica oversees a dedicated and talented team at the school comprised of admissions, scholarships, academic advisement and registrar. A proud USC alumna, Monica launched her career as a primary school educator before transitioning to post-secondary education administration. Through her role with the school she is currently focused on increasing partnerships nationally to enhance recruitment efforts and diversify our graduate student body.

Fun fact: Monica tirelessly seeks to encourage others through her educational and self-help books available on Amazon under the pin name Monica El.

Maricel Veluz

Student Services Manager, Academic Operations

Years with the school: 11

Maricel was born and raised in the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology from De La Salle University, Philippines, and a Master of Social Work from USC. She also has a private practice in Pasadena as a licensed clinical social worker. She started at USC in 2000 as an academic adviser at the American Language Institute and moved to social work in 2011. In her current role, she oversees the scheduling, registration and advisement operations for the campus and virtual programs. In her free time, she plays basketball and enjoys watching the Lakers and connecting with family and friends.

Fun fact: Maricel loves spending time with her grandnieces and nephews.

Keisha Lee

Practicum Data Coordinator, Virtual Academic Center and Workforce Development

Years with the school: 5

Keisha is proud to be a first-generation college graduate, blazing a trail for her three sons to follow. She earned her BA in Public Administration with an emphasis in Administrative Management from Cal-State University, Dominguez Hills, and her Master of Communication Management from USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Keisha has been with USC for 19 years; previously with Information Services and University Advancement. She currently supports both the practicum education office and workforce development programs at the school of social work. 

Fun fact: Keisha enjoys playing softball in her free time.

Hailey Winetrobe Nadel

Center Operations Coordinator, USC Center for AI in Society

Years with the school: 11

Hailey earned her Master’s in Public Health from UCLA and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Her public health research interests lie in homelessness, sexual health, and substance abuse prevention and intervention. As the USC CAIS Center Operations Coordinator, Hailey works with faculty, staff, and students in both social work and the Viterbi School of Engineering. Prior to joining CAIS, Hailey was a part of homelessness and housing research studies led by faculty in the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She earned her BS in public health and minored in psychology at Northern Arizona University. 

Fun fact: Hailey loves to bake--especially things with chocolate!

Ellen Castillo

Budget/Business Technician

Years with the school: 6

Ellen was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s. Prior to emigrating to the United States, she earned a degree in accounting from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. She began her career at USC 23 years ago as an administrative services coordinator for the Center for Scholarly Technology (CST), where she assisted faculty members in how to use various forms of technology. When CST became the university's Information Technology Services (ITS) Ellen joined the web services team within ITS and supported this new group with their administrative needs. In her current position as budget/business technician, she performs accounting needs for the Department of Academic and Faculty Affairs. 

Fun fact: Ellen loves to travel with her family and friends and spend time with her grandkids.

Carolina Peralta Ventura

Associate Director of Practicum Education and Telebehavioral Health Operations

Years with the school: 11

Carolina earned an undergraduate degree in business administration with an emphasis in organizational management from the University of La Verne, and a Master of Education from USC Rossier School of Education. She developed her passion for the field of education and academia through her life experiences of being the first born in her family and her parents instilling the value of education throughout her childhood. She is very passionate about her work, and values the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of many through her current work in the Practicum Education Department and the Telebehavioral Health Clinic. 

Fun fact: Loves to dance, help others, spending quality time with family and friends, and eating with great company.

Rebin Zangana

Practicum Office Manager, Virtual Academic Center

Years with the school: 4

Rebin grew up in Columbus, Ohio, but the harsh winters were too much! After earning his BA in English from THE Ohio State University, Rebin moved out to LA to pursue his MFA at USC. Rebin has been with the VAC practicum team since 2017, overseeing an amazing staff that helps run our practicum department. Prior to that, Rebin worked with the Academic Programs office at USC Dornsife.

Fun fact: Rebin has previously worked as a daycare teacher, tax professional and electrician!

Necole Yaacoub

Director of Admissions

Years with the school: 14

A proud USC alumna from the Rossier School of Education, she holds a Master in Education in Post Secondary Administration and Student Affairs. She believes strongly in higher education opportunities and works with her dynamic team to increase access for students from all backgrounds.

Fun fact: During the COVID lockdown, Necole taught herself to semi-professionally decorate cakes and cupcakes! Now her three children (Colette, Marc & Mia) constantly challenge her with their birthday cake requests and she loves every minute of it!

Mary Gelejian

Student Services Advisor, Academic Advisement and Registrar's Office

Years with the school: 7

As an academic advisor, Mary assists students with any academic-related questions or concerns, such as course registration and class scheduling for every semester. She works closely with students to ensure they complete the MSW program successfully. Mary holds a master's degree from USC Rossier School of Education with an emphasis in educational counseling. She has a true passion for working with students and providing them with all the resources and services available within the university.

Fun fact: Mary's favorite place to be is in the kitchen - she loves to cook and bake!

LaTasha Young

Budget Analyst, Advancement

Years with the school: over 35

LaTasha is the budget analyst for the school's Advancement Office. In her role, she oversees and manages the department's budgets and restricted funds.

Fun fact: Lately, LaTasha has been enjoying car karaoke.

Malinda Sampson

PhD Program Manager

Years with the school: 35

Malinda is one of the "lifelong Trojans" - serving over three decades and most of her entire career at USC. Since 2002, she has managed the PhD Program, working with renowned faculty and remarkable students that are making significant research contributions in the field of science.

Fun fact: Any DIY project is Malinda's calling. It comes from a family history of general contractors and carpenters.

Connie Chang

Senior Financial Analyst

Years with the school: 10

She teaches yoga at the USC Religion Center during her lunchtime for free! She guides Gen-Z to invest in wellness and wealth, building wealth through the “pay yourself first" model from sources of income to savings, then investing. Connie was born in Vietnam and raised in Los Angeles.

Fun fact: Connie loves to travel, imagination, yoga retreats, fine dining, embroidery, and share cooking Asian soup @souperhappylife.

Steven Hong

Director, Information Technology

Years with the school: 10

Over the past decade, Steven has led the digital transformation of the school's business processes. He holds a BS in chemical engineering, and previously worked at multiple software companies and ran his own consulting company.

Fun fact: Steven has visited 41 of the 50 U.S. states!

Mayra Gomez

Senior Admissions Counselor

Years with the school: 8

Mayra was born in El Salvador and raised in El Monte, California. She holds a Master in Education from USC Rossier. Mayra enjoys working with prospective students to guide them through the school's admissions process, and believes applying to graduate school is an exciting time for students as they follow their passion! She has two sons, 10 and 8, and enjoys watching them play baseball. In her spare time she loves going to concerts and spending time with family and friends.

Fun fact: Mayra's go to comfort binge show is: Schitt's Creek! Ewwww, David!

Josh Watson

Assistant Dean, Student Affairs

Years with the school: 10

Originally from Illinois, Josh is an alum of Loyola University, Chicago. Volunteering with the AmeriCorps program (I Have A Dream Foundation) brought him to Los Angeles. He has served as a substitute teacher throughout the LA Unified School District, primarily at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary, and while earning an MS and EdD in Educational Leadership from USC Rossier School of Education, he served as a residential coordinator at New Residential Hall. Prior to joining the school of social work, he was associate director of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. Josh enjoys traveling with his husband, fellow USC alum Hernando.

Fun fact: Josh introduced President Bill Clinton at his AmeriCorps graduation in Washington, D.C.

Ynah Veniegas

VAC Program Administrator, Academic and Faculty Affairs

Years with the school: 6

Ynah's role with the school focuses on the Department of Nursing. She was born in Marikina, Philippines and raised in Stockton, California. She holds a BS in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. She is currently a second-year graduate student at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy in the Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management program. Ynah enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, home decor, and snowboarding.

Fun fact: Ynah has gone scuba diving in Oahu, HI, where she swam with baby sharks and turtles!

Amanda Decker

Senior Development Officer, Constituent Relations and Advancement Operations

Years with the school: 3

Amanda has been at USC for five years, previously with USC Athletics. Born in Connecticut and raised in New Hampshire, she holds a BS from Bowling Green State and an MS from Eastern Michigan. She has worked in track and field operations both at USC and Michigan, and began her career in advancement at Eastern Michigan. Currently working on her CFRE, in her spare time she enjoys gardening, going to the dog beach with her dog Penny, traveling, and is an avid gamer.

Fun fact: Amanda is a track and field nerd and was on the USC Athletics staff that won the national track and field championship in 2018.