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Marcella Alvear named June Employee of the Month 

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Marcella Alvear, a buyer in Procurement Services, has been named . 

Alvear, who has worked at The Beach for nearly 15 years, makes purchases for her department, provides guidance on purchase making, and is well-versed on the protocols of the Purchasing Office. 

“You are a prime example of a genuine team member,” said Sheri Hale, specialist, during a Zoom virtual celebration. “I have only witnessed you going above and beyond to address my needs. You always communicate transparently, find solutions and provide support in any way possible.” 

Movies by ������ filmmakers available online  

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Two recent films by a faculty member and an alumna, respectively, are now available on streaming platforms. “Liquor Store Dreams,” a documentary on Korean-owned liquor stores in Los Angeles directed by So Yun Um ‘11, is on and as part of its POV series. The film made its world premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and has screened at more than 20 film fests nationally and abroad. 

“Daughter of the Bride,” a romantic comedy directed by Annette Haywood-Carter, is available on Hulu and (uncensored version). Haywood-Carter is a part-time lecturer in the Department of Film & Electronic Arts and has worked as a writer, director and producer in the film and TV industry for almost 30 years. 

Um graduated with a degree in film and won the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2022 San Diego Asian Film Festival, plus a local jury award at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Festival.  

Psychology professor awarded citation from American Psychological Association  

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Courtney Ahrens, Ph.D., has been awarded a for her leadership and scholarship in the areas of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Ahrens, a psychology professor at The Beach for 20 years, has done extensive research in her field and has volunteered as an advocate, trainer and program evaluator for community-based agencies responding to sexual assault and intimate partner violence. 

Ahrens has also served as faculty member of , a confidential crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy center for the ������ community to address sexual assault, harassment, stalking and domestic violence. 
 

AVP becomes president of international education association

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Jeet Joshee, Ed.D., associate vice president for international education and global engagement, has been named the new (AIEA).  

Jeet, who has worked at ������ for 15 years, promotes the university’s mission to engage students, staff and faculty with international education resources to help prepare students for global leadership and service roles.  

AIEA is an organization committed to enhancing international education by connecting senior international officers from U.S. and global universities. Jeet will serve a three-year term as president, and will serve as chair of the AIEA 2025 Annual Conference. 
 

Hydrogeology professor named distinguished lecturer by national association 

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Matthew “Matt” Becker, Ph.D., the Conrey Endowed Chair of hydrogeology and a professor of , was recently selected as the Darcy Distinguished Lecturer for 2024 by the National Ground Water Association and Groundwater Foundation. Becker was chosen by a panel of engineers and scientists to present two lectures summarizing his research: “Fiber Optic Distributed Sensing as a Window on Subsurface Flow,” and “How Groundwater Impacts the People and Ecosystems of the South Pacific Islands.”  

Becker will begin his lecture series on Dec. 5 at the NGWA’s Groundwater Week Science & Engineering Forum. His lecture term runs through November 2024. 

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