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Placer Planning Fellowship
Vajra Watson
Interim Senior Associate Vice President
Placer Campus
Sacramento State
May we leave education better than we inherited it.
Dr. Vajra Watson
Vajra M. Watson is a full tenured Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and currently serves as the Senior Associate Vice President of the Sacramento State Placer Campus. Prior to this role, she was the Faculty Director of the doctoral program in educational leadership at Sac State and spent 12 years at UC Davis as the Director of the Office of Research and Policy for Equity. She is the founder of Sacramento Area Youth Speaks (SAYS), an award-winning literary arts organization that pairs community-based poet-mentor educators and teachers together to develop curriculum that reclaims and reimagines schooling.
Dr. Watson is the author and co-editor of four books: Learning to Liberate (Routledge, 2012), Transformative Schooling (Routledge, 2018), The Soul of Learning (Routledge, 2022), and Faith Made Flesh (Cornell University Press, 2023), as well as dozens of journal articles and book chapters. She is the recipient of Sacramento’s 40 Under 40 Leadership Award, the California Educational Research Association’s Best in Research Award, the Congressional Woman of the Year Award, the NBA Sacramento King’s Woman of Inspiration Award, and the American Educational Research Association’s Social Impact Award as well as AERA’s Social Justice Leadership Award.
Watson is a steadfast solutionary who works at the intersections of theory and practice, policies and pedagogies. She is active in the community and is honored to serve on a number of Board of Directors, including United Playaz in San Francisco (Board President), the National Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning, The People’s Think Tank for Educational Justice, Kingmakers of Oakland (Board Co-Chair), and Elite Public Schools.
Dr. Watson obtained her B.A. from UC Berkeley and holds two Master’s Degrees from Harvard University in International Education and Teaching and Learning. In 2008, she received her Doctorate in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
Vajra is the very proud mother of two children; her daughter is a sophomore at Yale and her son recently graduated from UC Berkeley with Dual Degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and Business Administration. She loves to listen to music and enjoys game nights with family and friends (playing everything from dominoes to Uno).
Kathryn "Katie" Clifford
Dr. Kathryn Clifford has worked as a lecturer in the Psychology Department at Sacramento State for over 10 years. Additionally, for several years, she has worked as an adjunct professor at several community colleges in the area. In addition to teaching, Dr. Clifford focuses her research within higher education, specifically the study of college student mental health, academic performance, and student success. The foundation of Dr. Clifford’s teaching philosophy is to engage students in their own learning, while giving them real life skills to assist them beyond the walls of academia. Further, she hopes to ensure that those who wish to be educated have the support and resources they need to be successful. Dr. Clifford tries to empower students to not fear trying something because they are afraid to fail. In the words of Thomas Edison, “I have not failed 10,000 times—I've successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work”.
Laura Gonzalez-Ospina
Waste & Sustainability Analyst
Sacramento State
Laura holds a B.S. in Biology from Emmanuel University, An M.A. in Global Sustainability, with a concentration in Water Sustainability, from the University of South Florida, and a Graduate Certificate in Climate Change & Sustainability from the same institution. With this extensive educational background, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role, spearheading initiatives to reduce the university's environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions.
Lisa Jorgensen-Easterla
Placer Faculty Ambassador
Spring Pilot with Sierra College
Professor Jorgensen-Easterla was born and raised in south Sacramento (Florin/Stockton Blvd area), and was bused to Elk Grove High when it was the only high school in the district. She began her college education in the Los Rios Community College system. In 1986, as a single mother juggling two jobs, she started as a re-entry student at Cosumnes River College, then transferred to American River College, taking one class at a time until she earned her AA degree in 1993, a milestone she still cherishes as her favorite graduation.
After relocating to Chico with her children, she obtained her BS in Recreation Administration in 1996 and her MA in 1998. In 1999, she began teaching as a part-time lecturer at Chico State. By 2002, she had joined the part-time faculty at Sacramento State in the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration (RPTA). From 2003 to 2006, she taught and engaged in research at the University of Utah, where she earned her Ph.D. in Recreation Administration.
In 2006, she was hired as a "Generalist" in the RPTA department, where she became well-versed across the core curriculum of her discipline and taught a wide variety of courses. Over the past 25 years, across three universities, she has taught in both major coursework and General Education areas, including graduate programs. Many of the courses she taught were developed or completely restructured by her. In 2012, she was honored with the College of Health and Human Services Outstanding Teacher Award. She has also participated in numerous service activities for the department, including roles such as Graduate Coordinator, Vice Chair, Minor Advisor, Advisor, and Outreach Coordinator, among others.
A decade ago, while preparing for a course, she discovered the National Institute for Play website and proposed a new course to her Chair. In the fall of 2022, they launched the first Science of Play course in the General Education B5 area. This course engages students through a combination of online work—including readings, videos, documentaries, and quizzes—and in-person sessions featuring short lectures and collaborative learning activities. Her courses typically have large lecture sizes during the academic year (currently 125 students per course) and smaller classes during summer sessions (40 students). She is thrilled to share this course, which has been a tremendous success for Sacramento State students and the department, and it has grown to include three other lecturers teaching additional sections.
Professor Jorgensen-Easterla is excited about the opportunity to bring this course to Sierra College students, feeling that it represents a full-circle moment for her as she returns to where her own educational journey began in community college.
Philip Hess
Criminalist and Educator
Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office
Phil is currently employed as a Criminalist IV for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Laboratory of Forensic Services where he has been continually employed for over twenty years. He is the Technical Lead for the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit, Impressions (Footwear and Tire Tracks) Unit, and the Crime Scene Response Team. Phil has extensive experience teaching law enforcement officers and forensic scientists from around the world, providing forensic training to state, local, and federal law enforcement. He currently teaches six different Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) approved courses in forensic science for the California State Department of Justice and he is a P.O.S.T. certified firearms instructor and holds a certification with the International Association for Identification in Forensic Photography. Phil has taught various courses in the Criminal Justice Department at CSUS for 10 years and he also teaches multiple forensic courses for the Forensic Science Graduate program at U.C. Davis where he has been a lecturer for 8 years.
Donna Jensen
Chair & Professor
Department of Gerontology
Sacramento State
As a licensed clinical social worker and gerontologist, Dr. Jensen specializes in the holistic care and wellbeing of people and society. She currently is the chair of the Gerontology Department and teaches a course on Strategies for Optimal Aging. Her current research is on resilience after disasters. She has had the fortune to work with students and colleagues to develop innovative community programs throughout northern California.
Jamie Kneitel
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Sacramento State
Jamie Kneitel has been a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at California State University, Sacramento, since 2004. A Los Angeles native, he earned his B.A. from UC Santa Cruz, his M.S. from CSU Northridge, and his Ph.D. from Florida State University. As a dedicated researcher and educator in the field of ecology, he has mentored over 100 students and authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, many co-authored with his students. His research, supported by numerous funding agencies including the National Science Foundation, has involved collaborations with both national and international researchers. Dr. Kneitel was a Fulbright Scholar from 2017-2018 and served as a Fulbright Ambassador from 2022-2024. His past administrative roles include Department Chair, Assistant Chair, and Graduate Coordinator.
Melissa Leal
Tribal Liason for Placer Campus
Chair, Ethnic Studies Department
Sierra College
Dr. Melissa Leal is the Chair of the Ethnic Studies Department at Sierra College and the Tribal Liaison for the Placer Center. She has over 20 years of experience working in Education and specifically with American Indian/Alaska Native students and Tribal Communities. Melissa is an enrolled member of Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation from the greater Monterey Bay region but was born and raised in Sacramento. Dr. Leal earned her undergraduate degree in Ethnic Studies from Sac State and her Ph.D. In Native American Studies from UC Davis. Her work is reflective of the community that raised her, and she aims to ensure that Miwok and Nisenan people are actively engaged and consulted in all aspects of education on their unceded lands.
Lucas Moosman
Vice President of Student Services
Sierra College
Lucas Moosman, a first-generation community college student turned educational leader, serves as the Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Student Services at Sierra College. With over two decades of experience in higher education, Lucas has dedicated his career to enhancing student success and promoting equity. His journey at Sierra College includes roles as Executive Dean of Instruction and Dean of Kinesiology/Athletic Director, where he spearheaded initiatives such as the Equity & Student Completion Plan, Guided Pathways implementation, and expansion of dual enrollment programs. Before Sierra College, Lucas held leadership positions at institutions including UC Berkeley, San Diego State University, and the University of Utah, consistently demonstrating his commitment to improving the student experience. His innovative approaches to enrollment management, academic support, instruction, and equity-minded practices have significantly impacted student outcomes.
Anthony G. Sheppard
Professor
Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration
Sacramento State
Dr. Sheppard is in his 28th year as a Sacramento State professor, advisor, and program coordinator, and has held academic leadership positions including multiple appointments as Department Chair and as Chair of the Faculty Senate. Tony has taught over 150 course sections, authored or co-authored over 40 professional publications and presentations, written hundreds of news media columns, and has been recognized for both community and campus service including being selected as Sacramento State's 2019 Annual John C. Livingston Lecturer, speaking on the topic "Jaws, Netflix, and Retention." Away from work or a keyboard, he is happiest when carrying a camera (or cameras) and a plane ticket (or tickets).
Abhijeet Shirsat
Associate Professor & Graduate Coordinator
Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration
Sacramento State
Dr. Abhijeet Shirsat is an Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration at California State University, Sacramento Campus. Prior to entering academia, he worked internationally in the hospitality and tourism industry for several years. Dr. Shirsat’s teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in his extensive industry experience, and he advocates for innovation, integration, and education through storytelling. He believes these elements are crucial in preparing students for the dynamic hospitality and tourism sector. His research interests span a broad spectrum, bridging the gap between human behavioral topics and technology. His focus areas include hospitality, tourism, events, recreation, leisure, social media, AI, marketing, and leadership. Dr. Shirsat is committed to advancing the hospitality and tourism field through research, education, and industry collaborations, leveraging his diverse expertise and experience.
Ryan Todd
Director of Energy & Sustainability
Sacramento State
Ryan is the Director of Energy & Sustainability at California State University, Sacramento, and the campus Sustainability Committee Chair. Ryan holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from California State University, Sacramento, a master’s in Business Administration from Western Governors University, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Prior to arriving at CSU Sacramento Ryan worked for Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Organization, focused on Sustainable practices in the hospital setting.
Troy D. Topping
Professor & Department Chair
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Troy D. Topping is a Professor and Department Chair at California State University, Sacramento, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of California, Davis, in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science in 2012 from UC Davis and worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar under Professor Enrique Lavernia before receiving his adjunct appointment in January of 2013. Topping’s research specializes in synthesis, processing and mechanical characterization of ultrafine grain (UFG) light metals (Al, Mg, Ti). Prior to UC Davis, he earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Sacramento. Recently, he has been focusing on the advancement of the Mechanical Engineering Department through collaboration with industry and colleagues across disciplines. Professor Topping believes interdisciplinary collaboration is the future of engineering if we are to be successful in solving complex problems in today’s society.
Pamela Wimbush
Associate Dean
College of Continuing Education
Sacramento State
Dr. Wimbush is an accomplished scholar and leader in continuing, professional, and online education, with a strong commitment to expanding access to adult learners and promoting social mobility through high-quality education. Her extensive career reflects a dedication to innovative educational practices across multiple modalities. As Associate Dean of Program Success and Organizational Excellence, she plays a pivotal role in managing key program support units, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for learners at the College of Continuing Education.