Issue 2, Volume I
Fall,  2013
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."                                                                   
                                  - Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
Brandman University Graduate Lands New Grants for Program that Helps Military Veterans Find Jobs

by Margo Myers

 
Tacoma, WA: I first met Mike Tassin back in March 2013, when he was running a program at Tacoma Goodwill called Operation: GoodJobs, helping military veterans with their job search. At that time, it was one of only three programs in the country run by Goodwill Industries International and funded by a $1 million grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Last spring, the local program had served 285 people, with 150 of them finding jobs.

Flash forward six months. Operation: GoodJobs has been so successful that the Wal-Mart Foundation just expanded the program into four states and 12 locations with a $5 million grant, including the program in Tacoma. Building upon effective practices developed via the Operation: GoodJobs pilot, Goodwill will scale the expanded program to serve more than 4,000 veterans and military families over three years.

 

"We help people get the job, do training, and then help them move up," said Tassin. "This is a stepping stone for many of them, so they can move up to higher and better paying positions."

 

Tassin is also expanding the local program to include a Veterans Mentorship program with extra support services for wounded warriors, those who have either physical or mental wounds suffered while serving their country. New grants from Boeing and the Wounded Warrior Project are helping to provide the added services. "We're training mentors on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury," said Tassin. "Not on treating it, but on having the mentors know what to look for and what to do." Read on 

 


 

Please Welcome Sarah L. Catz,  

Vice Chancellor of External Affairs

 

 

Sarah L. Catz was appointed Brandman University's Vice Chancellor of External Affairs in September. As part of her new role, she'll head up the Alumni Association of Brandman University - Chapman University College.

A leading advocate and public policy maker, Sarah will apply her wealth of experience to support Brandman and Chapman University's vast community of 75,000 alumni. Sarah said, "I am looking forward to working with the Alumni Association.  By becoming more involved in the Alumni Association, alums will be helping today's students become tomorrow's leaders, and help Brandman achieve its key initiatives."

 

During the past 20 years, Sarah has played a key role in critical infrastructure projects at both local and state levels.  She served on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority from 1992 to 2002, and as its Chairman in 1998. Sarah also was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) and Chairman of the Board in 1995 and 1996. In 1999, Sarah helped former Governor Davis in the transition of his new administration by serving as the acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the state of California as well as the Project Manager for the Governor's Infrastructure Commission, the Commission on Building for the 21st Century.  Sarah currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the CA-NV Super Speed Train Commission that is developing a high-speed rail service between Orange County and Las Vegas. In addition to leading the new External Affairs department, she is also the Director of the Center for Urban Infrastructure at Brandman University.  Sarah can be reached at Catz@brandman.edu.

 

 

Win an Ipad Mini!
Look for the Alumni Survey, coming soon to your Inbox.  Complete it. Return it. And you will be entered in a random drawing to win an Ipad Mini!
 
In This Issue
Mike Tassin's Operation GoodJobs
Meet Sarah L. Catz
Win an iPad Mini!!
San Diego Reception
Cindy Egan Teacher of the Year
Richard Lopes Appointed by Gov Brown
Get Involved!
You are invited to the very first regional alumni event November 13 
 

  classy-dining-ladies.jpg

San Diego, CA


The Alumni Association of  Brandman University - Chapman University System will be holding a reception at the Del Mar, CA home of Dr. Helen Eckmann, Faculty, School of Business & Professional Studies
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
For information or to RSVP please email:  alumni@brandman.edu 

Spotlight Alumnus:
Cindy Egan 

A former civil engineer who earned her teaching credential at Brandman's Walnut Creek campus,
Cindy Egan, was awarded 2013 Teacher of the Year, Contra Costa County, California.  
Cindy teaches biology and environmental science at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, CA.
Cindy Egan
Teacher of the Year

Spotlight Alumnus:
Richard J. Lopes  

Richard J. Lopes,
a Masters in Organizational Leadership Alumnus, has been appointed Chair of the California Gambling Control Commission by CA Governor Jerry Brown. Lopes has previously served as assistant director in the Division of Law Enforcement at the California Department of Justice since 2007, Chief of the Mission Support Branch and Chief of the CA Bureau of Investigation.   
Richard J. Lopes
Chair, CA Gambling Control Commission


Interested in Getting More Involved?  
 
We are always looking for Alumni who can contribute, volunteer, host, or who are passionate about the impact education can make.

We encourage all Alumni to get involved with the Association in some way, so reach out, let us know who you are and we'll help find an optimal opportunity for you to engage.

Contact alumni@brandman.edu 
Learn more about fellow Alums