Class Notes
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June 2025
Philip Carlisle, ’13, began writing during his time at CBU when a friend asked him to tell her a story.
Fast forward sixteen years and those first ten pages are now six novels and he’s preparing
to publish the first book late this year or early 2026.
Jennifer Norris, ’14, received a master’s degree in health informatics and is working as a clinical afterhours
supervisor for a hospital in Ontario, Canada. She previously spent 5 years in Quality
Management/Population Health in San Joaquin County. “It’s been a journey,” she says,
“but I have found my purpose!”
Mariela Morales, ’14 and ’18, was selected for recognition at the 38th Annual Multilingual Recognition Dinner Program for Redlands Unified School District. She received this award for her hard work and superior dedication in promoting the quality of education for language minority students.
Anthony Ray Cardenas, ’19 and ’20, received his white coat from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine signifying
the transition from didactics to clinical practice. He will start treating patients
as soon as July 1, marking the end of his second year and start of his third year
of dental school.
After Sadie Hackford, ’24 and ’25, earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership this April, she began a new
chapter working in athletic ticketing in Long Beach. She is incredibly grateful to
be starting a career in the field she has been dreaming of. She says, “God has been
present in every step of the journey, even when I could not see it.”
Dr. Paul Saldana, ’24, has been appointed as a tenured track Assistant Professor of Business for the Fresno Pacific University School of Graduate & Professional Studies. Dr. Saldana attainted his Ed.D. at CBU in 2024. He has previously taught at Fresno Pacific as an Instructor rank, Adjunct Faculty, and most recently in a one-year term as Assistant Professor.
May 2025
Marc Machado, ’11, was named WAC Golf Coach of the year this May. He has been named golf coach of the
year three times during his time as the head women’s golf coach at CBU: two times
PacWest Coach of the Year and once as WAC Coach of the year.
David Namazi, ’12, served four years on active duty with the 25th Infantry division in Hawaii. He was
medically separated in 2002, earning combat service ribbons, as well as other awards
and accolades. He completed his bachelor’s in business administration at California
Baptist University and has a graduate level education in entrepreneurship from UCLA.
David is currently married with three children and is CEO of DVBE Insurance & Financial
Services LLC.
Aarika (Petersen) Hofer, ’13 and ’16, and her husband, Jesse, are expecting a baby girl this month.
Melodie (Hammarstrom) Monroe, ’15, and Isaac Monroe, ’14, are proud parents to two amazing boys: James (2.5) and Luke (7 months).
Grace (Crosby) Utomo, ’15 and ’19, and Ivan Utomo, ’14 and ’17, are releasing their second book, "Hello, God: Seeking the Lord When Words Fall Short"
on May 25. The book is a 31-day devotional inspired by Grace's experience following
a difficult accident.
Leanna (Sahagun) Torres, ’19, was offered a role at the Walt Disney Company to join their Communications, Public
Affairs team.
Sara Marroquin, ’20, accepted a summer paid law clerk position with the San Bernardino District Attorney's
office.
Emily Neal, ’20, had a recent “small world moment,” running into a fellow Lancer in France. During
a tour of D-Day sites in Normandy, France, she met current CBU student Logan Foley,
who is in Spain with the CBU study abroad program. Emily is a now a teacher at a school
in Austin, Texas and was leading a group of students on a WWII European tour. The
included photo shows Logan and Emily in front of the church paratrooper memorial in
the town of Sainte-Mère-Église.
Destiny Lim, ’22, graduated with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy on May 17.
Adedotun Abiola Akinsunmi, ’22, is thrilled to share two wonderful milestones with you all. First, he has officially
secured his permanent residency in the United States. This marks a significant step
forward in his journey, and he is deeply grateful for this opportunity. Second, his
family has grown! They are overjoyed to welcome their little princess, bringing their
family size to five. Her arrival fills their hearts with immense joy and gratitude.
Elizabeth (Maldonado) Handley, ’22, is excited to announce the birth of her baby girl.
Brianna Bea Rios, ’23, graduated from Gateway Seminary with a Master's in Theological Studies. She received
a Zondervan Award for excellence in scholarship in Theology.
Dr. Thomasina Mosley Sisay, ’24, was recently promoted to the Division Chief of Policy, Leadership & Staff Development at LA County Department of Children and Family Services.
Lorena Boyzo, ’24, was hired with San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health two months after graduating and in the same department where she completed her second year of her internship. She also recently passed the Law & Ethics exam, which is required for licensure.
April 2025
Ricky A. Robins, ’76, passed away on November 17, 2024 in Arkansas, where he moved with his wife, Mandy,
after retirement. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, three sons, Luke, Micah,
and John, four grandchildren, Olivia, Ellie, Ivy, and Jordyn, with one more on the
way.
Carolyn (Bennett) Cummings, ’05, presented on “Postvention Supports for Mental Health Professionals” for the Christian
Association for Psychological Sciences conference in Denver.
Connor Smith’s, ’15, production company, Big Picture Entertainment, recently launched a new Disney-themed
show called “DCOM: Live!,” a tribute show covering Disney Channel Original Movies
and music of the 2000s. Their first show was performed in San Diego, and they're currently
booking tour dates all over the country. “Producing and arranging music that I'm passionate
about was a skill that I really honed in my time at CBU,” he says, “and I'm so grateful
that I've been able to take that passion to a global level.”
Nolan Bartlett Kistler, ’18, and his wife, Katarina Kistler, ’18, met in 2017 when they a stumbled into each other while walking around campus. They
married in 2022. They welcomed their first child, Hunter Bartlett Kistler, born December
1, 2024, sharing the same birthday as his father. After CBU, Nolan earned his Juris
Doctorate, passed the bar exam, and now works for his father practicing personal injury
law. Katarina earned a master’s degree in business administration and is currently
serving as a Senior Account Manager at UPS.
Butch Maier, ’21, was named managing editor of RV News magazine, based near Denver. He is finishing a year as visiting assistant teaching professor of journalism and communication at Northern Kentucky University. As an indie filmmaker, he has completed seven movies.
Dwayne Riley, ’22, was accepted to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at West Coast University
of Graduate Studies and will begin September 2025.
In November 2024, Mervin Francisco-Passarella, ’23, was promoted to Chief Nurse Executive at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center.
After he completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at California Baptist University,
he took the next step and pursued his Nurse Executive-Advanced Board Certification
(NEA-BC). He says: “To my fellow Lancers: If the door doesn’t open the first time,
don’t walk away—knock again, and keep growing while you wait.”
March 2025
Since graduating from CBU, Angela (Sanicola) O'Neill, ’04, has taught, including at CBU, served as the Fine Arts Director for Crossroads Christian
School and as the Arts Director for Mariners Church. Her passion for sharing the love
of Jesus through creative expression has led her to write scripts, a musical, speak
at events, lead ministries, and now, release her first book: Unspoken Word: One Moment With Jesus Changes Everything. This book weaves together storytelling from her life and Scripture, bringing to
life 12 biblical encounters with Jesus.
Marian A. (Crotinger) Jacobs, ’08, has a book releasing from B&H on July 1, 2025, titled, On Magic and Miracles: A Theological Guide to Discerning Fictional Magic. It's currently available for preorder.
Brenda Arce, ’13, and her family (including two of her children currently attending CBU) are celebrating
a new Baby Lancer! Little Heavanah just turned one this past February. Brenda says,
“She is heaven sent :) Go Lancers!”
Khristopher Wayne Crumby, ’14, has been working at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for the past six
years. He was recently moved into a lead position within the Felony Prosecution Unit
with an emphasis on prison crimes. His new responsibilities include mentoring new
and up-and-coming attorneys who are ready to take the next step in their careers.
He was recently featured in the first episode of a new social media campaign by the
DA’s Office called “Origin Stories” where they highlight and tell inspiring stories
about attorneys and their journey to becoming a prosecutor.
Jacob Arreola, ’16, and his wife, Alexandra, have the honor of pastoring Awaken Church in Fort Worth,
TX. When they took over a year and a half ago, the church was on the brink of closing
its doors. Today, it has come back to life, is filled up with new and matured believers
and is making a significant impact in their city. Jacob says the longer he’s been
out of CBU, the more he sees the impact it had on his life and the various ministry
opportunities God has allowed him.
Raquel Ketring, ’24, has accepted an RN residency at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in Acute Care Pediatrics.
February 2025
Heidi (Joos) Sivonen, ’00, and her husband Mikko have been serving the Great Commission in Finland under the
auspices of the International Mission Board for almost 19 years. She and Mikko have
been married for more than 25 years. They have an oldest son at Masters University,
another son about to graduate High School, and are homeschooling three children this
spring state-side until May 2025.
In November of 2024, Christa (Ereksen) Banton, ’04, published research in the American Journal of Qualitative Research on how women are treated in the computer technology field. She found that many still feel lack of belonging as the field is heavily dominated by men. Her work is titled, “Examining the Retention and Exodus of Women in Technology.”
Robyn (Glessner) Luna, ’05, and her husband, Michael, have a little Lancer, Luke Luna, who was born July 5th.
He is their first child. He is five months old in the included photo.
Deana (Hodgeson) Kahle, ’09, was recently promoted to Executive Director at The Counseling Team International.
They serve first responders and are "dedicated to serving those who serve" by providing
short-term term counseling, training, and critical incident stress management to over
300 public safety agencies.
On January 31, 2025, Sarah (Olvera) Willis, ’10, and her husband, Kevin, welcomed their baby boy, Isaac, via embryo adoption.
Annabel (Zandi) Koher, ’15, and her husband, Ryan, are blessed to share that they welcomed their first daughter, Abigail Lee Koher,
on December 10th. She joins her two older brothers, Elias (five) & Hezekiah (four).
They are now preparing to return their family to their mission field in Mozambique,
following Ryan’s wrongful detainment in 2022/2023 and the closure of the case with
no charges in October 2024.
Mark Sigman II, ’19, adopted a loving pooch named Ash, who is his new companion in his path moving forward.
He also turned 32 and got fully vested in RUHS Riverside County.
Janet (Alvarez) Calva, ’21, married her husband Emmanuel in 2021 during her last Semester of Nursing School. She
also started a podcast named "The Emman & Jan Show" in 2022 as well as a brand business
in 2023 called "Physically Fit Mentally Insane" that promotes physical and mental
health. In 2024, she began a baking journey and initiated a baking page called "Sourdoughbeningins"
on Instagram. She and her husband are always up to something, and it has not always
been easy but, with God by their side, they have been able to enjoy the journey so
far.
Analy (Garcia) Jarboe, ’21, and Kyle Jarboe, ’18, welcomed Hudson Barrett Jarboe on December 17, 2024.
Zara Melcher, ’22, and her husband, Michael, welcomed their first baby, Remi Louise, on January 25, 2025.
Justine Bentley, ’23, is in her second year of teaching, and is clearing her credential in a few months. Since she has joined her current school, her work and efforts have been greatly valued. Her department officials loved some of her implemented strategies so much that they have decided to incorporate them into the curriculum for the English 4 course next school year.
Kinika Hesterly, ’23, and her husband, David, have started a mentorship company, Professional Success Mentorship,
to assist aspiring professionals with career development resources and small business
owners with content creation. Her mother, Lorean, passed away from cancer a few months
shy of her graduation in 2023. She was a dedicated Christian and an alumna of the
same Public Administration program at CBU. She is greatly missed.
Kelli M. Hicks, ’24, is very thankful to receive the Honor Society Induction Certificate during her undergrad studies online in CBU’s Graphic Design & Digital Media program. She is now continuing her studies in one of the graduate level programs. “Thank you to all of the staff and professors who helped me with my work.” She says, “Ms. Grace has been a great support! Also, there are many great professors there, Professor Park and others who really help the students in those programs! Thanks, CBU!”
Joseph Lindstrom, ’24, graduated with his Master’s in Education and received a pay raise in his role as an Adapted Physical Education Teacher at Pacific Coast Academy.
Alayna Isabel (Flores) Roland, ’24, and her husband, Sean, were married while she was in the midst of her final semester
of the Online MSCP program. Their wedding day was Friday, November 8, 2024.
January 2025
Mildred Wier-Jarvis, ’55, passed into spirit on July 11, 2024. Following a 23-year career with Bank of America, she and her husband of 68 years, Bruce Jarvis, ’60, moved to the Oregon coast. Until her death, much of her time was spent in volunteer service to the community.
Lesleigh J. Tolin, ’93, began her work in graduate school in her early 40's and graduated with her MS in Counseling Psychology. Today, she’s enjoying her solo private practice as a Grief/Loss Specialist in the Woodland Hills/Encino area of Southern CA.
Michelle (Jacobson) Bello, ’96, and her husband Jon Bello, ’96, announce the marriage of Matthew Clegg, ’24, and Abigail Bello, ’24, on May 5, 2024. Many of their CBU friends were there, along with their church family
from Fellowship Baptist Church.
Adaobi Gwacham, ’08, opened her second Chick-fil-A location in June 2023 and celebrated 10 years of her
first location in December 2024.
Stephanie (Atayde) Risinger, ’09, and her husband, Michael Risinger, ’12, moved from California to Kansas 10 years ago. In September of 2024, she began a new
role at MidAmerica Nazarene University as the Director of Student Counseling & Wellness.
Stephanie supervises the graduate students who provide counseling to the undergraduate
students. She also provides training and serves as mental health consultant to staff
and faculty. This semester she was given the opportunity to serve as adjunct faculty
in the Master of Arts in Counseling program.
Ali (Barnes) Bossert, ’15, is an adjunct English professor at CBU and her husband, Jim Bossert, ’16, is the CBU Head Swim/Dive Coach. They met while on the swim team at CBU while graduate
students. On December 22, 2024, they welcomed their second son, Samuel James Bossert.
CAVAD alumni Jordan Singer, ’15, won 6 ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) top shelf book cover awards in 2024.
On December 12, 2024, Joe Pradetto, ’16, was sworn in to the Palm Desert City Council.
Sydney Witt, ’16, completed San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Emerging Leader Program. This was a one-year
leadership training program where she took classes on how to be a better decision
maker, handle difficult conversations, and more. Sydney ended the program by conducting
a presentation with her cohort to their Executive team about a new team member benefit
initiative which was accepted.
Amber (Korras) Alvarenga, ’18, graduated from CBU with her BS in Criminal Justice in 2016 and her MA in Forensic Psychology in 2018. She recently developed a mentorship program for mental health professionals as well as students working towards entering the field. The program is designed to help mental health professionals overcome self-doubt and imposter feelings.
Since graduating, Harlan Bartlett Kistler II, ’18, has become an English Teacher and the Head Wrestling Coach at John W. North High School
in Riverside, CA. Since taking these roles, he has coached his teams to three League
titles, three CIF Individual Champions, five Master's Place winners including one
Champion, five State Qualifiers, two State medalists (5th and 2nd respectively). His
team holds two Academic Team titles, and they are currently ranked 18th in the state
for wrestling. Harlan has worked as an AP teacher, ELD Teacher, Academy Teacher, English
teacher and a PE teacher.
Nicole Sinesio, ’21, and her husband Kenton McLain, ’22, met at Cal Baptist just two short weeks after their freshman year began in 2018.
They have just closed escrow on their first home in Fallbrook, CA. “We wanted to wait
until we could afford the land, life, and wedding of our dreams,” she says. “We were
not financially stable enough until now to make that happen. Now we are going to be
seeing the fruits of our labor in the avocado capital of the world!”
Jenna (Olson) Napoli, ’22, and her husband, Tim, were married on November 15, 2024.
Alicia Perkins, ’22, became a licensed marriage and family therapist in December 2024. She also got engaged
to a wonderful godly man, Phillip Inzunza, a few days before Christmas. “God has been
blessing me greatly since graduating with a master’s in counseling psychology from
CBU!” She says, “Thank you so much! Go Lancers!”
Tiara Richardson, ’22, is Director of Student Services with San Bernardino City Unified School District and
is wrapping up her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership this month. Additionally, she
was just accepted into Harvard’s Executive Education Leadership program on Behavioral
Insight and Public Policy.
Madison “Madey” Jewel (Liscio) Truman, ’22, is a certified massage therapist and started a travel massage business. She has a
love for pottery and shortly after getting her massage therapy certification, her
pottery business, Madey Made Pottery Co., took off.
Michael Metzler Jr., ’23, co-produced and co-directed his current short film, “Portrait of a Smile,” which won
16 awards out of 18 festival selections, including Best Drama in Reale Film Festival,
and Best Indie Short at the World Film Festival in Cannes. He’s also waiting to hear
back from some significant Oscar-qualifying film festivals. Michael is currently in
the pre-production process for his next project, which will be a feature film.
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