Sondra Taylor, owner of Mustang Connection
Sondra Taylor (BA, Behavioral Science, 1997/MA, Counseling Psychology, 1999) is the owner of Mustang Connection, a non-profit organization in Stockton, California that pairs at-risk high school students with rescued mustangs. A history and psychology teacher at Stockton's Franklin High School, Taylor has used her five horses to make a positive influence on dozens of students at a critical juncture in their lives. For more information, visit the Mustang Connection's website at www.mustangconnection.net.
Struck by Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary at age 19, and fighting ever since, Kim Sager (BBA, 2002) has dedicated her life towards raising awareness and research funds for all forms of ovarian cancer. In 2003, she founded the non-profit organization Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary Foundation (GCTF). With the help of volunteers, corporations, and philanthropists, GCTF has raised and sent more than $50,000 directly into the research lab for GCT stromal ovarian cancer research. For more information about the organization, visit its website at www.gctf.org.
Chances are that Mark Minor (BBA, 2004) made life a little more comfortable for hundreds of East Bay residents this summer. He is President of R&R Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in San Jose, CA. The company has 25 employees. Additionally, Minor is Vice President of Penguin Ice Corp., also headquartered in San Jose, which employs 12.
Carolyn McGrew (MS, Ed. Admin., 1988) and her business partner, Kristina Drucker (MS, Ed. Admin.,1988) founded Alton School Inc. in Cypress, California, two years after receiving their degrees. Next month the school will celebrate its16th anniversary. Alton School Inc. has 25 employees, including three teachers currently enrolled at National University in pursuit of their teaching credentials and masters degrees. McGrew, who is the President of Alton School Inc., and Drucker, who is the Chief Financial Officer, currently work with 20 school districts in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
Victor Lopez (GMBA, 2000) is the general manager and partner inGowan SEmillas SA de CV, a company that distributes vegetable seeds in Mexico. In the past three years, sales for Lopez's company have gone from zero to $2.7 million. The projection for this year is $4 million.
Linda George (MS, Ed. Admin., 2004) is President of the Lynwood Teachers Association, serving the Lynwood Unified School District in Lynwood, California, a 4.9 square mile community within Los Angeles County with a population of close to 75,000. The school district consists of 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools and an adult school.
Maria Valmores (MA, Counseling Psychology, 1989) works as a drug court in-home therapist and a volunteer in Orcutt, California. She is chairman of the "Safeguard the Children Committee" for the St Louis de Montfort parish and is also active as a religious education teacher for parish teens. Additionally, Valmores is the secretary and rental co-chairman for the Filipino Community of Santa Maria Valley & Vicinity (Santa Barbara County).
