Milestones

Estrella Serrato '17

Estrella Serrato is a first-gen Latina community leader who has established a community of over 82K+ students and post-grads through her work as a content creator, College + Post Grad Coach, and podcast host of Cafecito con Estrellita® . She guides first-gen scholars through higher education paths, cites many issues Latine students are burdened with: a higher probability of being from a low-income family, the intimidation that comes with not having parents who went to college and who can’t really help you navigate academia, and the isolation Latinx individuals feel at predominantly non-Latinx white institutions, to name a few.

Estrella’s career started in the social media industry in 2019, stemming from her passion for higher education attainment for Latinas, and conducting undergraduate qualitative research. Her dedication to uplifting and educating her community earned her a TEDx Talk, which she gave January 2023. In her talk, Estrella shares her experiences as a first-generation higher education student. Her talk explores the cultural exclusivity in the college setting and how she found her path and earned her place as a graduate.

David E. Guggenheim '89

David E. Guggenheim '89, has published a book, The Remarkable Reefs of Cuba: Hopeful Stories from the Ocean Doctor. The book follows my more than two decades of his work in Cuba.

Linda Moore '69

Linda Moore '69, has published her novel, Attribution which tells the story of an aspiring historian who studies in New York and discovers a hidden painting.

Niki Sandoval '07

has joined WestEd a worldwide consulting firm that works toward improving educational outcomes for youth and adults. She will be focusing on strategic planning and resource development. For the past 11 years she has been Education Director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and previously served as a director of the UC Santa Barbara Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Tom Pamukcu '09

explains in an upcoming op-ed, the importance of clinical trial diversity and poses a call to action for the clinical research field at large.

Lynne Cox '79

Lynne Cox '79, has published a new book titled, Tales of Al The Water Rescue Dog inspired by her adventures in Italy.

Robert M Geraci '05

just published his fourth book, Futures of Artificial Intelligence: Perspectives from India and the United States (Oxford 2022). The book is the result of research conducted over the course of two Fulbright-Nehru research awards.

Brain C. Wilson '96

has published, "The California Days of Ralph Waldo Emerson" (May 27, 2022), which traces the “Sage of Concord’s” journey across the American West in his final years. Engaging and compelling, part biography and part travelogue, the book follows Emerson as he takes in breathtaking vistas along the Pacific Coast, spends days with a young John Muir around Yosemite, soaks up Napa Valley’s hot springs, explores San Francisco’s Chinatown, and encounters a diversity of communities and cultures that would challenge his Yankee prejudices.

Meagan (Christiansen) Bainbridge '01

has been selected to participate in the Leadership Sacramento Class of 2022. Meagan is a Weintraub shareholder and member of the Labor & Employment and Litigation groups. Leadership Sacramento is a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation that develops community-minded business and civic leaders of tomorrow.

Victoria Kastner '89

Victoria Kastner '89, among her many accomplishments during her three decade career as Hearst Castle’s official historian, UCSB alum Victoria Kastner wrote several books on the magnificent estate and its storied inhabitants. Now, in her forthcoming book (March), Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect, she is devoting her attention solely to the woman who envisioned and built the mansion.

Michelle Iwasaki '04

earns $25,000 Milken Educator Award for empowering Honolulu teachers and raising achievement for students.

Dawn Michaels '80

Dawn Michaels O’Bar '80, published a new book, COVID 2020 A Year Like No Other: A roller coaster ride of losses, challenges, and opportunities. The author shares her experiences during the year and includes interviews from others.

Nicole Starosielski '07

has published Media Hot and Cold (Duke University Press, December 2021). Starosielski, a professor of media, culture, and communication at NYU, is best known for her 2015 book on the history of undersea cables, The Undersea Network. She received her PhD in Film and Media Studies from UCSB in 2010.

J. Ward Anderson '84

J. Ward Anderson '84, has published their first book, Misplaced Your Body which tells about ESP, reincarnation, and the human spirit.

Jeff Levin '90

Jeff Levin '90, was promoted to vice president of distribution for Care Solutions at OneAmerica®. The 25-year financial professional, a thought leader in the long-term care industry, now leads a team of divisional vice presidents, regional sales directors and managers. Levin also oversees the account management team in the distribution, sale, and support of the company’s Care Solutions product line. Levin, who joined OneAmerica in 2019, previously was a divisional vice president, responsible for expansion of Care Solutions products, including life and annuity asset-based long-term care products.

Gregory Ruiz '80

Gregory Ruiz '80 has been announced as a finalist in the 2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (the Sammies), otherwise known as the "Oscars" of government service. The Sammies are presented by the nonpartisan, non-profit Partnership for Public Service. Gregory is one of 29 finalists. The Sammies recognize the unsung heroes in our federal government who have made phenomenal contributions to the health, safety and prosperity of our country. They were honored at the 2021 Sammies Award show.

Alexandria (Ali) Jimenez '14

is currently president of Columbia Law's Latinx Law Students Association and a staff member of the Columbia Law Review. She shares her inspiration for going to law school, her advice to new law students, and more!

Reg Spittle '74

Reg Spittle '74, shares his backpacking adventures on four European long-distance trails in Trippin’ Through My 60s. The paths: the Alps’ Tour du Mont Blanc, Scotland’s West Highland Way, Italy’s Way of St. Francis, and England’s South West Coast Path.

Kristine (Fowler) Cirby '86

Kristine (Fowler '88) Cirby, received the Marin Trial Lawyers Association's 2021 President's Award on September 23, 2021 for her career-long commitment to assisting families and children in need of critical legal services. Congressman Jared Huffman ’86 assisted in introducing the award through a video presentation.

Jeff Baglio '90

Jeff Baglio '90, received recognition from BTI Consulting Group for providing superior service to clients in its 2021 BTI M&A Client Service All-Star report. Baglio is the managing partner of DLA Piper’s San Diego offices. In his practice, he represents both mature and emerging technology, healthcare, life sciences and consumer products companies in all facets of their business, including mergers and acquisitions, financing, and general strategic and corporate counseling.

Justin Balser '97

an experienced litigator and compliance attorney, has joined Troutman Pepper’s nationally recognized Consumer Financial Services Practice Group as a partner. Balser joins from Akerman where he was managing partner of the firm’s Denver office. Balser works with financial institutions, mortgage lenders, loan servicers, and other credit-related entities throughout the United States on consumer finance litigation and compliance matters. He previously served as legal counsel and advisor to senior management at Lehman Brothers’ mortgage subsidiary, Aurora Loan Services LLC and its affiliated companies.

Steven James Bartlett '68

Steven James Bartlett ’68, has published a massive philosophical treatise, “Critique of Impure Reason: Horizons of Possibility and Meaning.” The nearly 900-page study seeks to offer new and compelling solutions to a wide range of problems that have occupied philosophers for millennia. The book’s central focus is the unavoidable limitations of knowledge, reference, and meaning. Renowned German philosopher and physicist Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker contributed the book’s Foreword. Bartlett received his Master’s degree in philosophy from UCSB and then his Ph.D. from the Université de Paris.

Lin Loring '72

Lin Loring '72 has been inducted into the Intercollegiate Women’s Tennis Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place in Williamsburg, VA at the William & Mary Indoor Tennis Center. Loring was the winningest women’s tennis coach in NCAA Division 1 history. He coached women’s tennis at UCSB after his graduation and then went on to coach for 30 years at the University of Indiana. He was twice named national women’s tennis coach of the year and won nine Big 10 championships.

John Lardas Modern '03

is working on his new book "Neuromatic: Or, A Particular History of Religion and the Brain". In this book, John Modern offers a powerful and original critique of neurology’s pivotal role in religious history.

Genna Promnick '12

recently joined Downey Brand as an associate attorney. Genna joins the firm with several years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender in the Northern California area where she worked for the Solano County Alternate Public Defender’s Office and most recently for Placer County’s Public Defender’s Office. During her tenure as a Deputy Public Defender, she litigated numerous misdemeanors and felonies, including DUIs , domestic violence actions, and juvenile cases. Genna’s time working as a juvenile criminal defense attorney helps position her to excel while practicing family law.