Welcome to SEC’s 2019 Professional Development Conference!

Friday, December 6th, 2019
Welcome to SEC’s 2019 Professional Development Conference!
Our first two conferences were jam packed with learning and fun—making them truly memorable events! We are looking forward to Success Education Colleges’ (SEC’s) third annual Professional Development Conference on Friday, December 6th at the Ontario Convention Center! As always, our goal with this event is to invest in our Team Members as they give their professional energy to our Students every single day. It will always hold true that “Our Students Are at Their Best When We’re at Our Best”!
It’s our phenomenal Team Members, our HiROs, who have made it possible for us to remain committed to our mission of “Training Students in short-term programs for gainful employment” for more than five decades. This Professional Development Conference (PDC) is an important way that SEC continues to provide opportunities for you to continue to learn and grow in your role—all so we can keep changing Students’ lives!
Similar to the last two years, the conference format will include a few General Sessions along with Learning Lab choices. The line-up of speakers is simply incredible and we cannot wait to hear what they have to share. Our esteemed presenters include Matt Stewart, Co-founder and CEO of National Service Group; Edward Cramp, Partner at Duane Morris, LLP; Dean M. Viana, Beverly Hills Fire Captain; Tammy Bailey and Jackie Post, both EVPs for Exacta Media; and Rachel Friend, Mindset Coach and Relationship Expert; along with many others!
You can personalize the day by attending the General Sessions and then selecting from fifteen different Learning Labs on a variety of relevant topics—allowing you to choose what best fits your role and learning goals. We are excited to share that we have different Learning Lab tracks this year, which are: Nursing and Faculty Development, Leadership, and a Compliance track. Take some time to dive into the details of the conference below—I know it will be a day to remember!
Warmly, Mitchell Fuerst
Schedule
Friday, December 6th, 2019 | 7:15am–4:35pm
Schedule Legend
The Gold Star: Learning Lab Leadership Track
The Red Stethoscope: Learning Labs for Nursing and All
Other Faculty Track
The Green Check: Learning Lab Compliance Track
7:15am–8:15am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30am–10:15am Opening General Session (Ballroom B & C) Color Guard Presenting the Flag for the National Anthem
Mitchell Fuerst, President, SEC
State of SEC
Matt Stewart, Co-founder & CEO of National Service Group
Lessons in Leadership from a Serial Entrepreneur
Coming Soon!
10:15am–10:30am Break
10:30am–11:20am Learning Lab Block #1
Elizabeth Herron, Vice President of Solutions, Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions (CARS) (Room 103)
Broadening Our Students’ Horizons—Opportunities in Health Care are Limitless
Health care remains one of the fastest-growing segments of our economy. Our Students are well positioned to take advantage of the limitless opportunities that lie ahead. During this Learning Lab, we will explore emerging trends using health care employment verification data from across the country. At the conclusion of this Learning Lab, you will be so excited to get back to your Students to share just how bright their futures look!
Rachel Friend, Mindset Coach and Relationship Expert (Room 100AB)
The Secret to Not Taking Communicating so Personally
Does your inner voice have your back or do you find that you’re constantly making mountains out of molehills? In this Learning Lab, you will discover the fine line between perception and reality and how distinguishing between the two will allow you to get to know yourself and others on a whole new level. It’s a game changer for your personal life and professional life here at SEC!
Katherine (Kate) Lee Carey, Esq., Special Counsel, Cooley, LLP (Room 105)
Constant Compliance…the SEC Mantra!
We all know that we operate in a highly regulated and complicated sector of higher education – and because we are in the private sector, we live under additional scrutiny. It’s not always a level playing across higher education, and that’s why providing an excellent education with exceptional student services and outcomes must be combined with maintaining regulatory compliance every single day. Constant compliance is not only an SEC Core Value, but a Mantra that we live by.Understanding the landscape of higher education means seeing the big picture. It means recognizing that even small issues can become major concerns quickly. It means knowing the rules, standards and regulations and how to play your part. After all, We Will Always Stay Totally Compliant with our Regulators!
In this Learning Lab, we will discuss the current state of higher education, the changing legislative and regulatory requirements, and how it all ties together. And, Kate promises to make you laugh!
Elizabeth Augusta, RN, MSN (Room 200AB - 2nd Floor)
Not Just a Patient: Understanding the Importance of Patient Satisfaction
BRN Approved CEU: 1hr
Using an actual case study, this Learning Lab will highlight the impact of patient/provider communication and its relationship to patient safety, federally mandated patient satisfaction survey scores, medical malpractice rates, and patient compliance with treatment regimens. Examples of poor communication will be provided, as well as examples of how to improve communication with patients through a few simple steps. If you are a nurse educator, you won’t want to miss this Learning Lab!
Valerie Shay, SEC Associate Director of Faculty Development (Room 106)
The Disney Way: It Can Be All Fun and Games
Everyone likes to laugh and have a good time. The classroom is no different. Why do you think our fondest memories of school begin in kindergarten? There was a lot of play, but there was also structure and objectives. We learn from storytelling, visuals, role plays, games, and making memories through laughing. Backward planning can help Instructors obtain their goals and objectives by developing lessons that are engaging and interactive. Established guidelines and clear expectations are essential components to creating a classroom filled with infectious energy. This interactive Learning Lab will share strategies to maintain classroom management and have loads of effective learning fun during every class!
11:20am–11:35am Break
11:35am–12:25pm Learning Lab Block #2
Elizabeth Herron, Vice President of Solutions, Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions (CARS) (Room 103)
Broadening Our Student’s Horizons—Opportunities in Health Care are Limitless
Health care remains one of the fastest-growing segments of our economy. Our Students are well positioned to take advantage of the limitless opportunities that lie ahead. During this Learning Lab, we will explore emerging trends using health care employment verification data from across the country. At the conclusion of this Learning Lab, you will be so excited to get back to your Students to share just how bright their futures look!
Rachel Friend, Mindset Coach and Relationship Expert (Room 100AB)
The Key to Navigating Conflict Confidently
Do you run from conflict or try to avoid it all costs? In this Learning Lab, you will have the opportunity to learn about the secret to putting an end to your struggles with conflict, so you can find more joy in the journey and connect more deeply with others both at home and here at SEC!
Captain Dean Viana, Beverly Hills Fire Captain and SEC’s Disaster Preparedness Consultant (Room 105)
The Importance of Ongoing Emergency Preparedness on Every SEC Campus
Several years ago, Success Education Colleges created our own Emergency Preparedness Program. It started with creating an Emergency plan for each campus and training Team Members on the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency. We continue to have these regular Emergency Preparedness Training sessions on every campus. The topics have included: earthquakes, the use of our AEDs, use of our Stop the Bleed Kits, and Active Shooter scenarios.
SEC was ahead of this curve, as the Institutional Accreditor for our NWCs, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), has very recently written standards for Emergency Preparedness for all ACCSC accredited colleges.
In this Learning Lab, come see what’s next for SEC pertaining to our Emergency Preparedness and how you can protect yourself, our Students, and your fellow Team Members when the unthinkable happens.
Dr. Margaret Avila, SEC RN Theory Professor (Room 106)
Liberating the Leader in Everyone
BRN Approved CEU: 1hr
This Learning Lab focuses on behaviors and practices each of us can use to enable those around us to achieve extraordinary things. You, too, can be a leader by cultivating and practicing these tools.
Based on research conducted since 1982, Kouzes and Posner identified five fundamental practices common to extraordinary leadership. They also determined leadership is not necessarily about personality, but about behavior and an observable set of skills and abilities. This is true despite differences in culture, gender, age or other variables. You will come away from this Learning Lab with valuable tools for your development as a leader.
Dr. Margaret Avila, SEC RN Theory Professor (Room 106)
Liberating the Leader in Everyone
BRN Approved CEU: 1hr
This Learning Lab focuses on behaviors and practices each of us can use to enable those around us to achieve extraordinary things. You, too, can be a leader by cultivating and practicing these tools.
Based on research conducted since 1982, Kouzes and Posner identified five fundamental practices common to extraordinary leadership. They also determined leadership is not necessarily about personality, but about behavior and an observable set of skills and abilities. This is true despite differences in culture, gender, age or other variables. You will come away from this Learning Lab with valuable tools for your development as a leader.
Dr. Katherine Cylke, DNP, RN, SEC Director of Nursing (VN) (Room 200AB - 2nd Floor)
Stress: What Matters is What You Believe
Stress is a concept that is entrenched in our everyday lives and personal vocabularies.
Starting at a very early age, we learn that stress is bad and to be avoided.
The goal of this Learning Lab is introduce participants to an alternative belief about stress that is more useful. This Learning Lab will include a fun activity to promote awareness about what stresses different personality types and how they communicate when stressed. The presentation will end with a guided visualization exercise.
12:25pm–12:35pm Break
12:35pm–1:10pm Breaking Bread with HiROs Here at the PDC! (Ballroom B & C)
1:10pm–1:55pm Midday General Session (Ballroom B & C)
Tom Leu, MS/CPC, founder of The Education Edge™
Seeing Things
Literally through Lenses; Figuratively despite Filters. How New Perceptions shift Perspectives and Shape New Outcomes in Higher EducationTom Leu, MS/CPC delivers a multimedia presentation featuring selections from his published photography works that challenge higher education professionals to begin “seeing things” differently by shifting perceptions. The resulting new perspectives produce improved communication competencies that elevate leadership effectiveness resulting in improved recruitment, retention, and student learning outcomes.
2:05pm–2:50pm Learning Lab Block #3
Keith Zakarin, Esq., Managing Partner, Duane Morris, LLP (Room 103)
The Five Reasons Why Colleges Hire Me
Yes, Ed is an attorney. So, why would we ask Keith to come and speak at our PDC? Well, sometimes we have to utilize Keith’s services, because we have an occasional legal situation with a student. And, Keith is firmly convinced that all legal situations actually start in the classroom. In fact, he has more than 20 years of experience that prove this point. In this Learning Lab, Keith will actually explore the five reasons colleges, like SEC, hire him. You will be so glad you learned these five reasons, as you will know what to look out for throughout your career with SEC!Tom Leu, MS/CPC, founder of The Education Edge™ (Room 100AB)
“Seeing Things” Q&A with Tom Leu
Description: Bring your questions and join Tom for a discussion about how and why “seeing things” more clearly in higher education positively affects communications specific to student and staff retention.
Dr. Kathleen Rosales and Dr. Kimberly Porter, SEC RN Clinical/Theory Professors (Room 105)
Failure to Rescue: Teaching Nursing Students How to Avoid the Perils of Patient Catastrophe
BRN Approved CEU: 1hr
In this Learning Lab, Faculty Team Members will return to their Campus with exemplars of evidenced-based teaching strategies that prepare nursing students in recognizing signs and symptoms of clinical deterioration and how to intervene effectively.
Failure to rescue hemodynamically unstable patients among new nursing grads is a real and significant phenomenon in the acute care hospital setting. Teaching nursing students how to confidently recognize signs and symptoms of clinical deterioration, from early to late, then demonstrating competent interventions through the use of varied medical emergency simulations, can contribute to improved future outcomes of hospitalized patients.
Even though this Learning Lab is focused on our nursing students, it is also helpful for all faculty from our other disciplines, not just nurse educators.
Valerie Shay, SEC Associate Director of Faculty Development (Room 106)
The First 15: Establishing Tone and Purpose
BRN Approved CEU: 1hr
The first 15 minutes of every session sets the tone and purpose for the class. From greeting Students by name, making connections, having the agenda and a clear objective on the board to establishing outcomes. The First 15 is more than waiting for Students to arrive. The First 15 is designed to honor those who arrive on time (or even better, those who arrive early). Students quickly learn they need to arrive on time to class or they will miss out on key explanations and, in some cases, perhaps quizzes, or joining a small group with people they like, or something they value (an ideal lab station, etc.). This Learning Lab will demonstrate the key components of the First 15.
Tammy Bailey and Jackie Post, EVPs for Exacta Media (Room 200AB)
Where Do Our Students Come From?
Do you ever wonder where our Students come from? We all know they are from diverse backgrounds and have many barriers to success, which is exactly where our talent as a Team comes into play! In this Learning Lab, you will gain a better understanding of the demographics and psychographics of our student body. Also, you will have the chance to learn more about how complex SEC’s strategy is to acquire new Students—the Students who we are so privileged to serve!
2:55pm–3:25pm Holiday Hot Chocolate & Cookie Social (North Lobby)
3:25pm–4:35pm Closing General Session (Ballroom B and C)
- Community Based Organization’s Donation Results
- SEC’s Traditional Annual Team Member Recognition:
- 2019 PACESETTERS
- Years of Service Awards
- Campuses of Distinction
- 2019 FIRST CIRCLE Inductees
Presenters
Meet our esteemed presenters. Click on any of them to learn more!
(Updated often, please be sure to check back)

- Keith Zakarin serves a team lead of the Duane Morris Education industry group and is a member of the firm’s Partners Board. Mr. Zakarin exclusively represents private postsecondary schools and colleges. His representation of these schools nationwide includes such diverse areas of law as student and employee litigation, regulatory and administrative counseling and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, accreditation counseling and advocacy, employment counseling and risk management.
- Zakarin is not just an attorney representing colleges; he also owned and operated an accredited private college for thirteen years.
- Zakarin is a 1986 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of California at San Diego.
- Keith Zakarin serves a team lead of the Duane Morris Education industry group and is a member of the firm’s Partners Board. Mr. Zakarin exclusively represents private postsecondary schools and colleges. His representation of these schools nationwide includes such diverse areas of law as student and employee litigation, regulatory and administrative counseling and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, accreditation counseling and advocacy, employment counseling and risk management.
- Zakarin is not just an attorney representing colleges; he also owned and operated an accredited private college for thirteen years.
- Zakarin is a 1986 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of California at San Diego.

Matthew Kennedy Stewart is co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, and SMJJ Investments. NSG has grown from a small Southern California-based business into an international company located throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to his role at NSG, Matt serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations. He is past chairman of the global board for the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), a worldwide-business network comprising over 14,000 leading entrepreneurs representing more than 142 chapters located in 46 countries.
Matt is consistently recognized for his leadership and management expertise. He has earned the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal and the OC Metro 40 Under 40, and he was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Finalist. He has traveled extensively across the world speaking on the topics of entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and business development. In particular, Matt is passionate about mentoring millennials and generation Z. He regularly provides his entrepreneurial insight to high-profile print and online publications. Matt has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur magazine, Inc. magazine, and Fox Business News and on ABC, CBS, and more. Matt is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and lives in Laguna Niguel, California with his wife, Jill, and their two children.
Matthew Kennedy Stewart is co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, and SMJJ Investments. NSG has grown from a small Southern California-based business into an international company located throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to his role at NSG, Matt serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations. He is past chairman of the global board for the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), a worldwide-business network comprising over 14,000 leading entrepreneurs representing more than 142 chapters located in 46 countries.
Matt is consistently recognized for his leadership and management expertise. He has earned the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal and the OC Metro 40 Under 40, and he was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Finalist. He has traveled extensively across the world speaking on the topics of entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and business development. In particular, Matt is passionate about mentoring millennials and generation Z. He regularly provides his entrepreneurial insight to high-profile print and online publications. Matt has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur magazine, Inc. magazine, and Fox Business News and on ABC, CBS, and more. Matt is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and lives in Laguna Niguel, California with his wife, Jill, and their two children.


A truly effective account services professional not only understands the central roles of listening and asking the right questions, but how creative and media play integral parts in ensuring campaign success. Tammy has spent more than two decades honing this craft, guiding industry giants in Healthcare, Education, Finance, and Travel and Hospitality to success. Tammy is proactive in working with cross-functional teams in Digital, Traditional Media, and Tech.
“Service is much more than being there when a client needs you,” explains Tammy. “It’s being proactive in planning and strategy and overturning every stone necessary to push campaign performance.” It’s this approach that is currently achieving outstanding results for EXACTA’s Clients.
A truly effective account services professional not only understands the central roles of listening and asking the right questions, but how creative and media play integral parts in ensuring campaign success. Tammy has spent more than two decades honing this craft, guiding industry giants in Healthcare, Education, Finance, and Travel and Hospitality to success. Tammy is proactive in working with cross-functional teams in Digital, Traditional Media, and Tech.
“Service is much more than being there when a client needs you,” explains Tammy. “It’s being proactive in planning and strategy and overturning every stone necessary to push campaign performance.” It’s this approach that is currently achieving outstanding results for EXACTA’s Clients.

Media buying and planning is a science and an instrumental part of every successful campaign. With veteran media strategist, Jackie Post, at the helm of EXACTA’s omni-channel media services department, every marketing effort is on-target, cost-effective, and aligned perfectly with client objectives.
Over the years, her keen sense of negotiation and her extensive advertising and marketing know-how in both digital and traditional formats have been key in the overall growth and success of our clients in Healthcare, Education, Finance, Travel and Hospitality, and e-Commerce.
“Great creative needs the right platform and audience to succeed,” Jackie professes. “Never underestimate the power of media planning and placement with the right message.”
Media buying and planning is a science and an instrumental part of every successful campaign. With veteran media strategist, Jackie Post, at the helm of EXACTA’s omni-channel media services department, every marketing effort is on-target, cost-effective, and aligned perfectly with client objectives.
Over the years, her keen sense of negotiation and her extensive advertising and marketing know-how in both digital and traditional formats have been key in the overall growth and success of our clients in Healthcare, Education, Finance, Travel and Hospitality, and e-Commerce.
“Great creative needs the right platform and audience to succeed,” Jackie professes. “Never underestimate the power of media planning and placement with the right message.”

Liz Augusta, RN, MSN, LNCC, CPHQ, CPHRM is the Clinical Risk Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She has worked with the Department’s Risk Management and Patient Safety team since completing her training as a Legal Nurse Consultant in 2001. Currently, she assists the Department in multiple roles involving risk management, patient safety, system-wide education, and program development.
Prior to her arrival to Health Services Administration, Liz was the hospital-wide shift Nursing Supervisor, Emergency Department Charge Nurse, and Emergency/Trauma Nurse at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.
Liz is a frequent speaker, both locally and nationally, on several patient safety and risk management topics, with a special interest in the patient perception of medical error in the provision of healthcare. She imparts a unique perspective in her publications and speaking engagements as both a nurse and consumer of healthcare.
Liz Augusta, RN, MSN, LNCC, CPHQ, CPHRM is the Clinical Risk Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She has worked with the Department’s Risk Management and Patient Safety team since completing her training as a Legal Nurse Consultant in 2001. Currently, she assists the Department in multiple roles involving risk management, patient safety, system-wide education, and program development.
Prior to her arrival to Health Services Administration, Liz was the hospital-wide shift Nursing Supervisor, Emergency Department Charge Nurse, and Emergency/Trauma Nurse at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.
Liz is a frequent speaker, both locally and nationally, on several patient safety and risk management topics, with a special interest in the patient perception of medical error in the provision of healthcare. She imparts a unique perspective in her publications and speaking engagements as both a nurse and consumer of healthcare.



Valerie Shay began her teaching career as a middle school English, History, and Drama teacher in Ontario, California while completing her MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Valerie was acknowledged by Inland Empire Magazine as one of the Inland Empire’s Top 10 Teachers as a first year teacher and subsequently became a literacy coach during her 4th year as a classroom teacher. She later served as an ELD coordinator at two Southern California High Schools.
Valerie has gained experience as a developmental reading and composition instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina a technical college and as an ESL instructor and faculty trainer at the College of DuPage in Chicago, Illinois. She has been a lead school reformer mentoring educators and stakeholders in under-performing schools throughout America’s Midwest and served on the AdvancedEd team and helped with the accreditation process for several urban high schools.
Adding international scope to her practice, Valerie worked in China as a teacher-trainer and curriculum designer for Disney English. Upon returning to California, she accepted an English teaching adjunct position at another private sector college before advancing to the role of Director of Education. In August 2019, Valerie joined the SEC team as Associate Director of Faculty Development where she is honored to work alongside dedicated and talented Team Members who serve their communities with both passion and compassion.
Valerie Shay began her teaching career as a middle school English, History, and Drama teacher in Ontario, California while completing her MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Valerie was acknowledged by Inland Empire Magazine as one of the Inland Empire’s Top 10 Teachers as a first year teacher and subsequently became a literacy coach during her 4th year as a classroom teacher. She later served as an ELD coordinator at two Southern California High Schools.
Valerie has gained experience as a developmental reading and composition instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina a technical college and as an ESL instructor and faculty trainer at the College of DuPage in Chicago, Illinois. She has been a lead school reformer mentoring educators and stakeholders in under-performing schools throughout America’s Midwest and served on the AdvancedEd team and helped with the accreditation process for several urban high schools.
Adding international scope to her practice, Valerie worked in China as a teacher-trainer and curriculum designer for Disney English. Upon returning to California, she accepted an English teaching adjunct position at another private sector college before advancing to the role of Director of Education. In August 2019, Valerie joined the SEC team as Associate Director of Faculty Development where she is honored to work alongside dedicated and talented Team Members who serve their communities with both passion and compassion.

Dr. Margaret Avila is a nurse administrator/educator whose practice spans more than forty years. Her practice has followed three pathways: academia, management/administration and clinical specialties in Women’s Health, Gerontology and Public Health Nursing. Dr. Avila graduated from St. Vincent’s College of Nursing which was affiliated with St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s College. She has earned two graduate degrees: in healthcare management from California State University, Los Angeles and nursing from California State University, Long Beach respectively. She attended the University of San Diego for her PhD in nursing.
Dr. Avila consults with leading private and public university nursing programs at A.D.N., B.S.N. and M.S.N. levels. In 2016 she stepped down from the CDU Board of Trustees to assume the position of Term Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing (MMDSON). Her focus was the reinvigoration of the school’s programs, starting with the Entry Level Masters (ELM) Program and including the MSN-FNP and post-masters certificate programs. The key elements included providing an empowering environment that facilitates student focused learning along with faculty driven overview and accountability for student success.
Dr. Avila has served in large healthcare systems administratively, such the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Nursing Director. Under her tenure the nursing department earned a number of awards and national recognition for infrastructure enhancements that directly resulted an innovative public health nursing practice model. This model has been is in many of the community health/public health nursing textbooks.
In addition, her experience with health systems from county level public health nursing departments, to non-profit community clinics has/continues to contribute to the enhanced quality of client care, agencies’ infrastructure efficiencies and maximized the productivity of personnel.
Dr. Margaret Avila is a nurse administrator/educator whose practice spans more than forty years. Her practice has followed three pathways: academia, management/administration and clinical specialties in Women’s Health, Gerontology and Public Health Nursing. Dr. Avila graduated from St. Vincent’s College of Nursing which was affiliated with St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s College. She has earned two graduate degrees: in healthcare management from California State University, Los Angeles and nursing from California State University, Long Beach respectively. She attended the University of San Diego for her PhD in nursing.
Dr. Avila consults with leading private and public university nursing programs at A.D.N., B.S.N. and M.S.N. levels. In 2016 she stepped down from the CDU Board of Trustees to assume the position of Term Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing (MMDSON). Her focus was the reinvigoration of the school’s programs, starting with the Entry Level Masters (ELM) Program and including the MSN-FNP and post-masters certificate programs. The key elements included providing an empowering environment that facilitates student focused learning along with faculty driven overview and accountability for student success.
Dr. Avila has served in large healthcare systems administratively, such the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Nursing Director. Under her tenure the nursing department earned a number of awards and national recognition for infrastructure enhancements that directly resulted an innovative public health nursing practice model. This model has been is in many of the community health/public health nursing textbooks.
In addition, her experience with health systems from county level public health nursing departments, to non-profit community clinics has/continues to contribute to the enhanced quality of client care, agencies’ infrastructure efficiencies and maximized the productivity of personnel.

- Founder of The Education Edge™
- Former Academic Dean & Psychology Instructor
- MS Psychology / BS Sociology
- Certified Professional Coach & Certified Body Language Trainer
- Author of 21 Days of Distinction & Musician’s Corner® books
- Professional Photographer and Radio Host
- Founder of The Education Edge™
- Former Academic Dean & Psychology Instructor
- MS Psychology / BS Sociology
- Certified Professional Coach & Certified Body Language Trainer
- Author of 21 Days of Distinction & Musician’s Corner® books
- Professional Photographer and Radio Host


Captain Dean Viana has been in the fire service for over 25 years and currently holds the position of Fire Captain/Paramedic for the Beverly Hills Fire Department.
Captain Dean also has certifications as Fire Chief Officer, Fire Officer, State and County Licensed Paramedic, Urban Search and Rescue, American Heart Association Instructor, and Hazardous Materials expert.
He has been assigned to presidential details for President Obama, President Clinton, President Ford, and Vice President Biden.
As a professional Fire Captain/Paramedic, he responds to emergency medical and fire alarms, trained in fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, participates in community service, and is certified to teach and educate paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and educators in fire/medical/disaster emergencies.
Captain Dean started Celebrity CPR in 2004 when he saw the need of educating the public in life saving skills. “After responding to thousands of people during emergency calls and seeing many times that nobody is rendering aid to save a life, I knew that offering private education to families and organizations was extremely important”.
Captain Dean Viana has been in the fire service for over 25 years and currently holds the position of Fire Captain/Paramedic for the Beverly Hills Fire Department.
Captain Dean also has certifications as Fire Chief Officer, Fire Officer, State and County Licensed Paramedic, Urban Search and Rescue, American Heart Association Instructor, and Hazardous Materials expert.
He has been assigned to presidential details for President Obama, President Clinton, President Ford, and Vice President Biden.
As a professional Fire Captain/Paramedic, he responds to emergency medical and fire alarms, trained in fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, participates in community service, and is certified to teach and educate paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and educators in fire/medical/disaster emergencies.
Captain Dean started Celebrity CPR in 2004 when he saw the need of educating the public in life saving skills. “After responding to thousands of people during emergency calls and seeing many times that nobody is rendering aid to save a life, I knew that offering private education to families and organizations was extremely important”.


Location
Ontario Convention Center: 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764