Alumni Chapter organizations are whole-heartedly led by volunteers committed to supporting the Alumni Association and their respected constituency. Each chapter may select a recipient to honor annually for their service.
1993 B.S. Accounting
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
The AIS Alumni Chapter is honored to recognize Maria for her many years of dedicated service to the chapter and the department. A member of the executive board since 2002, her support included two years as chapter president in which she was instrumental in attracting over seventy-five alumni members to attend CSUN’s 50th Grand Reunion. Maria also has solicited donations and raised funds for student scholarships, including two awards which she and her husband, alum Carlos Patron ’99, fund for the annual Accounting and Information System Department Student Merit Awards each year.
While at CSUN, Maria received her Bachelors in Accounting in 1993 and a Credential in 1999 and in 2007 earned a Master’s in Education from Walden University with a focus on elementary reading and literacy. As a student she was a member of the Accounting Association and was a VITA tax preparer. Currently Maria is an elementary teacher at Fenton Primary Center in Lake View Terrace. In the community she volunteers on the Safeguard the Children Board and is a confirmation and RCIA catechist at St. Elisabeth of Hungary. A runner, she has participated in the Los Angeles Marathon for Aids Project Los Angeles, San Diego Marathon and the Pasadena Marathon. Maria and Carlos are active members of the CSUN Alumni Association.
1995 B.S. Organizational Systems & Mgt. / 2000 Masters in Business
MBA Alumni Chapter
Kurt has been involved with the Masters in Business Alumni Association (MBAA) for several years and served as president of the chapter for two years. He has served as the keynote and guest speaker at chapter events and many MBA program events focused on mentoring current MBA students. Despite an intense schedule, Kurt has always remained committed to giving back to his alma mater. Kurt is the vice president and general manager of Regency Lighting in Van Nuys. He and wife Katie, a CSUN alumna ’97, have three children. He is a Lifetime member of the CSUN Alumni Association and vice president on the association Board of Directors.
1989 B.A. Accounting Theroy and Practice
Accounting and IS Alumni Chapter
Playing an integral part in planning and coordinating the chapter’s role in the university’s 50th Grand Reunion, Leadman was able to promote this major campus event to alumni and was instrumental in the excellent attendance from Accounting alumni and their families. He spent many hours communicating with alumni to ensure a good turnout. His efforts on behalf of the chapter have helped to energize the Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter. As an involved student at Cal State Northridge, Leadman served as president of the Accounting Association, Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma. He received his BS in Accounting in 1989. He is employed as Director of Accounting for J.D. Power and Associates in Westlake Village. He is married with two children to CSUN Accounting alumna, Jennifer Pua ’94. Active members of the President’s Circle, they are also Lifetime members of the Alumni Association.
1986 B.S. Accounting
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
Since graduating from CSUN, Enrico has been very involved with the AIS Alumni Chapter, holding the positions of historian, secretary and currently, serving as first vice president. He also serves as the official photographer for the chapter. As a student he volunteered at the Center for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
Faculty, College of Business
Masters in Business Administration Alumni Chapter
Dr. Deborah Cours has been a member of the Marketing faculty in the College of Business & Economics since 1994. She received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. in Marketing from UCLA. Currently she is the Director of Graduate and Evening Programs for the College. Debi was instrumental in establishing the Wells Fargo Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Northridge and was its founding Director. She was recognized for her business leadership by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal and she holds positions on several local boards including the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, CHIME Institute, Build WorkSource and the Small Business Development Center. Debi founded the MBA Alumni Association Chapter and has been one of its most consistent supporters; donating her time and expertise to help the chapter develop and coordinate some of its most successful events, including the Masters in Business Speaker Series.
2001 B.S. Accountancy
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Association
Donna Watkins has held numerous leadership positions in the Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Association, one of the largest Alumni Chapters of the Cal State Northridge Alumni Association. Donna served as Treasurer, then Vice President of Membership before becoming President of the chapter. Donna has worked on campus since 1998 having earned her degree in Accountancy in December of 2001. A CPA, Donna is Program Coordinator for The Wayne and Roberta Colmer VITA program. VITA was founded at Cal State Northridge in 1971 and was the first program of its kind in the nation. VITA provides timely and relevant federal and state information to the community concerning taxpayers’ rights and responsibilities. In addition, this program satisfies the widespread need for free tax return assistance, primarily for low-income individuals, senior citizens, non-English-speaking individuals, and the disabled who live in the area surrounding the university. Through this program, Northridge students are able to combine academic study and community service. Under Donna’s leadership, and with the support of the Accounting and IS Alumni Association, students are improving their technical skills and becoming more competent, disciplined, and confident while providing a much needed service.
2003 B.S. Accountancy
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
Toby was a highly involved student leader who has continued to demonstrate his loyalty to the university as an alumnus. As a student he was a member of the Accounting Association, eventually becoming a director and executive board member. In 2002 he was elected the organization’s president. He held leadership positions with the Latino Business Association, Alpha Kappa Psi (business fraternity) and Lambda Chi Alpha (social fraternity). His leadership skills and love of the university were recognized by his student peers and subsequently he was elected as a campus senator and then vice president of the Associated Students. Somehow, Toby found time to participate in the VITA program, first as a preparer and co-coordinator and eventually becoming a director. He continues to volunteer his time as an alumnus trainer and mentor. Not surprisingly, Toby is a member of the Alumni Association and within a few years of his graduation has become the president of the Accounting IS Alumni Association. Even in his role as past president of the group, he has insisted on serving as membership vice president Toby defines what leadership and volunteerism is all about.
1994 B.S. Management Information Systems
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
After graduating from Cal State Northridge in 1994 with a degree in Management Information Systems from the College of Business, Claudia remained close to her alma mater. She has been employed at Northridge since 1989, first as a student assistant and following graduation, as a professional staff member in the College of Business. Claudia is currently a Business Information Technology Consultant for the Office of Information Systems in the College of Business. As a student, Claudia was an active volunteer, and she has continued this tradition by serving as Vice President and later President of the Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter. Claudia is currently pursuing her MBA at Northridge with an emphasis in Information Systems.
2000 M.B.A. Masters of Business Administration
Masters of Business Alumni Chapter
Graduating from Cal State Northridge with her MBA in 2000, Claire is a founding member of MBAA alumni chapter. Claire helped develop the chapter in 2003 and since then has served in several different leadership roles Her work has enabled the chapter to grow its membership and plan several successful events. No job was ever too big or too small for her. Claire's support of Northridge, particularly the MBA program and her willingness to go the extra mile to take the chapter to the next level are second to none. When not volunteering at Northridge, Claire serves as Manager of Resource Projects at J.D. Power and Associates.
2003 B.S. Finance
Finance and Real Estate Alumni Chapter
As a student, Cassandra was an active member of the Student Finance Association and volunteered at the Career Center. Through her dedication and leadership she helped create traditional events that still take place in the Student Finance Association today. Since graduation from Northridge with a B.S. in Finance Real Estate and Insurance in 2003, Cassandra has continued her activities with the Career Center through outreach to students and participation on speaker panels at career information days. For the last two years she served as President of the Finance and Real Estate Alumni chapter and instituted several alumni-student mentoring programs. Cassandra continually challenges students to make the most of their time in college. Outside of her volunteer work at Northridge, Cassandra started her own real estate investment company.
1992 B.S. Finance
Finance and Real Estate Alumni Chapter
After graduating from Northridge in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Dewayne began working as a consultant Sourcetek Company, placing executives in the field of engineering and computer science. Dewayne continued his support of Cal State Northridge by volunteering to start the first Finance and Real Estate Alumni Chapter for Northridge. Working diligently the first year to draft the charter and bylaws, recruit an executive board, and plan events, he built the foundation for one of the largest alumni chapters today. Now serving as past president for the chapter, Dewayne remains connected to the chapter and the university.
2002 M.B.A. Masters in Business Administration
Masters in Business Alumni Chapter
With a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz (‘97) and an MBA from CSUN (‘02), Tammy joined the MBA program as the assistant director shortly after graduation. Despite a lean staff and responsibilities that spanned from recruitment to academic counseling, Tammy volunteered her own time to support and join a group of recent MBA graduates in founding the Masters of Business Alumni Association. The MBA Association is now a key compliment in the continued growth of CSUN's MBA program. Currently an Executive Recruiter with Ajilon Finance, Tammy continues to add value to chapter via her tireless planning and networking as the director of membership. Her close contact with the College of Business and Economics enables her to reach fellow Northridge alumni and current MBA students to assist them in taking their careers to the next level.
1998 B.A. Accounting
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
Morris Zagha of the Walt Disney Company has always been determined to volunteer his time and expertise to his alma mater. An honors student in accounting, Morris served as student president of the Accounting Association and earned status as a lifetime member in Beta Alpha Psi at the time of his graduation in 1998. Almost immediately, Morris committed to helping current students by serving as an alumnus mentor and serving as treasurer for the Accounting and IS Alumni Association. As an officer of the alumni chapter he and others were instrumental in taking on the sponsorship of the accounting graduation ceremony and presenting programs such as the Alumni Career and Resume Review Workshop. In 2000 he became president of the organization and nearly every year since 2001, he has volunteered his time as an instructor for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. In addition, he has often been a speaker for Informational meetings that has given students keen insights into the accounting profession.
Faculty Member, College of Business and Economics
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
Earl Weiss has been a member of the Northridge faculty for almost 20 years. Currently the Chair of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, he previously served six years as Special Assistant to the President under presidents Cleary and Wilson. Professor Weiss, who is an attorney and CPA, has dedicated his academic career to building one of the nation’s most respected accounting programs. Through the years, he has demonstrated an equal commitment to the Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter by embracing it as an integral part of the Department and donating his time and support to the achievement of its mission. Earl also has served on numerous campus committees, and has supported the University in the public arena and at hundreds of cultural and community events.
Faculty Member, College of Business and Economics
Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter
Most organizations can name those few individuals who, because of their long-term dedicated support and commitment, give life to the endeavor. For the Accounting and IS Alumni Chapter, that person is Robert Barker. Although serving as a member of the faculty and then chair for the Department of Accounting and Information Systems until 1997 got him involved in the organization, his strong volunteer spirit keeps him coming back. Robert was instrumental in the formation and continued advancement as one of the first alumni chapters organized on campus. Although he now serves as the university controller, Robert still attends monthly meetings when his schedule permits, encouraging alums to participate in events or to become involved in the executive board. Robert received both his master’s and Ph.D. from University of Alabama. He and his wife, Corinne, both work on campus.
