Prominent Graduate Alumni
Physical Therapy
Christopher Pogson, MPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, has over 12 years of clinical experience in orthopedics, sports medicine and neurologic physical therapy. Chris received his Bachelors degree in Physical Education, with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, from California State University, Sacramento. He pursued graduate studies at Mount St. Mary's College, where he earned his Masters degree in Physical Therapy. In 2001, Chris was awarded the Kaiser Los Angeles Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship, during which he studied complex orthopedic injury management.
Before starting Pogson Physical Therapy, Chris worked at the UCLA Sports Physical Therapy Center for over five years. He currently serves as a Residency Advisor for the UCLA Family Health Sports Medicine Fellowship and is a clinical instructor for Mount St. Mary's College & USC Physical Therapy interns. In his private practice Chris works with a wide range of patients, including adolescent, collegiate, professional and Olympic caliber athletes.
Mary Thode received an undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in Exercise and Sport Sciences and a Master of Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. Mary has extensive experience and post-academic training in assessment and treatment of the general and athletic spine and extremities. She utilizes an integrated manual therapy approach reinforced by functional exercise patterns. Strength and flexibility deficits are identified, and addressed with treatment emphasis on reducing potential vulnerability and future musculoskeletal breakdown. Mary is currently pursuing her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy credentialing.
Elijah Bishop attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, receiving a Bachelors degree in Sports Medicine with a minor in Nutritional Sciences in 1999. Shortly after, Elijah obtained a certification in massage therapy. In December of 2002, he obtained a Master of Physical Therapy degree from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, CA. Eli has worked with several prestigious clinics, including the HealthSouth Sports and Rehabilitation Center in Malibu, CA, and Athletic Physical Therapy in Westlake Village, CA.
Eli is the founder and director of Elite Physical Therapy and Wellness in La Quinta. He combines the principles of manual therapy, fitness, Pilates, and various forms of bodywork to restore function and improve one’s sense of well being. Eli has developed sport-specific training regimens for several professional athletes and is a well known strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer.
Gerard Donayre is a Physical Therapist and Director of the new Balance Rehabilitation Inc. clinic in San Pedro, California. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who received his Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles, California in 2002. In his current role, Gerard has integrated orthopedic, neurological, health and fitness rehabilitation principles to offer South Bay residents a transition from rehabilitation to wellness.
Kevin Husley is CEO and Founder of RehabAuthority, an outpatient physical therapy company specializing in back and neck care. We have 10 clinics throughout southern Idaho and one in Wyoming. I am actively involved in the American Physical Therapy Association, which is the professional association for all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The APTA is headquartered in Alexandria VA and serves 72,000 members.
MA Religious Studies
Sister Carol Brong is a 1966 graduate of the College and returned many years later to receive a Masters Degree in Applied Spiritual Theology in 2003. Sister Carol served in elementary schools in south Los Angeles both as a teacher and as an administrator. After a few years of CSJ community service, Sister Carol took the position of Learning Resource Center Director at the Mount’s Doheny Campus, where she served for 13 years. She then served three years in the Registrar’s Office and after a year’s sabbatical, took the position of Assistant to the AA Dean where she ministers today.
Giovanni Perez , MA ’06 has been Director of Religious Education in two parishes of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He writes of the MA Religious Studies Program, “The M.A. program has been the greatest investment and enriching experience towards making my ministry more efficient and meaningful. I am forever grateful for the level of education, challenge and expectations of the Religious Studies M.A. program at the Mount. After more than seventeen years of full-time Religious Education ministry I am looking forward to other ministerial positions as a Pastoral Associate in parishes of this Archdiocese.”
Perez credit’s the Mount’s graduate religious studies program with changing his own world views. “I am more aware of injustices towards women and minorities, and committed to employ my position towards expanding the building of a more just world. My relationship with colleagues and partners in ministry has also been positively influenced. Finally and perhaps most importantly, my children are now setting their education expectations towards obtaining at least a master's degree in their own lives.”
MS Nursing
Dr. Tori Canillas-Dufau is an avid life-long learner and has received two associate degrees, a bachelor of arts, four master’s degrees and a doctorate. Dr. Canillas-Dufau taught pharmacology and medical-surgical nursing at both the intermediate and the advanced levels for 15 years in the ADN Program at Mount St. Mary’s College. In fall 2006, she began teaching in the MSN Program. Dr. Canillas-Dufau is also the Health Careers Specialist/Director of Vocational Nursing for the LAUSD - Division of Adult and Career Education. She is also active in the community and involved with Project Angel Food.
Neil Christopher Apeles is currently the Director of Education at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, CA. Neil Christopher also stays clinically active as a critical care transport nurse for Shaeffer Ambulance. He is board certified in Nursing Professional Development. Previously, his clinical practice was in pediatric critical care. Currently, his research interests are in the areas of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing and Education. Neil Christopher teaches Nursing 206 Educational Theories, Principles and Methods in Nursing.
MS Counseling Psychology
Diane Dameron graduated from MSMC in 1986 with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 1991. She has taught child development at the community college level and spent many years working with non-profit community centers. Ms. Dameron spent 8 years working at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Naval Station North Island in San Diego and is currently an academic advisor at the Navy College Office. She says that it is very rewarding seeing hard working sailors, airmen, and marines earn their degrees while on active duty.
Christopher Drennen is a 2006 graduate of the Mount’s MS Program in Counseling Psychology. He is currently the Director of Worship and Spiritual Growth with the Villanova University campus ministry program.
MS Education
Rochelle Ginsburg received her Master of Science in Education from Mount St. Mary's College in 1982. She has spent over twenty five years working in primary and secondary education as both a teacher and administrator, including senior positions as Assistant Principal of the Hawthorne School and as Principal of the Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School in Los Angeles. She currently serves on the Board of Overseers of Hebrew Union College and was recently appointed to the Human Relations Commission of the City of Beverly Hills.
Leslie Chang was born in Nicaragua, and raised in Los Angeles by a Nicaraguan immigrant mother and Chinese father. She is the youngest of three and is a first generation college student in her family. She attended Catholic schools in the Northeast Los Angeles area. After graduating from Sacred Heart of Jesus High School, Leslie attended Mount St. Mary's College where she received her Bachelors in Sociology with certification in Criminology. A year later, Leslie returned to Mount St. Mary's and completed the credentialing program and received a Master of Science in Education. Immediately after receiving her Bachelors, Leslie began teaching at a parochial school, Divine Saviour, in Cypress Park, building her teaching foundation. Four years later, began teaching at CALS Charter Middle School as the 8th grade Humanities and Reading teacher. Soon after, she became the assistant principal, and now, the Principal. Throughout her years of work in Cypress Park, Leslie has developed a strong commitment to the students, parents, and teachers, and hopes to help create future leaders. In her job as principal, she works with parents, assists teachers in teaching, designing curriculum, and most importantly, supports the students' learning. She is happily married, raising her son, and hopes to continue her work in Education by returning to school to receive an Educational Doctorate in the very near future.
Maria Ott, Ph.D., earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees at Mount St. Mary’s College, and completed her doctoral studies at the University of Southern California, majoring in Educational Policy, Planning, and Administration. Most recently, Dr. Ott served as the Senior Deputy Superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Previous to that role, she served 20-plus years with LAUSD as a teacher, principal, program coordinator, and district administrator. She also spent seven years as the Superintendent of the Little Lake City School District, an elementary school district serving the communities of Santa Fe Springs, northern Norwalk and southeastern Downey.
Dr. Ott has earned numerous awards, including AEOE Outstanding Administrator Award; AMAE Homenaje a la Mujer Recipient; Lamplighter in Education Recognition, Mount St. Mary’s College; Distinguished Educator, California State University, Los Angeles; Educational Leadership Award, Council of Mexican American Administrators; Hispanic Woman of the Year Award, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation; and the USC Rossier School of Education R.O.S.E. Award.
Sister Kieran Vaughan began her college education at the Mount in 1959, receiving a Bachelors degree and later a Masters in Education (1974). After teaching in elementary schools, she received a doctoral degree from UCLA and began teaching in the Education Department at the College in 1978. She served the college as Chair of the Education Department for 13 years, as Director of the Administrative Services Credential and Degree Program for 18. Currently, she coordinates the Liberal Studies Major. In addition to teaching and advising, she is a councilor for the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sr. Kieran is also a mentor and advisor for Mount students who have received prestigious Rockefeller Awards.
Patricia Welch has received her Master of Science in Education in 1984.She is currently the director of the Lancaster Community Shelter, which serves men, women and children in the Antelope Valley. The shelter is run by Catholic Charities of Los Angeles.
MA Humanities
Jeffrey Bryant is a recent graduate of the MSMC Masters of Humanities Program. Jeffrey presented a paper at a humanities conference at UC Riverside in April, '07. As one of the newest MSMC graduate programs, the Humanities Program has yet to graduate many students, but Dr. Kidd believes that Jeffrey will make significant contributions in his future career. Upon completion of his MA in Humanities, Jeffrey will be starting a Masters program in Political Science.
Ana Thorne, a lifetime learner, is continuing her education at Claremont Graduate University where she is pursuing a PhD in Cultural Studies. After graduating from the Master’s in Humanities program at MSMC, Ana received an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University. She continues her full-time life which includes grant writing for a non-profit organization that serves people with disabilities. Her efforts have garnered the organization more than $5 million over five years from foundations and corporate giving. Ana plans to continue tutoring part-time and writing full-time.