Current Students

Alexandra Asselin

Alexandra Asselin was born in Paris, France and spent her childhood between the United States, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. She received her B.A. in Communication from American University, and moved to Los Angeles to be a freelance film editor. After working on editing an ongoing web series, Alex became increasingly interested in online media and the Internet as a tool for marketing independent film. Alex took an internship at Revver, an online video start up. In the almost four years she stayed at Revver, Alex witnessed many changes in online media, and worked in many different capacities at Revver. Alex worked closely with the Creative Commons movement and helped define and protect the rights of online creators. Alex’s passions are online marketing, monetization, and using the Internet as a catalyst for social change. Alex was recently hired by NBC digital where she will be the community manager for 7 of NBC’s online sites.

Blog: Alexonlineinechopark

Twitter: Angelcore

Marguerite de Bourgoing

Marguerite graduated from Oxford University and the Sorbonne Paris IV, with an M.A. in Art History and in Philosophy. She then worked for two years at the Cinémathèque française in Paris where she developed a passion for cinema. During this time she assisted Marc Riboud, a photographer from Magnum, with whom she explored the language of documentary. She moved to London where she lived for six years, working as a Production Coordinator on factual programs, before joining Discovery UK in the programming department. At APOC she hopes to define and develop new audiences online, particularly for documentaries.

Blog: Debourgo

Twitter: margeboogie

Sonya Cifuentes-Hiss

Sonya Cifuentes-Hiss graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Media Studies with a concentration in digital media. Her undergraduate curriculum and internship experience reflect a strong interest in online communications with a marketing emphasis. Sonya’s and academic and professional involvement in online communities include ethnographic research, grassroots outreach for an Internet marketing firm, and participation in the first college course devoted to the study of YouTube. Sonya currently works as an advertising executive in Los Angeles and looks forward to investigating emergent online social landscapes during her time at APOC.

Alex Cohen

Nicole DeRuiter

Nicole DeRuiter earned her B.A. from Central Michigan University, a double major in Broadcast and Public Relations. She has worked since 2005 with PCGCampbell Marketing & Communications, one of the nation's 10 largest privately owned public relations firms. Experience working with major automotive clients provided Nicole hands-on experience using many types of communication tools, opening her eyes to a personal interest in new and social media. Prior to working in public relations, Nicole spent time working in promotions and marketing at both for-profit and non-profit radio stations. She is particularly interested in the influence of new media on public opinion and the social implications of corporate involvement in a personal space.

Blog: My PR Brain

Twitter: Dwriten

Katherine Hillier

Katie Hillier graduated with honors from the University of La Verne with a B.A. in Journalism. While in college, she was both the editor in chief of the La Verne Magazine and the managing editor of the Campus Times. She won various university awards including Best All-around Writer, and was a two-time winner of the Best Feature Story. During college, she worked at Forbes.com as an editorial assistant, and was in charge of organizing writer's schedules along with writing and editing web content. After graduation, she was hired on as an assistant account executive with Schwartzman & Associates, a new media communications firm, where she learned the ropes of basic client relations in addition to social and online communications. At APOC she would like to learn more about the social media landscape and the micro and macro influences of these new outlets.

Blog: Socialicious

Twitter: khillier

Yan Ma

Yan Ma graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Communication. She worked as a Research Assistant for the Director of International Advancement at USC and interned at Tokyopop during her undergraduate studies. Her interest in Japanese anime and manga has exposed her to many Asian online communities and fan culture at a young age. At APOC she is interested in studying user experience design in virtual worlds, and new modes of monetizing fan communities.

John Matthews

John Matthews received his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles in International Relations with a minor in Public Policy. While at UCLA he directed the UCLA cable news program UCLA: Next and produced a series of documentary shorts drawing attention to homeless issues in Los Angeles. After graduation he worked at United Talent Agency before going on to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs as an asset manager responsible for negotiating contracts with studios and production companies interested in filming on federally owned land. In his spare time John volunteers, most recently co-producing an anti-gang violence PSA with Academy Award winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. His interest in APOC lies in exploring how online communities and user-generated content are changing how political and marketing campaigns are run.

Edward North-Hager

Jay Reginaldo

Jay Reginaldo received his Bachelors degree in Telecommunications Management, and is currently an IT professional. He hopes to bring his experience with technologies to the business world, and has formed his own Limited Liability Company, to cultivate various business initiatives. At APOC he hopes to take on more innovative roles, promote products, and investigate markets to help expand our understanding of the roles communities play online.

Blog: All Motor Jay

Kaywan Shiraz

After graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Analysis and Design from the University of California, Irvine, Kaywan Shiraz held a safety engineering position in the defense company, Raytheon. He later became a project team lead for implementing multi-million dollar business information systems. With APOC alums Jeremiah Abraham and Rachel Wagoner, Kaywan then formed the social media and Web 2.0 solutions company, Kasama Media, which empowers underserved communities. Kaywan served as Business Development Coordinator and Content Coordinator for the company's flagship online community, BakitWhy.com. His interests are developing innovative monetization strategies, redefining operations in managing communities, and creating effective offline change through Web collaboration.

Blog: Kaynobi

Twitter: Kaywan

Past Students - 2008

Anna Cearley

After graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Anna Cearley worked briefly at the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News before being hired by The San Diego Union-Tribune. For seven years she was based out of Tijuana, Mexico, covering all aspects of border life, with an emphasis on crime and security issues. She also reported from Nicaragua and El Salvador through a competitive one-year journalism grant from the Inter American Press Association. Anna has received numerous awards for her reporting, including Best Latin American Reporting from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. At APOC she is interested in focusing on the technological and social forces that are impacting the journalism industry.

Greg Cherry

Greg Cherry received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Syracuse University and has worked for the Annenberg Foundation in Los Angeles for over 2 years. He currently serves as a Program Assistant, working directly with nonprofit organizations throughout the community in all program areas. He was previously at Sony Pictures Entertainment, working for Sony TV Studios as a Production Assistant. He is interested in furthering his studies in communications, media studies, and specifically the relation of emerging technologies to public opinion.

Ed Cohen

Ed Cohen is an award-winning writer, editor, commentator and publications manager. He has written for and edited periodicals at four major universities, including 10 years as associate editor of the widely admired Notre Dame Magazine. He began his career as a reporter on daily newspapers in Virginia and Delaware and spent time on loan to the Life section of USA Today. He has been an organizer with several groups opposed to the invasion and occupation of Iraq and in 2005 sought the Democratic Party nomination for Congress in northern Indiana.

Thomas Grasty

Tom Grasty graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a B.A. in Journalism. From 1990 to 1994, he worked in the public relations and advertising industries before turning his attention to entertainment. Tom became a senior story analyst for HBO Pictures and DreamWorks SKG, then Head of Development at VH1 Motion Pictures for Television. Currently, Tom is executive in charge of development at Blaze Television, where he is responsible for developing new television, web and mobile projects, as well as working with content providers, broadcasters and other strategic partners. Tom is particularly interested in Search Engine Optimization, SEM and online advertising, and intends to use the skills he is acquiring in the APOC program to find new ways to monetize small businesses, online communities and individual creative endeavors.

Chris Guitarte

Christopher Guitarte graduated from the University of California Irvine with a B.S. in Computer Engineering in 2006, then participated in the Philippine Studies Program through the College of Arts and Letters at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Chris' professional experience includes working with the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine. He now provides technical support for faculty, staff and students at the Annenberg School for Communication. Chris is particularly interested in the application of online communities to mobile technology, digital rights issues such as creative commons, and developing online communities for those with a similar ethnic background (i.e. Asian-American).

Wendy Keller

Wendy Keller received her BA in music and certification in Music Management from the University of San Diego.  She has worked in a variety of fields, including performing arts and corporate finance.  After suffering a significant injury, she discovered a way to turn her physical limitations into an asset, and help others maximize their strengths to accomplish their goals.  In 2007 she received her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. At APOC she seeks to fortify her knowledge base and develop an effective online community for Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science.

Otto Khera

Otto Khera earned a BS from Arizona State University (ASU) in Finance and in Economics, and later an MBA. Otto's background is in higher education and in advertising-based digital media projects. In the late 1980s Otto managed academic programs and grants for an ASU European studies research center. In the first half of the 1990s, Otto led the ad-based Axon Television project that was a planned 24/7 short film and video cable TV network. In the latter half of the 1990s he co-founded and managed the ad-based Desert Exposure arts and entertainment print magazine. Since 1998, Otto has been in higher education when he directed a new media technology center in western New Mexico until 2001. In 2002 Otto joined the University of Southern California's Center for Scholarly Technology which he now directs, and which supports technology-enhanced and distance learning at USC.

Arienne McCracken

Arienne McCracken graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in Russian and a M.A.s in Slavic Studies and the History of Art. Her master's thesis looked at the similarities in the works and beliefs of the artists Vasilii Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich. Arienne's work experience includes several years recruiting and programming for Honors students at Ohio State. She currently works as a program coordinator at USC's Center for Effective Organizations. At APOC she is interested in learning about the user experience and gaming communities.

Erin Metzger

Erin Metzger received her BA in Communication with a minor in Visual Culture from The University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication in 2007. An enthusiastic music fan, Erin had several music industry internships during her undergraduate career. At APOC, Erin hopes to explore more of the ever changing online landscape, particularly blogging and Internet culture.

Nonny de la Peña

Harvard graduate Nonny de la Peña is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, writer and technology artist. A former correspondent for Newsweek Magazine, she has written for the New York Times, Premiere Magazine, Texas Monthly, and Time Magazine. She has also authored scripts for television, and directed and produced four nationally-acclaimed feature-length documentary films exploring human rights issues. The Los Angeles Times wrote that, "de la Peña expertly personalizes the stories" in her films, and the New York Times called her work, “a brave and necessary act of truth-telling.” Her latest project, GONE GITMO - a virtual representation of Guantanamo Bay prison in Second Life - was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.

Erika Shen

Erika Shen received a BA in French Language and Literature from Barnard College. After graduation she joined the MTV Networks family at Nickelodeon Magazine, then moved to MTV Off-Air Creative. After returning to her native Los Angeles to to help launch MenuPages.com, an online dining and restaurant guide, she rejoined the corporate world as a Producer for CBS Interactive Entertainment. She is about to embark on a new career at The Walt Disney Internet Group as a Lead Producer for Disney XD.

Rachel Wagoner

Rachel Wagoner received her BS in Computer Engineering and Minor in Digital Arts from the University of California, Irvine. She was very active in the engineering community at UC Irvine, holding board positions and coordinating school-wide conferences, technology festivals, events and programs. Rachel has worked for Standard Data Resources, UC Irvine's Network and Computing Services (NACS), and MeridianLink Inc. She currently is a web designer and project manager at the Institute for Triple Helix Innovation, a nonprofit research institute. Working for the institute has encouraged her to pursue nonprofit management, an interest she has had since her undergrad. Upon finishing the APOC program, she looks forward to applying her degree to the nonprofit sector, creating online communities to help support and foster nonprofit organization needs and services.

Past Students - 2007

Jeremiah Abraham

Ben Gigli

Terri Giles

Terri Giles is the executive director of the Los Angeles based Formosa Foundation, which is dedicated to the advancement of human rights, democracy and better understanding between the United States and Taiwan.Prior to accepting the position at the foundation, Giles was the State Campaign Director for Senator John Kerry’s (D-MA) Presidential bid. Terri also served as a senior staff member for twelve years to United States Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and ad-hoc executive director of the Discover the REAL West Virginia Foundation. A native of Hinton, West Virginia, Terri received her B.A. in Social Work with a concentration in Community Organization from Concord University. Terri pursued additional studies in history and politics at Kings College in London, England. She is an active member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, a fellow of the U.S.-Japan Foundation, a board member of the West Virginia Venture Connection, founding member of the West Virginia chapter of the Japan-America Society, and a former national committeewoman for the Young Democrats of America.

Lewis Haidt

Aaron Leibowitz

Lindsay Pond

Clinton Schaff

Clinton Schaff graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Political Science. Currently, Clint is director of new media at Roll International, and serves as part-time faculty within the APOC program. Before that, Clint worked as senior director of social media marketing for M80 and helped launch an emerging online music community. His career includes communications advocacy work with SEIU, an Electronic Commerce Working Group internship at The White House, and contributing to sites of the New York Yankees. His particular interests are social media, communities, grassroots social action, content and marketing.

Facebook: clifschaff
Twitter: clifschaff

Dyan Nooney

Dylan Nooney received his B.A from the University of California Los Angeles in History with a minor in Public Policy. Before enrolling in the APOC program, he worked for Comcast in Media Operations. During the APOC program Dylan had the opportunity to intern at Yahoo, where he created an online community around the Guitar Hero franchise and worked with a team that develop applications for 3rd party platforms. After APOC, Dylan went to work as a Product Manager for Spot Runner, a Los Angeles based advertising start-up. Currently Dylan lives in San Diego where he is a Product Manager for Sony Online Entertainment.

Sean Stevens

Sean graduated from UNC-Asheville with a BA in Multimedia Arts and Sciences and a minor in computer science. While in APOC he interned at Buzznet.com assisting with product management. After graduation he joined another startup, sodahead.com, as a developer. He currently works at Spark Networks doing both development work and product management. In his spare time he runs the music community ashevillerock.com.

Twitter: theseanz

S. Courtney Walton

After receiving her M.A. from APOC, Courtney was accepted into the Communication Ph.D program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Courtney is currently pursuing her degree in Organizational Communication & Media, with an emphasis on Technology and Society through the UCSB Center for Technology and Society. She also has a B.S. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University. Courtney has an extensive nonprofit background and more than five years experience developing and managing online communities. She is primarily interested in the interplay between mobile phone technology, social networks, gender, self-disclosure and perceptions of influence. S. Courtney Walton is the recipient of a 2008-2009 SAGE Sara Miller McCune Fellowship, and was awarded a 2009 Summer Graduate Research Scholarship to begin work on her thesis under the mentorship of her advisor Dr. Ronald E. Rice.