Meet Our Staff
Director
Dr. Rennie B. Schoepflin
Rennie B. Schoepflin (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin—Madison) joined California State University, Los Angeles as professor and chair of history in September 2005 and after serving the university in several subsequent academic leadership positions, including both associate dean and dean, he joined the Honors College as Director in August 2019. He was a member of the College’s founding committee in 2008-09, and he has taught courses in intellectual history, environmental history, and the history of medicine, science and religion. His current research interests include religion and health, the history of health and medicine in California, and changing concepts of the supernatural in western thought.
Associate Director
Dr. Andrea Arias
Dr. Andrea Arias is the Associate Director for the Honors College. Dr. Arias previously served as the Assistant Director for the Early Entrance Program. Prior to joining the Cal State LA community she was an instructor for the College of Business and Economics and worked in various roles in K-12 public schools in urban settings for over 20 years. Her graduate school programs included a focus on Educational Administration and Organizational Leadership and she earned several professional credentials, including Multiple Subject Teaching, Higher Education, Administration, and Leadership, and Adult Education.. She participated in the Puente Program as a first-year Mentor and is currently pursuing credentials as a Career Support Services Provider. Her professional focus includes guiding students with their socioemotional development and building self-efficacy. She also seeks out funding opportunities to guide students towards resources to support positive mental health development and the navigation of non-traditional learning models.
Faculty Capstone Coordinator
Dr. Scott Wells
Dr. Wells joins the Honors College once again after previously serving as the Associate Director from 2017-2019. He will bring his expertise to the thesis process by assisting students through procedures and leading workshops on thesis preparation.
Program Coordinator, Early Entrance Program
Teonna Anderson
Teonna is the Program Coordinator for the Early Entrance Program. She supervises the EEP spaces and supports students, faculty, and staff while maintaining the day-to-day operations of the EEP office. Teonna joined Cal State LA in February 2020. She believes that student engagement leads to academic success and is dedicated to supporting students through their journey to graduation.
Academic Advisor & Admissions Coordinator
Marylu Castillo
Ms. Castillo earned her BA in Psychology and her MS in Counseling, with an option in School Leadership and Counseling, from Cal State LA. Prior to becoming an academic advisor, she worked as a research assistant for the Psychology Department and as a student assistant at the University Academic Advisement Center. Her expertise in advisement encompasses general education requirements, university requirements, and university policies and procedures. She currently serves on the Professional Advisor Committee (PAC) to promote student success on campus. In addition, she sponsors several student organizations on the Cal State LA campus.
Program Coordinator, Honors College
Isabelle D. Garcia
Isabelle oversees the day-to-day operations of the office. She coordinates all events for the program and works with Honors College and Early Entrance Program students, faculty, and staff. Isabelle began as the Program Assistant for EEP in April 2011. As a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about guiding students through the University and completing their degrees. While also providing any resources for students to help them bridge the educational access gap. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, searching for cheap flights, and hanging out with her cat Spaghetti.
Student Assistants
Teresa Rosas
Lizette Roman
