Highlighting the amazing Administration, Faculty, Classified Professionals, and Students that make up our pirate family.
This month's highlights include:
Lynn Wright, Dean of Student Learning (Administrator), Gabriela Wood, Full-Time Faculty in the Biological Sciences (Faculty), Krishna Juarez, Information Technology Support Specialist II (Classified), Athena Lazos (Student)
Name: Lynn Wright
Primary role: Dean of Student Learning. Oversee the departments of Communication Studies; English, ESL, and IDS; Mathematics and Computer Science
Years of service: 6 years (since January 2015)
Family: Husband--John (30+ years);
Two sons: Paul (27)—college grad, lives and works in Buffalo, NY & James (20)—lives at home while attending community college; Pandemic puppy (now 10 months), a rambunctious and beloved border collie named Emma.
Hobbies: reading, playing with puppy, working out at gym (pre-Covid). Just got Netflix a few months ago, so now I’m watching a lot of Netflix—ugh!
Favorite food: Too many to list!
Favorite movie: Anything with Tom Hanks in it, but especially Forest Gump and Castaway
Favorite song: The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” (and “Let It Be”)
Something fun, interesting, or unique: Love spending time in Mammoth, especially in the summer and fall; played English handbells in Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris) as a young adult; have watched a LOT of amateur hockey (hockey wife and hockey mom!)
Name: Gabriela Wood
Primary role at the college: Full-Time Faculty in the Biological Sciences
Years of Service: 4 years
Family: Both my husband Alan and I are currently working at VC. My son Joshua is in his last year at VC and hoping to transfer to a four-year university next year. Our two dogs Sally and Chelsea are our constant companions!
Hobbies: I am obsessed with the marine environment. Whenever possible, I try to get to the ocean. Lately, I have been confined to my computer due to having to convert my courses to online courses, which has revived my interest for coding by using HTML in Canvas applications. Crocheting and sewing are my other interests. I have sewed over 100 masks for family and friends which has been a really fun activity. Lastly, I am hoping to get back to playing the Concertina more frequently!
Favorite Food: There are many food items that make the favorites list! I love Fluid State pizza - Fungus Amungus and Mr. Green Jeans! YUM! Other favorites include jamón and shellfish!
Favorite Movie: Princess Bride has to be up there with my favorites! I love the original Star Wars Trilogy as well.
Favorite Song: Strangers by The Kinks
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I am not sure this is interesting or unique, but I have been told that my heritage is unique, so here it goes: I was born and raised in Germany to Spanish immigrants and speak four languages, although my French is not as great as it used to be.
Name: Krishna Juarez
Primary role at the college: Information Technology Support Specialist II
Years of Service: 25 years at VCCCD across all sites.
Family: I am married to my beautiful wife Shana, we have a son Caleb who will be turning 21 this month.
Hobbies: I enjoy many hobbies but my favorites are playing board games and silversmithing.
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki
Favorite Song: Here comes the sun by my favorite Beatle, George Harrison. Probably dating myself there.
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I am dogfather to 2 very energetic Aussies, Opal and Amber.
Name: Athena Lazos
Major: (2)
Business Administration
Economics
Years at Ventura College: (2019-2021)
Family Life: I was born and raised in Santa Paula with my parents, my two older siblings, my two cats (Turkish and Jessee) and my dog (Pippa). My siblings and I were raised by our British mother and our Mexican-American father and are proud of both of our cultures!
Hobbies: I enjoy crocheting, crafting, and binge-watching shows with my friends.
Favorite Food: Ramen!
Favorite Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Favorite Song: Wait a Minute! By Willow Smith
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I have a 23-pound orange cat, a black cat with a crooked tail, and they’re Ventura College colors! Go pirates!