First Year Experience Faculty

Dr. Lisa Bryant

Dr. Lisa Bryant is an assistant professor of Political Science. Her research focuses on campaigns and elections, public opinion and political behavior, and political methodology (aka. stats). She completed her Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico, where she also earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Bryant was a data analyst for a public opinion research firm and prior to that, she worked in radio.  In her free time, Dr. Bryant enjoys visiting historic places, including the homes and libraries of past Presidents, going to our National Parks, and wasting time on social media. She is joining FYE for the first time in Fall 2017.

Professor Jeremiah Henry

Jeremiah transferred as an undergraduate from Fresno City College in 2010 to CSU Fresno where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in English in 2012, summa cum laude. That same year, he began his graduate studies in English at CSU Fresno and was offered a position as a Teaching Associate with the Department of English. In 2015 he completed his master’s thesis and graduated with a master’s in English literature, summa cum laude. He currently serves as a lecturer in the Department of English at CSU Fresno.

 Dr. Mary Husain

Dr. Mary Husain teaches a variety of courses in the Communication and  Mass Communication & Journalism departments at California State University, Fresno. Areas of instruction include group discussion, argumentation, media persuasion, public speaking, intercultural communication, media stereotypes, and mass media and society. Her research interests concern the impacts of media representation in entertainment and news genres on diverse communities and academic freedom. In addition, she serves as the adviser and course instructor for the CineCulture film series, which presents weekly cultural films at Fresno State. For Filmworks, she serves as program director and coordinates discussion circles.

 Dr. David Low

Dr. Low is an assistant professor of Literacy Education in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development at CSU, Fresno.  When he is not teaching and conducting research, Dr. Low loves to eat, cook, and watch baseball (Go D-Backs!).  He is also a published cartoonist.

Professor Michael Maniquiz

Prior to what was initially meant as a temporary move to the United States, Mike Maniquiz worked as a journalist, speech writer, and advertising and public relations executive in Manila. He studied at West Virginia University and CSU Fresno where he received his MFA Degree in Creative Writing. His thesis won Outstanding Thesis Award in 2006 and was a finalist in the WAGS/UMI Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award Competition in the same year. He is a published poet and essayist. He joined the FYE program in 2015. He is also a vintage car and motorcycle enthusiast. His Saturdays are spent in his gallery in downtown Fresno where he deals in art and mid-century modern design.

 Dr. Marnel Niles Goins

Dr. Marnel Niles Goins is a professor in the Communication Department. She teaches courses in Small Group Communication and Organizational Communication. She is a native Philadelphian and has been at Fresno State since 2007.  She's been a part of FYE since the program began and enjoys working with students.

 Professor Adela Santana

I was born and raised in the island of Puerto Rico.  When I was 12 yrs old, my family moved to Mexico City, where I lived through middle and high school.  By the time I was college-bound, we moved to Austin, Texas where I attended the University of Texas at Austin--I majored in anthropology with a minor in Latin American Studies.  After college, I moved to NYC to go to graduate school.  I was trained in Applied Anthropology at Columbia University.  My research revolves around issues of body and pain in Mexican Lucha Libre (professional wrestling)--I carried out my fieldwork in Mexico City.  

I have taught at Fresno State since 2013, first in the department of Anthropology and later in CLAS, Women Studies and FYE. Pedagogically, I believe in creative practices in the classroom (real or virtual), in empowering students to take control of the learning process through hands-on experience with the curriculum, and in the dynamic processes of learning that are created between students and teachers.

 Professor Antonina Tofan

My name is Antonina Tofan. I'm math instructor in Fresno state since 2009. Originally I'm from Ukraine. Came to USA with my family in 1998. I completed my BA and MA in mathematics from Csufresno. Math was always my passion and I really enjoy teaching it. I have been teaching math for FYE since 2010. I have wonderful husband and three beautiful children, two boys and a girl. I love to spend time with them, especially travel together. 

 Dr. Juliet Michelsen Wahleithner

Dr. Juliet Michelsen Wahleithner is an assistant professor of literacy in the Literacy, Early, Bilingual, and Special Education Department in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. Her research focuses on the teaching of writing, literacy development, and in-service and pre-service teacher development. She completed her Ph.D. at UC Davis, where she also earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Wahleithner taught high school English and journalism at Tokay High School in Lodi, CA. In her free time, Dr. Wahleithner enjoys running and spending time with her family.