Meet Your Department Chairs

Peter Alter, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Professor and Department Chair of Teacher Education/ Coordinator of the Education Specialist program

Dr. Peter Alter has been a Professor in the Teacher Education Department at Saint Mary’s College of California since 2011. He received his doctorate from the University of Florida and his key areas of interest are Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Applied Behavior Analysis in school settings, and effective classroom management. He has 25 peer-reviewed publications including a co-authored textbook Managing Classroom Behavior Using Positive Behavior Support. In addition, Peter has made over 40 research presentations at state and national conferences and he has conducted over 90 teacher-training workshops nationally and internationally.

My favorite thing about working in KSOE are the talented, passionate people that I get to work with. I also appreciate working with our community partners that we have wonderful relationships with.

Favorite quote:

A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.

-B.F. Skinner

Rebecca Anguiano, Ph.D., PPS, LEP

Professor and Department Chair, KSOE Counseling

Dr. Rebecca Anguiano has been a faculty member of the Counseling Department in the KSOE since 2015. Before becoming Department Chair she served as Program Director of the School Counseling specialization for four years and the School Psychology specialization for eight years. She earned her PhD in School Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and is a credentialed, bilingual (Spanish-English) school psychologist and licensed educational psychologist. Dr. Anguiano’s research has explored the translating and socialization practices of Mexican immigrant families, community organizing and popular education as methods for family engagement in schools, and equitable practices with emergent bilingual students. She is currently lead editor of a forthcoming book: Supporting Multilingual Learners at School: Developing Strength-Based Competencies in School Psychology.

Her favorite thing about working at the KSOE is growing and learning alongside all of our wonderful students. She is also very grateful for my kind, hard working, and brilliant colleagues.

Favorite Quote: "When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength. in the service of my vision - then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." -Audre Lorde

Margaret Kasimatis, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Leadership Department Program Director, Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Equity and Social Change

Dr. Margaret Kasimatis came to Saint Mary’s in 2018 and has served as an academic leader in higher education for more than 20 years. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Purdue University. Her professional accomplishments include leading transformational, equity-based strategic planning processes; creating a culture of evidence to foster continuous organizational improvement; designing and implementing equity-focused processes for student success and faculty evaluation; and developing innovative new graduate and professional programs. She is a nationally recognized expert in higher education assessment and accreditation and served on the WASC Senior College and University Commission for six years.

Favorite thing about working in the KSOE: The amazing and diverse group of students we are privileged to serve. Their passion for and commitment to personal growth and social justice is an inspiration.

Favorite quote: “If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

Department Senior Administrative Assistants

Teacher Education

Mary Withers

mlw7@stmarys-ca.edu

925-631-4292

Counseling

Tina Sappal

tls18@stmarys-ca.edu

925-631-4724

Leadership

Constance Russell

cvr2@stmarys-ca.edu

925-631-8161