Tessa Hicks Peterson
Director of CCCSI
Assistant Professor, Urban Studies
909.607.3061

Tessa Hicks Peterson is faculty director of the Center for California Cultural and Social Issues and an Assistant Professor in the Pitzer in Ontario program at Pitzer College. Before arriving to Pitzer three years ago, Tessa worked with communities throughout Southern California on human relations and civil rights issues as Associate Director at the Anti-Defamation League and, prior to that, as the Youth Programs Director at the National Conference for Community and Justice. She has a Masters and PhD in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Psychology, Sociology and Spanish from UC Santa Cruz. She has traveled widely, lived in Brazil and Spain, and has lead seminars and trainings nationally and internationally on issues ranging from hate crimes and race relations to empowerment through movement and art. Her scholarship includes the study of social movements, inter-cultural relations, indigenous studies, border studies, poverty, and community-based pedagogy involving participatory-action research and civic engagement. Her current research examines the impact of engaged scholarship at Pitzer College. To keep grounded and inspired, Tessa loves to hike with her husband, John, and Labrador, Channey, in the canyons around her home in Sierra Madre as well as continue her 9-year long training in Afro-Brazilian dance and martial arts.

Sandra Mayo
Assistant Director
909.607.3301

Sandy Mayo joined Pitzer College in October 2008 as Assistant Director of CCCSI. In this role she works with students and faculty to develop and maintain effective community-based partnerships while supporting a culture of civic engagement and social responsibility at Pitzer. Sandy earned a Ph.D. in Education and graduate certificate in Africana Studies from Claremont Graduate University. Her research and teaching interests include: diversity in higher education; principles of social justice and educational equity; and youth development and education in Jamaica. In addition to her current role as Assistant Director, Sandy is also the founder of Mango Tree Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the life chances of Jamaica's at-risk youth. Outside of work, Sandy enjoys spending time with her husband, Jon, and children, Victoria and Jonathan. She and her family can often be found trekking in the mountains surrounding their Idyllwild cabin or on the local trails near their home in La Verne. Long hikes are also shared with their beloved chocolate Labrador, Sienna.

Tricia Morgan
Administrative Assistant
909.607.8184

Tricia Morgan first joined Pitzer College as a New Resources Student in Spring 2006. After graduating in Spring 2008 with a BA in Sociology (and a minor in History), she joined the staff of CCCSI as Administrative Assistant. Tricia is responsible for all CCCSI budgets and finances, payroll, grant reporting, student intern assistance, and general office supervision. She is also unofficially charged with keeping all juggled balls in the air at all times, which is no easy task. In addition to her role at CCCSI, Tricia also serves on committees as a Staff Council Representative, on the Academic Planning Committee, and on the Changemakers Committee. Outside of work, Tricia is an expert homework-helper, boo-boo-kisser, make-believer, and more to her two children, Miranda and Sam. She loves spending time with her family and her rambunctious yellow lab, Maggie, and is always game for some Three's Company (and other) trivia.

Samantha Field
Urban Fellow
909.607.8183

Samantha Field is a recent graduate of Pitzer College. While at Pitzer she was actively involved with the Kohoutek Music Festival, the Annual 5k Fundraiser Run for the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, the Grove House Committee and Feminist Coalition. She graduated with a degree in Global Health and Community Development and minor in Spanish. She is now the Urban Fellow for the Pitzer in Ontario Program and the Partnership with Prototypes Center for Women. Samantha grew up in West Windsor, New Jersey. In her free time she enjoys, running, horseback riding, community organizing, traveling, cooking and having dinner parties with her friends.

Center for California Cultural and Social Issues

Bernard Hall - Pitzer College
1050 N. Mills Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711

909.607.8183
cccsi_staff@pitzer.edu