Faculty in Residence

Jamie O'Quinn

College: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department: Sociology

I am an Assistant Professor of Sociology and feel so lucky to have begun my journey at CSUSB as a Faculty in Residence!  I live with my dog, Abby, in Coyote Village and can usually be found working in local coffee shops, playing board games, and going on walks while listening to podcasts. While an undergraduate student at UC Santa Cruz, I discovered my love of Sociology and its power to help me understand the social world around me. From there, I worked in the nonprofit sector before returning to school to earn my MA in Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University and then PhD in Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.

As a Californian at heart, first generation college student, and CSU alumn, I’m so excited to get to know the students at CSUSB and help make campus feel like home. As someone fairly new to CSUSB myself, my goal as Faculty in Residence is to help first year and transfer students acclimate to campus life. I also hope to help students identify their personal, intellectual, and professional goals and locate resources at CSUSB to help students achieve those goals. I view connecting with students in and outside of the classroom as the most rewarding and intellectually energizing aspect of being a university professor, and as such, am delighted to live with and learn from student residents in Coyote Village.

Nicole Scalissi

College: Arts & Letters    
Department: Art & Design

I am an Assistant Professor of Art History & Global Cultures and very excited to start my 2nd year as Faculty in Residence of Arrowhead Village!

My research specialty is Latinx/Afro-Latinx contemporary art, but I teach about art from all over the globe. I love that art shows us different perspectives on our shared world. As a teacher, I support students in developing their own critical voices (often bilingually) through thinking and writing about art and culture. I am a proud product of SoCal public schools and community colleges (Orange Coast College, represent). I transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to finish my BA in the History of Art, where I also completed my PhD in the History of Art.

I live in Coyote Village with my husband John (also CSUSB faculty) and Maggle, our dog. I love dogs, baking, and watching hockey (go Ducks) and reality competition art shows. You’ll see me around campus walking Maggle, running or lifting at the Rec Center, or at the art museum on campus.

As FIR, I think of myself as a helpful mentor and reliable neighbor. My goal is to help all residents feel comfortable on campus and with college life—especially transitioning from community college, or transferring, or changing majors. I’m here to connect residents to the support and resources they need to succeed on their chosen path.

Tamara Roose

College: Education     
Department: Teacher Education and Foundations

I am an Assistant Professor in the MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program in the Department of Teacher Education and Foundations. In this role, I prepare graduate students to teach culturally and linguistically diverse English learners in the U.S. and abroad. Originally from Southern California, I am happy to return to teach at CSUSB and live in community with the students in University Village as a Faculty in Residence. I love traveling the world, learning about other languages and cultures, spending time in nature, and staying physically active. I especially enjoy walking and talking, playing sports, and building meaningful relationships by sharing food and ideas.

Before coming to CSUSB, I worked with international students and immigrants from all over the world for over fifteen years. I also completed a PhD in Teaching and Learning with a specialization in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education from The Ohio State University. My research explores the intersection of language, culture, and education, focusing on second language reading and writing and the intercultural dimensions of English language teaching and learning. As a teacher and teacher educator, I believe that students’ diverse language and cultural backgrounds should be positioned as valuable assets they can draw upon as they develop new academic practices. My goal as a Faculty in Residence is to be a bridge between academic and social life by engaging in meaningful conversations and connecting students with resources that can support their success. I am excited to provide the students in University Village with a sense of home as we live and learn together.