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Due to unhealthy air quality, the campus will be closed on August 24th, 2020. All virtual services and classes will continue as normal.

COVID-19 Response: Las Positas College has transitioned to Online Classes and Services. Details and Resources Here.

The Zone Student Portal is unavailable. However, you can still access Class-Web and Zonemail.

Congratulations Class of 2020! Although the in-person commencement ceremony is being postponed to a later date, you deserve to be honored and celebrated now!

Employee Email: Due to multiple email issues, the deadline for submitting grades has been extended to 11:00 pm Thursday, May 28, 2020. ITS understands the difficult timing of these issues for communicating with students and is working to restore the problem server as quickly as possible. These servers will be replaced over the Summer.

Business Studies
Business Studies.
  1. Las Positas College
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Business Studies

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Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship Faculty & Staff

  • Gayathri Amancherla

  • Jane Ayotte

  • Erick Bell

  • Yolanda Brandon

  • Rajeev Chopra

  • Peter Churchill

  • Tracey Coleman

  • Gayla Jurevich
  • Steve Lanza

  • Mary Lauffer

  • Ray Lederer

  • Stuart McElderry (Dean)

  •  Christina Nystrom

  • Drew Patterson

  • Julie Stein

  • Eric Yap

 


 

Gayathri Amancherla
  GAmancherla@laspositascollege.edu

  


 

Jane Ayotte, MBA
  jayotte@laspositascollege.edu

 Jane Ayotte PictureMy professional background includes eighteen years experience working for Fedex in the transportation industry. During this time I performed a variety of roles, including ten years in operations management.  I have also spent the past twenty years supporting the local community. I believe it is important to give back. As a result, I have served with several non-profit organizations, I have served in a variety of roles such as Event Coordinator, Marketing Manager, Board of Directors, and more. Through this work I have developed relationships with numerous business owners in the community.  

My experience also includes an extensive background in education. I taught High School Business and Computer Graphics for seven years.​ I have developed courses, mentored students and managed events on campus. Since 2012 I have been working as an Adjunct Faculty, teaching courses in Business Administration and General Education. I have a strong background in technology education, and enjoy helping students navigate the technological tools in use at Las Positas College.

I am especially supportive of adult students, as I too was a student while working full-time. It was while working that I completed both my BA and MBA from Saint Mary's College of California. I also attended Brandman University, earning a teaching credential in Business Education. My own experiences help me to understand the difficulty of balancing business, school and personal responsibilities. I look forward to helping my students succeed as they try to find their own balance.

 


 

Erick Bell, CPA
  ebell@laspositascollege.edu
(925) 424-1233

erick bell photo

I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 16 years of experience working at 2 of the 4 largest professional services firms in the world: Deloitte and KPMG. I started my professional career as a financial statement auditor, and later transitioned into a career as a forensic accountant and fraud investigator. Today, I also manage an accounting firm that provides accounting and financial services to small businesses.

I started teaching part-time in 2005 at the University of San Francisco, and I knew then that I found my true passion. It took me 10 years, but eventually I was able to transition my part-time teaching to my full-time mission (while changing my full-time work to my part-time activities).

I have been serving at Las Positas College since 2015, I teach accounting and personal financial management classes. This may sound strange, but I love accounting! My personal mantra is to present complex accounting to non-accountants with passion and simplicity.

In additional to my professional responsibilities, I also serve as the Chairman and Executive Director of a non-profit organization, Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP), who focuses on increasing the number of high school students who pursue careers in finance and accounting. I also serve on the board of Alameda Youth Basketball, in addition to being a basketball referee and basketball coach.

When you decide to take one of my classes – you are making the decision to change your life. Be prepared to work hard and have fun (yes, even in the accounting classes).


 

Yolanda Brandon
  ybrandon@laspositascollege.edu

 


 

Rajeev Chopra, MBA, MS
Department Coordinator and Instructor
  rchopra@laspositascollege.edu

Rajeev ChopraHello current and prospective students. I am excited to be part of your educational journey at Las Positas College. 

My educational background began in India with completing Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business. After completing the Master’s program, I worked in my family business for a year and later joined a multinational company marketing and selling dyed yarn. During my three-year tenure at Vardhman Spinning Mills, I learned many aspects of yarn production and sales, including preparing sales bids and quotas, procuring raw materials, managing production and dying schedules, and negotiating dealership contracts.

After completing a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Income Tax at CSU East Bay, I worked for Grant Thornton and Chevron Corporation. During the 20-year span, I worked on corporate tax returns, analyzed financial statements, analyzed audit work papers, prepared nonprofit and individual tax returns, and accounted for revenue from oil and gas fields.

I started my teaching career as a part-time faculty member at Chabot College and CSU East Bay. During that time, I had the opportunity to teach students from different walks of life, including returning students, veterans, and first-time college students. While I was teaching part-time, I continued working full-time as a tax consultant.

I joined Business Department at LPC for a fulltime position in 2007 and enjoy all aspects of teaching—in particular, getting to know my students and see them progress. I find every semester to be a new beginning and am excited to get to know new faces and names and work with varied learning styles. In addition to teaching, I advised Business Club on campus for six years and encourage everyone to explore this opportunity.

When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, biking, playing golf, reading, and travelling. I welcome you all on this journey of learning and exploration at LPC.

 I primarily teach Financial & Managerial Accounting, Business Math, Income Tax, and Accounting for Small Businesses.

 


 

Peter Churchill
  PChurchill@laspositascollege.edu

 

 


 

Tracey Coleman, D. M.
  tcoleman@laspositascollege.edu
(925) 424-1227

Dr Coleman

Thank you for visiting my page all current and prospective students. I am elated to be part of your educational journey at Las Positas College.

Prior to teaching full-time at LPC, I had a long management career in the corporate world, as well as the restaurant and hospital industries extending over 25 years. The desire to leave the corporate sector and teach was realized when I would hire college students in my department, and recognized they needed a more realistic approach to thrive in the business environment. I am a current COO of a non-profit organization I developed with my husband. I have developed and lead a few organizations and in the process of developing a new business.

I started my teaching career as a part-time faculty at Berkeley City College and College of Alameda. I consult in the summer at Cal Berkeley with Summer Springboard teaching high school students business in preparation for college all over the world.

My educational journey included a semester in community college before transferring to the University of La Verne where I received my BS and MS degrees. I completed my Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership at the University of Phoenix. All degrees were completed while working full time, as a mother and wife. I am a member of several organizations as a board member or a member where I am involved in creating change and impacting others.

When I am not preparing for my students and all the activities to make your journey amazing, I am traveling with my wonderful husband, mentoring and working with young people in my church, finishing up the remaining 50 states doing marathons, and enjoying my sons and grandson.

I teach the following courses: Business Law, Business Ethics & Society, International Business, Introduction to Business, and Marketing.

 

 


 

Gayla Jurevich
  gjurevich@laspositascollege.edu
 


 

Steve Lanza, MBA
  slanza@laspositascollege.edu
(510) 734-4070

Steve Lanza photo

 I look forward to you joining my class. During my classes, I use my twenty plus years of business executive experience while for ten years of that time, also teaching,  to link the academic learning with knowledge of how well run businesses function. As an executive, I have led teams in Asia, worked and lived in Europe and co-run a business in Mexico. During this time I have been in small entrepreneurship companies, mid size and large Fortune 500 companies working as a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Business Officer and Organization Chief Human Resources executive. 

 
I now get the opportunity to spend most of my time teaching business classes including Introduction to Business, Small Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Management, Finance and Accounting along with Graduate level teaching for EMBA and MBA students in Business Planning and Strategic Planning. In addition to my teaching, I currently Chair the Tri-Valley's Leadership Group called Innovation Tri-Valley, am a board member of the Las Positas College Foundation and sit on the LPC Business Advisory Committee,  Ohlone College Accounting Advisory Committee and completed seven years on Cal Poly's College of Engineering Advancement and Advisory Board. 
 
Like you I am a product of the California Community College environment having graduated from De-Anza College with an AS in Business; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a finance concentration. I also received his MBA in Finance from Golden Gate University. I hold a Certificate in Management Accounting (CMA), a Certificate in Change Management from ProSci, a Certificate in Leadership Development Succession Strategist from Human Capital Institute and a Certificate in Engineering Management from Cal Tech’s Industrial Relations Center. 
 

 


 

Mary Lauffer M.A.
  mlauffer@laspositascollege.edu
(925) 424-1226

Mary Lauffer PhotoThank you for visiting my webpage. I am passionate about supporting your academic and career success and helping you make the most of your journey. As a Las Positas College student, you have opportunities now that can shape the trajectory of your life. 

I have had the privilege of teaching Business and Work Experience classes at Las Positas College for 12 years. Also, I spent more than 16 years in marketing, advertising, and communications for nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including universities, a business magazine, and a Fortune 500 company. My work has won state and national awards.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in Journalism and Communication from Miami University in Oxford, OH, while taking advantage of life-changing opportunities. During college, I held jobs waiting tables, making pizza, and cleaning offices, and also worked on the student newspaper and served as arts editor. The portfolio I built helped me land an internship at a magazine. Because of my portfolio and internship, I got a job as a reporter/photographer right after graduation. As an officer in the Women in Communications student chapter, I met an advertising professional who later connected me to my first job in advertising. My story is just one illustration of valuable opportunities for college students. Las Positas College offers many activities, learning communities, and more than 30 impressive clubs, including an award-winning business club.

While working full time, I started taking classes toward a master’s degree. I was employed at a university that offered tuition reimbursement, a benefit offered by many companies and organizations and one which is worth considering when job hunting. I earned a Master of Arts with distinction in Communication with a specialization in Marketing Management from the University of New Mexico.

In addition to teaching, I also have enjoyed providing marketing and photography services to Las Positas College and the district. My work can be seen on numerous marketing and display materials and many of my photos appear on the website.

My volunteer activities include serving my church and community. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and visiting art museums with my husband and two sons.

Having worked throughout high school and college, I feel a kinship with working students and am honored to support their success as coordinator of the Work-Based Learning Program. Work Experience classes enable students to learn valuable soft skills and earn college credit for working; learn more by visiting the Work Experience website. The program also offers the Las Positas College Internship & Job Board. I encourage all students to register and take advantage of campus job fair notices, career tips, and job alerts. Your life-changing job or internship might be posted right now! 

 


 

Ray Lederer, MBA, CFP
  rlederer@laspositascollege.edu

 Ray LedererRay has been in the finance industry since obtaining his MBA in 1998. He is an Analyst on a Wealth Management Team that provides advice for businesses, non-profits and families. He holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

Ray was drawn to the financial services industry to help the individual investor. Following a disciplined wealth management process, his focus is on helping clients achieve their personal and financial goals. He incorporates wealth management strategies that
are consistent with their unique objectives and risk/reward tolerance.
 
The goal of Ray's corporate and small business engagements is twofold. First, to provide strategic alternatives for current assets, lending and qualified 401(k) plan strategies. Second is to help create and implement Financial Wellness programs designed for
employees. The goal of these programs is to increase the financial health of employees to increase productivity, increase 401(k) contributions, utilize flex spending accounts and prepare for succession planning.
 
Ray's commitment to charitable organizations started when he was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Since then he has been involved in many non-profit organizations. Ray's focus with non-profit corporations is to provide access to services that help craft Investment Policy Statements, and together with Merrill specialists, he helps design and implement charitable marketing strategies.
 
Ray has strong ties to the community through networking and speaking engagements. In his past he was afforded the opportunity to speak to audiences around the world. A gifted speaker, he is an Adjunct Business Professor and presents seminars for individuals, corporations, and organizations.

 


 

Christina Nystrom
  cnystrom@laspositascollege.edu

Christina Nystrom

Hello Las Positas College students! I am so excited to work and learn with you.  

I grew up in the Bay Area and took courses at Las Positas while in high school. Being a Las Positas student is something we have in common! 

As a part-time faculty member, I teach courses including Attitude in the Workplace, Customer Service and Time Management. Winston Churchill said “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” I couldn’t agree more! I know that by focusing on positives, reframing our perspectives, and drawing on positive attitude tips and tricks, we can improve our outlook and increase success in our lives. 

I have an undergraduate business degree from Georgetown University and served as an intern on Capitol Hill during my time in Washington DC. I worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in audit and consulting before becoming the Financial Reporting Manager for a local Fortune 500 company. I also perform consulting projects through my own business.

I am currently the treasurer of a local nonprofit and have been the chairperson for a local Economic Vitality Committee for 2 years. I am very involved in my community and know that we each have the power to make our community better by showing kindness, smiling, working hard, and sharing our strengths.

I have an international family with roots in Cuba, Sweden, China, India, and Germany. I love learning about different cultures and perspectives. When I am not working, I enjoy adventuring in the Bay Area, being silly with my two kids, riding bikes, hiking, going to the beach, and spending time with friends.​


 

Drew Patterson, MBA
  dpatterson@laspositascollege.edu
(925) 424-1222

drew patterson photoHello current and prospective students! I am excited to be a part of your educational journey at Las Positas College. Before becoming a full-time faculty member at LPC, I worked in sales and marketing, both within companies and as an entrepreneur/freelancer. Some of the titles I held were Social Media & Communications Manager for Ann Wilson of Heart, Sales Executive at Indeed.com, and Owner/Manager of an E-commerce website.

I have also taught as an adjunct faculty member at the following colleges: Ohlone College, Chabot College, Diablo Valley College, and UC Berkeley Extension. In my capacity as an instructor, I had the opportunity to teach in Vietnam for a semester, as well as teach numerous cohorts of international students in UC Berkeley’s International Program.

My educational background begins with having attended community college – just like you!  I attended San Francisco College’s Culinary Arts & Hospitality Program. After graduating with my A.S. Degree, I worked in the restaurant industry while attending California State University, East Bay for my undergraduate degree in Business with an option in Marketing and Corporate Management. After earning my BS, I worked in sales & marketing, then returned to school to pursue my MBA with an option in Marketing Management, at California State University, East Bay.

When I am not working I love going on hikes, traveling, and riding anything with two wheels. I  believe that finding what you love to do and having a work/life balance are crucial for long-term success. 

I teach the following courses: Introduction to Business, Introduction to Marketing, Professional Selling, Human Relations in The Workplace, Small Business Management, Marketing Strategies, and a few others.

 

 


 

Julie Stein, M.S.
  jstein@laspositascollege.edu

Julie Stein photo

I am a part-time instructor at Las Positas College and an Educational Effectiveness Project Manager in the office of Academic Programs and Services at California State University, East Bay.  My work focuses on university accreditation and improving faculty instruction, curriculum, and assessment.   

I have a B.S. in Industrial Psychology and an M.S. in Human Resources Management with over 25 years combined experience in corporate education in large Bay Area companies (with a specialty in training trainers) and in college and university instruction at Las Positas College and Cal State East Bay. 

I have consulted with a number of Bay Area companies on ways to improve employee performance.  I have also consulted with the California State University Chancellor’s office on General Education reform in California.  I am a graduate of the WASC Senior College and University Commission Leadership Academy. During my time in corporate education, I received 8 facilitator certifications in leadership and interpersonal skills training. While at Safeway, I won an award for the company from the Food Marketing Institute’s FMI MAXX Award for Maximizing People Potential for Safeway’s exceptional management training program.

I have conducted over 20 academic conference presentations on innovations in teaching, learning, and assessment, contributed to 8 business, communication, and college success textbooks, co-authored 3 academic publications on assessing competencies, and authored 1 business publication on teaching in business and education.

In the BUSN 30 Business Ethics and Society course I instruct, the focus is on students interpreting ethical theories, concepts, and laws in ways that will reinforce choices that line up with their values and best selves. At the heart of the BUSN 48 course, Human Relations in Business, is honest self-examination and growth in interpersonal areas that will help better reach goals with others.

I enjoy the teaching and learning process and look forward to also learning from the breadth of knowledge and skills each student brings to the learning space.


 

Eric Yap, MBA

  profey@aol.com

eric yap photoEric Yap has over 20 years of teaching experience at universities and colleges throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  He started his education career at California State University, East Bay.  Since then, he has been an instructor for three community colleges, University of California, and three private universities.  He has taught courses to students majoring in Accounting, Finance and other Business subjects.  He has been a member of the business faculty at Las Positas College teaching accounting courses since 2008.

In addition to teaching, Eric Yap has been working in the fields of Accounting, Finance and Supply Chain Management concurrently.  He has worked for a variety of organizations in diverse industries such as manufacturing, distribution, logistics, retail, service and government.  Serving in many different capacities, he has helped these organizations increase their revenue, grow market share, and become more profitable while maintaining high quality levels and providing excellent service.  Currently, he is serving as a Controller for a major food distribution company in their local office. 

 

For more information please contact:

Anne Kennedy
Outreach Specialist
  (925) 424-1273
 akennedy@laspositascollege.edu

Las Positas College

3000 Campus Hill Drive
Livermore, CA 94551
(925) 424-1000

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