Fireside Chats
This series of interviews was initiated in January 2020 at the suggestion of SFHC alumna Ashley Jacobsen. Ashley has also taken on the task of an interviewer and — as you will see — she has done a great job! The series shares the stories of our alumni, how they’re giving back to their local communities, and the role the SFHC played in their success.
We are very thankful to Ashley for all her efforts to support the SFHC, in addition to taking time out of her very busy schedule to host this exciting video series.
Please visit the SFHC YouTube channel to watch all of our Fireside Chats. Past Chats have featured Gabriel Dillard ‘03, Brent Hansen ‘06, Raj Badhesha ‘05, Chris McComb ‘12, Ian Wieland ‘07, Sarah Hawkins ‘04/’05, and Harrison Schmitt ‘18.
Our most recent Chat features Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, marking our first SFHC parent chat!
Dr. Cantwell-Copher was raised in the Central Valley and has a deep appreciation for its unique cultural diversity, which she believes is one of Fresno County’s greatest strengths. She attended Fresno City College and Fresno State for her teaching degrees, ultimately earning a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of LaVerne. Over her career, she has opened new schools, achieved State Distinguished Schools recognitions, passed school bonds, assisted in district rapid growth, launched two educational foundations, led a movement to uplift the importance of early care and education, hosted a GradNation Summit, co-written the Central Valley Children’s Agenda and stewarded the Fresno Cradle 2 Career work. Those accomplishments are secondary to the privilege of teaching her students to read in the early years of her career as a classroom teacher. She led FCSS’s successful expansion of business-education partnerships and collaborative work with nonprofit, community-based organizations and civic groups. Since 2019, Dr. Cantwell-Copher has contributed to the work of the Fresno DRIVE Community Investment Plan that focuses on economic growth, human capital and neighborhood development. Dr. Cantwell-Copher is active in the community, serving on boards and volunteering at Valley Children’s Hospital. She was recognized as a Top 10 Business Woman of the Year in 2006. Dr. Cantwell-Copher is married to John, a Correctional Lieutenant with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, and together they have two children, Claire, a recent graduate of McGeorge School of Law, and Quaid, serving at the United States Naval Academy.
Other Fireside Chats
Fireside Chat #9 - With Harrison Schmitt
Harrison Schmitt graduated from Fresno State in 2018 with a BA in Psychology, a minor in Spanish, and a certificate in Global Awareness. This year, he graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a Ph.D. in Social Psychology with a minor in Public Health, and now teaches as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College. During his time in the doctoral program, he was also named a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.
Fireside Chat #8 - With Sarah Hawkins
Sarah Hawkins ‘04/’05 received her B.S. degree in General Kinesiology and her M.S. in Sports Psychology. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Clubs and Organizations at Cal Poly. After donating a kidney to a Fresno surgeon, she was named a Fresno State College of Health and Human Services Hero in 2021. Sarah holds leadership roles with Kidney Donor Athletes, Inc. and the C.L. Smith Elementary PTA and volunteers her time with the San Luis Obispo County Search and Rescue team. She has also completed 20 triathlons and owns her own business providing wilderness safety training.
Fireside Chat #7 - With Ian Wieland
Ian Wieland ‘07 received dual bachelor’s degrees in history and political science and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from San Joaquin College of Law. He was a founding member of Sgaser, Watkins & Wieland PC and currently serves as the firm’s managing shareholder. Ian represents private and public sector employees in all aspects of labor relations and employment law matters. He regularly counsels employers regarding human resources policy matters and employee relations issues.
Fireside Chat #6 - With Chris McComb
Chris McComb ‘12 was named the Dean’s Medalist of the Lyles College of Engineering in 2012 and received dual B.S. degrees in civil and mechanical engineering. He later attended Carnegie Mellon University as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, where he obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. His research interests include human social systems in design and engineering, machine learning for engineering design, human-AI collaboration and teaming, and STEM education.
Fireside Chat #5 - With Raj Singh Badhesha
Raj Singh Badhesha graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Communication and went on to attend law school at UC Hastings College of the Law. Raj is currently an Assistant City Attorney and works on many interesting and novel legal issues, along with some less-than-interesting routine matters.
Fireside Chat #4 - With Brent Hansen
Over the last 11 years, Brent Hansen has worked in various sales roles in the financial sector and is currently the Regional Director of Sales for Rectangle Health, a financial technology company specializing in the healthcare sector. He manages over half of the company’s nationwide outside sales force.
Fireside Chat #3 - With Gabriel Dillard
Gabriel Dillard is managing editor of The Business Journal, a family-owned, weekly business publication based in Downtown Fresno. He oversees a four-person newsroom that covers business-to-business dealings in Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties.
Fireside Chat #2 - With Amanda Whitten
A native of the Central Valley, Amanda Whitten was a member of the second graduating class of the Smittcamp Family Honors College. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from UC Davis Law School in 2007.
Fireside Chat #1 - With Dr. Saeed Attar
The inaugural video of Fireside Chats, a series of interviews with SFHC alumni, hosted by Ashley Jacobsen. Sit down with Dr. Saeed Attar and hear about the history of the Smittcamp Family Honors College.