Kristina Dowlatshahi
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Kristi Dowlatshahi obtained her BA and MA in the Communication Studies Department at California State University, Long Beach and has been an educator in the Community College system since 2002. Kristi feels teaching is her passion and she is committed to student success. Moreover, Kristi enjoys working with diverse students and strives to motivate them to face their fears, tackle their challenges, and to build a strong communication skill set that will enhance both their personal and professional relationships.
Samira Habash
Dept. Chair & Professor, Communication Studies
Professor Samira Habash considers effective communication an essential skill needed to build and nourish healthy relationships. Professor Habash earned her AA degree in Speech Communication from El Camino College. Thereafter, she completed her BA and MA degree in Speech Communication from California State University, Long Beach. In 2010, Professor Habash earned her doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration & Leadership from the UC Irvine/CSU Long Beach joint doctoral program.
Alexandre Hatlestad-Shey
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Throughout my life, I have been fascinated by the process of communication. Living abroad in Belgium, Japan, and Brazil, I developed a deep appreciation for cultures and languages. These interests and experiences led me to focus my education in Communication Studies. I enjoy teaching all aspects of Communication including Public Speaking, Argumentation & Debate, Interpersonal, Intercultural, and Mass Communication. It is an honor to be part of the Long Beach City College tradition and I look forward to working with our eclectic student population.
Melinda Manlowe
Professor, Communication Studies
I have been teaching a variety of courses in the Communication Studies Department at Long Beach City College since 1996. Ultimately, our courses offer a thorough examination of how better communication can improve the quality of our relationships and our communities. Our classes are experiential, supportive and stimulating. Each semester, we embark upon a journey of growth and greater understanding of the world around us.
Laura Mayuga
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
I always knew that I wanted to be an educator. I took my first communication studies class, interpersonal communication, and what I learned ignited a fire in my head and heart. I knew that I found exactly what I was meant to do with my life! I love what I do. My passion is apparent inside and outside of the classroom in my interactions with students. Together, we create a supportive classroom environment where students are welcomed, engaged, respected…and know they belong. In the classroom, I believe in compassion and rigor.
Christina Moorhead
Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Students often learn best when they know their teachers genuinely care about and support their success. With that in mind, I strive to create a classroom community that is a welcoming, meaningful, student-centered experience. Prior to joining the Communication Studies faculty in 1996, I began my teaching career as an English as a Second Language instructor.
Kari Ann Pike
Assistant Professor, Communications Studies
Long Beach City College is where my passion for learning about communication was ignited. After receiving an AA in Liberal Arts from LBCC, I continued onto CSULB where I earned a B.A.
Douglas Raphael
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
I was born and raised in Bellflower, CA. I have an A.A. from Cypress College and was a member of the tennis team and the debate team. I earned a bachelor’s degree from CSULB and was on the crew (rowing) team and the debate team. I received a master’s degree in Speech and a law degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I taught communication courses in the Hawaii community college system for nine years before moving back to California. Many students feel nervous about taking a speech class. I understand this because I felt the same way.
Analisa Ridenour
Professor, Communication Studies
Analisa Ridenour has a teaching emphasis on Performance and Culture. Her creative Master’s thesis, Taking Back the Trinity: In the Name of the Mujer was awarded outstanding thesis in College of Social Sciences in 1995 from CSULB. She continues to foster that love of culture and performance in the classroom by helping students feel more confident and comfortable in front of one another as well as help students reflect and appreciate cultural differences and strategies.