Highlighting the amazing Administration, Faculty, Classified Professionals, and Students that make up our pirate family.
This month's highlights include:
Tristen Banaay (Student), Vanessa Stotler (Director of Outreach and Marketing), Samuel Smith (Plumber)
Name: Tristen Banaay
Major: Business Administration with specialization in Human Resources.
Years at Ventura College: 2 years
Family Life: Only child
Hobbies: Going to the gym, working on my project car, and traveling.
Favorite Food: Sashimi
Favorite Movie: The Town
Favorite Song: Champagne Supernova by Oasis.
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I like exploring uncharted territories and I am a beach bum.
Name: Vanessa Stotler
Primary role at the college: Director of Outreach and Marketing
Years of Service: Almost a month at Ventura College and over 8 years in higher education.
Family: I am married to my wonderful husband Jack and we both live here in beautiful Ventura. We are both Dodger fans and go to games as often as possible. My mom worked as a sample maker at Patagonia for over 15 years so when I was little, I would tell her I would eventually live here in Ventura…. and here I am!
Hobbies: Creating charcuterie boards and hosting game nights with friends.
Favorite Food: Sushi and fish tacos!
Favorite Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Favorite Song: Fruta Fresca by Carlos Vives
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I used to do voiceover and enjoyed voicing projects for radio & digital commercials as well as audiobooks. I’m not as active anymore as it has become competitive. However, I will never forget how special it feels to record in a professional recording studio.
Name: Samuel Martinez
Primary role at the College: Plumber
Years of Service: 1.5 Months
Family: Wife (Susie), Daughter (Alexiz), Daughter (Frankie)
Hobbies: Fishing and Hunting
Favorite Food: Ribs and Pasta
Favorite Movie: Home Alone
Favorite Song: Hotel California
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I love to take my family on vacations.
Name: Kafui Okosun
Primary role at the college: Nursing Instructor
Years of Service: In my 3rd year (started fall 2019)
Family: I have 3 girls (22, 19, and 14 yrs of age). My 2 oldest are nursing students and my husband is a Psych Nurse Practitioner. My parents are retired professors. I have 2 younger siblings who are MD (Surgeon and internal medicine) and a younger brother who is a corporate lawyer
Hobbies: I love to read critical care nursing books and articles. I really need a new hobby…
Favorite food: I don’t have a favorite, but I think African food is the best any day. You can’t beat egusi soup and fufu
Favorite song: I love contemporary Christian songs. My favorite is “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Elevation Worship
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: I speak 4 different languages and can understand a few other African dialects.