"Believe - Achieve - Receive"

Smooth Transtion Inc. Receives 2011 Best of Riverside Award by the U.S. Commerce Association and the 2011 Community Connect Award for Innovation for the County of Riverside

Robin Goins-Cornell, MS - President / Executive Director Robin holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from Golden Gate University, a Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Capella University, and is a PhD-ABD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Capella University.  She is an experienced college professor and serves as faculty for several well respected colleges and universities, both online and on campus. She has over 8 years of experience in the online instruction medium and work extensively in online curriculum development and working to bring quality online education to the world. She serves as a staff counselor to students on campus. Robin is an experienced executive coach and trainer, working with executives and managers in transition, and coaching them on life and career management strategies.  She has over 30 years of experience in business and management, having worked in corporate construction and home building industries for the majority of that time.  As Executive Director of Smooth Transition Inc., Robin oversees the educational development elements of the program and works with students and universities on ground and online to provide the best educational and vocational training and options available for those within the program and to ensure that the curriculum is of quality and is meeting the needs of the participants. As a college professor specializing in psychology, sociology, career development, life planning and motivational theory, Robin provides the youth within the program with the education and tools needed to move to the next level. Being a pioneer in the field of online and hybrid learning, she is an active member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP) as well as other online professional groups such as The Sloan Consortium, E-Learning 2.0, Instructional Design Professional Group, Online College Executives and Professionals, Innovative Learning Group, Moodlers, InfoPro Learning, Learning as a Service (Laas), Online Training and e-Learning, Webheads in Action, LearnHub, Professionals with Online Degrees, EON Foundation – Dedicated to Advanced Global Learning, EduDecisions Online Education & Distance Learning Community. In addition, as a practicing Industrial and Organizational Psychologist, Robin works to bridge any gaps between program participants and our team of organizations to ensure a fluid transition and employer / employee satisfaction. Robin is also the Vice-Chair of the Riverside County Workforce Investment Board Council for Youth Development and a Grant Peer Reviewer for the US Department of Education. For more information on Robin Goins, please visit  www.robinrgoins.com.  Contact rgoins@smoothtransitioninc.com Kathleen (Kat) Holmstrom, MA - Vice President and Mentor Kat is a special education teacher for the mild and moderately learning disabled in the Perris Elementary School District.  She holds a Masters in Special Education, is CLAD certified and is a BTSA support provider in the district. In her work she is dedicated to enthusiastic and dynamic teaching as a means of creating and nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge in children and adults. Kat provides resource support services to students with special needs in a pull-out program (Learning Center) and in the general education setting.  She assists the general education teachers in modification and differentiation of instruction for students with special needs by working collaboratively with general education teachers to provide instruction in the classroom.  She also assists and directs Para-Educators in implementing instruction to students to meet goals/objectives of IEP’s.  She consults with appropriate specialists regarding the support services to be rendered by persons such as speech and language therapists, school psychologists, school nurses, outside service providers, occupational and physical therapists, etc., in sharing the responsibilities for implementing the IEP.  She is well trained in the assessment of pupil progress on a regular basis, revises short-term instructional objectives as appropriate, and consults with appropriate support specialists regarding pupils who do not demonstrate adequate progress. She participates in SST meetings as appropriate and participates in the planning and evaluation of the special education program. Kat's expertise as an on ground teacher and her experience in creating curriculum for special needs students makes her a great asset to the Smooth Transition team and to the students we serve. Contact Kat at kholmstrom@smoothtransitioninc.com . Pius Anyakora, BA - Board Member, Mentor and Instructor In addition to his service on the Board, Pius serves as a mentor and instructor in computer literacy for the organization.  His background in computer science and education ensures that participants of our programs are receiving the most comprehensive and quality driven technology curriculum possible. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology from California State Polytechnic University, an Associate of Science in Electronic Engineering from Fullerton College and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Automobile Technology City and Guilds of London Institute, London, UK. Pius is a native of Nigeria and also speaks fluent Spanish, which makes him able to meet the many needs of the diverse community of Riverside.  He also worked as a Peer Counselor for Fullerton College, where he provided student counseling, academic advisement, and co-planned and managed EOPS student registration, orientation and other on-campus events. His dedication to education, community and commitment to family makes him a perfect fit to the organization. Contact Pius at anyakorap@yahoo.com . Rosemary Gore, BA- Board Member and Mentor Rosemary serves as a board member and mentor, teaching financial literacy and other financial related courses for the organization.  Rosemary works for Wells Fargo Bank and received an award for Banker of the Year in 2011.  She has an extensive financial background and believes in the commitment to improving the community through financial literacy education.  She also certified in stocks, bonds and investments through Chaffey College and has a BA in French Literature and Language, and a Minor, Italian Studies, N.C. State University. Her commitment to financial literacy and education makes Rosemary a perfect addition to our organization as a whole and we are grateful to have her on our Board of Directors. Contact Rosemary at info@smoothtransition.com. Carolyn Ortman, MBA - Advisory Committe Member Carolyn is a marketing expert and professional trainer and speaker with over eighteen years of experience in fast-paced environments for public, non-profit and government sectors. She has managed marketing programs and departments, including hiring, training, and managing staff. Carolyn has experience working in multi-agency and cross-functional settings, plus managing vendors, developed and implemented new promotion, increasing new business by 15%., developed credit union’s first strategic marketing and business development plan. She has hired and trained marketing staff in growth environment, using effective team-building skills, created and launched first Mercury Mobility awards program, targeting largest Orange County employers. Achieved goals of program in attendance and awareness raised. Carolyn is recognized as motivated and energetic presenter, trainer and facilitator for both international and domestic organizations. Exceptional written, interpersonal, and liaison skills and has developed, delivered and facilitated hundreds of corporate onsite and public training sessions, workshops and presentations.  Carolyn serves on our advisory board and specialized in fundraising development for Smooth Transition, Inc.  ckayo@earthlink.net .	Lindsey Addis-McCafferty  - Secretary & Program Administrator Lindsey is one of Smooth Transition’s greatest success stories. She has come up the ranks of Smooth Transition as first a mentee, then mentor, administrative assistant and now as program administrator.  Her experience in not only experiencing the program first hand gives her the insight necessary to administer all project related duties in a way that serves both the program and participants with the highest level of quality.  She brings great experience when working with the youth and is able to work with them on their level in the most effective manner possible.  Contact laddis@smoothtransitioninc.com Tony Ortiz, BA - Board Member and Mentor Tony currently serves as a student outreach specialist for the Riverside Community College District. There he works with students coaching them on the value of education and finding ways to trigger their intrinsic motivation and perspectives toward education and their futures.  In the same way that his faith and vision have guided his career choices, Tony works in the community to break through to a community of unfulfilled individuals who have settled for their lowest expectation rather than their highest desires.  His purpose and passion is to educate and inform at-risk youth about the benefits of higher education and to provide them the much needed mentorship they need.   As a former football player, Tony instills the same values and coaching techniques to the youth he works with showing them how to win the game while developing character through faith and vision.  Tony received his AA degree in Journalism from RCC and his BA in Public Relations from Cal State Fullerton.  He is currently working on his MA in Public Administration from Cal Baptist University.  Tony also serves on the Council for Youth Development in addition to his work with Smooth Transition. Contact Tony at Tony.Ortiz@rcc.edu. Patricia Franks, MS- Board Member and Mentor Patricia Franks is an experienced professional and works as a contracts analyst for the County or Riverside Department of Social Services.  She also serves on many distinguished Boards throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and she holds a Masters in Organizational Management as well as a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. Patricia’s passion is reaching young at-risk youth through the performing arts, and serves as President and Executive Director of Anointed Vessel Productions, who mission and vision is to unite creative performers to provide high quality entertainment through stage plays that are thought provoking and speaks to the day to day life circumstances, to inspire the audience to have hope while responding to those circumstances. Patricia is an energetic professional with experience in high volume environments.  Her strengths include policy development and implementation, strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills with ability to set realistic priorities.  She is a dedicated, hard working, and creative individual, and Smooth Transition is proud to include Patricia as part of our Board of Directors. Contact Patricia at info@smoothtransition.com  and visit Anointed Vessel Productions at http://anointedvessel.org Jennifer Royston- Treasurer Jennifer serves as Treasurer for Smooth Transition and takes care of all of the financial aspects of the organization.  She is a seasoned Human Resource Specialist with over 30 years experience in the consulting, banking and entertainment industries. A reliable and hard working individual, she is able to wear multiple hats and see projects through to completion.  In addition, she has experience in IT management and implementation of HR and financial computer related software systems.  She retired from ABC Television (Disney Corp.) and Sanwa Bank as V.P. of Human Resources, overseeing over 1200 employees in one division and processed up to 12,000 W2’s per year. Her banking and financial management expertise is a valuable asset to the organization, and ensures the proper financial management and transparency of the organization’s financial holdings. Lynn Joseph, PhD. - Advisory Committee Member and Mentor Lynn is a psychologist, a recognized career and life transition specialist, and author of the highly acclaimed book, The Job-Loss Recovery Guide: A Proven Program for Getting Back to Work – Fast!  (New Harbinger Publications, June 2003), and its companion guided mental imagery recording, The Job-Loss Recovery Program. Her mission is to produce products and information designed to help reduce stress, maintain inner calm, and achieve one's goals despite obstacles. After having earned her doctoral degree in psychology, Dr. Joseph served as SVP, Career & Life Transition Programs, Parachute, Inc. She was previously an executive search consultant and also worked with Fortune 100 companies such as Johnson & Johnson in the arenas of sales management, training and human resources. She has been featured on hundreds of radio and TV programs nationally and was profiled by Fortune Magazine.  Dr. Joseph is best known for having developed and tested an effective strategy using guided mental imagery technology to reduce the landing time of downsized employees. These are powerful tools related to sports psychology visualization techniques. The resulting landmark study was published in the prestigious Consulting Psychology Journal, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Psychological Association, and received special recognition from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services for its remarkable results. Dr. Joseph has studied the development and application of guided mental imagery technology for over twenty years, and personally employed many of the techniques to journey smoothly through family caregiver responsibilities as well as career and life transitions. Dr. Joseph is a frequent contributing author to a number of publications and service websites. Contact dr.lynn.joseph@gmail.com Brian Grossman, PhD - Advisory Committee Member Dr. Brian is a trained clinical psychologist with a long history of working with at-risk populations having worked as a prison psychologist.  He specializes in effective conflict resolution and communication skills and also is a professor of psychology.  He is a published author on the topics of motivating underachieving populations and serves clients as a consultant, professional speaker, trainer and keynote speaker. Dr Brian’s expertise is from consulting and training over 4,000 leaders over a ten year period. Are you seeking immediate and lasting results for yourself and your team? His specific focus and passion is working with executives, managers and supervisors to support them in facilitating maximum performance in leadership. Dr. Brian has provided training for numerous organizations including JPL, Burlington Northern-Sante Fe Railroad, Goodwill Industries, Hewlett Packard, IBM, the IRS and the US Treasury. Dr. Brian, and his team of consultants and trainers are based in Los Angeles, California. He serves in the capacity of advisory committee member for Smooth Transition, Inc.  visit www.drbriangrossman.com or email drbrian@drbriangrossman.com .