Academy Resource Center

Online Academic Support

Meet Our Team

The following individuals are available to assist with various aspects of online academic coaching.

Ryan Kasmier
Director, Student Academic Support, Online Student Academic Support
Ryan received his B.S. in Political Science and Organizational Communication and did his M.A. work at the University of San Francisco in Organization and Leadership. He has been working in various higher education environments for over 5 years. In that time he has worked in several different areas including housing, academic advising, and multicultural student services. Ryan has served a two-year appointment to a national committee that works to bring greater awareness and examination of Native American issues to higher education. In his spare time, he can be found working in various Bay Area performance venues.

Sharlene Asuncion
Online Academic Coach
Sharlene became an educator to inspire students to achieve. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. Sharlene has participated in Teach for America, a National Teacher Corps Program. Her background includes classroom experience, educational non-profits, and Corporate America. Sharlene's favorite quote is “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” – Tennyson.

Aaron Field
Online Academic Coach
Aaron is a born and bred San Francisco native happily stuck in the cool, gray, city of love. His love of writing led him to pursue a degree in English with the University of California, Davis. After graduating with a BA, he worked as a manager at a used bookstore and then turned to non-profit work with the American Heart Association. Currently Aaron is the Online Education Coordinator working directly with Online Academic Support, assisting support advisors and students. He has been married since December 2001 to his high school sweetheart and they have four feline companions with no more on the way.

Eric Gerrick
Online Academic Coach
Eric has been a San Francisco performer for 30 years. After majoring in Theatre and Puppetry at Goddard College in Vermont, he continued his education at Sonia Moore Studio of the Theatre in NYC. His experiences as a director, technical director, writer, actor, puppeteer, performance artist, set designer and business manager have inspired others to call him a “born academic coach”. He thrives on assisting others in their pursuit of success and looks forward to teaching Seminar for Success in College with the Academy Resource Center.

Shayla Griffin
Online Academic Coach
Shayla Griffin received her BA in English from CSU San Bernardino and has been a bay area resident for 6 years. While at the Academy, Shayla has filled the roles of Administrative Assistant in the Graduate School and ARC. Now, as an Online Academic Support Advisor, Shayla enjoys serving the student population in an exciting new way. She loves good music, food, literature, and almost everything that came out of the 80s.

Penny Hondrogen
Online Academic Coach
Penny is currently an instructor as well as an online and onsite academic coach. She has extensive experience with both undergraduate and graduate students at AAU since she has worked as an English As A Second Language instructor, Seminar for Success instructor, ESL support teacher, tutor, and advocate during her lengthy tenure at the Academy. “The real value of the AAU education is the diversity of the student body, the professionals who teach the courses and the proximity of the classes to world class museums, galleries and agencies. If students can tap into these resources, then they will be ahead in the game.” Penny earned her master’s degree in TESOL from San Francisco State University, and lived in San Francisco for 16 years. When she is not working with her students, Penny volunteers at her daughter’s elementary school and tends her animals in Marin county.

Sherise Lee
Online Academic Coach
Sherise brings her love for both teaching and art into her role at the Academy. She graduated from the University of California at Davis (Go Ags!) with degrees in Art History and Sociology. She later completed a masters degree in second language education. Her experiences range from working in event marketing to teaching elementary school in China. When she's not traveling, Sherise enjoys running and pursuing her design interests. You can also find her on the hunt for good eats in the city.

Andrea Rocha
Online Academic Coach
Andrea is currently an Instructor and Online Academic Support Advisor. She comes to the Academy by way of the East Coast having gotten her undergraduate degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University and her Master's degree in Education from the University of South Carolina. Andrea has worked in higher education for over six years and loves being in such a dynamic and inspiring profession. In addition to this experience Andrea has spent close to two years studying, traveling and teaching English throughout Central America and Mexico. In her spare time Andrea loves meeting up with friends, enjoying the City and looking for exciting places to travel.