Meet the Staff

William Tingley, Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid - During Bill's 37-year career, he has served as associate dean of admission at Stanford, director of admission at Whitman College, director of financial aid at UC Santa Cruz, and as vice president for admission and financial aid at Pitzer College. Bill has held many leadership roles with the College Board, including two terms as chair of the Western region and three years as a member of the National Admission and Guidance Committee. He currently serves on the California ACT Advisory Council.

Maureen McRae Levy, Director of Financial Aid - Maureen, a past president of the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA), has been involved in leadership positions in many state, regional and national financial aid associations. She brings the Admission and Financial Aid team more than 25 years of experience in the field of financial aid. She began at her alma mater, the University of Redlands, and previously served as associate dean of financial aid at Glendale Community College. In between, she took a break to earn her master's degree at the University of Sheffield in England. She currently teaches in UCLA Extension's College Counseling Program.

Brett Schraeder, Director of Enrollment Management Systems - Brett joins us in the newly established position of director of enrollment management systems. Brett coordinates all systems and technology for both the admission and financial aid offices. His primary student-oriented responsibility will be working with prospective athletes in the aid process. Brett was most recently director of financial aid at California Lutheran University and started in admission and financial aid at Whittier College. He received his BA in mathematics and political science from Whittier and a MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business.

Cheryl Gillies, Associate Director of Financial Aid - Cheryl is the newest member of the Oxy Financial Aid Staff. With over sixteen years in the student financial aid setting, most recently at California Institute of the Arts, Cheryl serves as the Associate Director. A graduate of College of the Canyons and CSU Northridge, Cheryl brings her knowledge of financial aid and her gift of organization to provide more streamlined service to students and their families. 

Gina Becerril, Assistant Director of Financial Aid - Gina earned her MA degree from Stanford  in Spanish literature and is a 1999 graduate of UCLA.  She comes to Oxy from the Fulfillment Fund, where she served as the scholarship program coordinator and worked with economically disadvantaged students, helping them with the transition from high school to college.  Gina’s responsibilities include counseling students and families, loan processing, and community outreach.

Elizabeth Powell  '02, Financial Aid Counselor  - Liz worked in the Financial Aid Office while an undergraduate. After graduation, she moved back to her home state of New York where she earned her MA in International Education from New York University.  After two-and-a-half years in the field of International Education, Liz made the transition to Financial Aid and looks forward to helping students achieve their higher education goals.  Liz’s responsibilities include counseling students and families, the Cal grant program, coordinating outside scholarships and community outreach.

Dan Dabek, Administrative Assistant - Dan is a Connecticut native and a recent graduate from The Hartt School of Music at The University of Hartford.  While obtaining his bachelors degree, Dan worked on campus and was active in student life. Some of his activities included Habitat for Humanity, the community wind band, and an art and music festival for social change.  He is a passionate supporter of the missions and goals of academic institutions and he looks forward to assisting the Occidental students and community.  

Jean Gaudern, Data Entry Clerk -  Jean came to Occidental in October 2000, from working in tax preparation and medical billing. Jean ensures that applications and other paperwork finds its way to its proper place. She helps create a warm and friendly climate for Occidental students.

Sergio Arteaga '08, Student Intern - Sergio is a senior from Inglewood, California majoring in Diplomacy and World Affairs and minoring in History & Education. 

Ester Kim '08, Student Intern - Ester is a senior from Oak Park, California majoring in Art History/Visual Arts with an emphasis in Stuido Art. 

    Matias Zamora '11, Student Intern - Matt is a first year student from Santa Fe, New Mexico contemplating a major in Theater and/or English.