Meet the Staff

Vince Cuseo, Vice President and Dean for Admission and Financial Aid- Vince was named Vice President following the retirement of Bill Tingley and after a decade of service to Occidental, the last eight of which as Dean of Admission. Vince came to Occidental after spending six years at Grinnell College as director of admission. He also has served as associate director of admission at Stanford University, and held positions at Boston College and Santa Clara University. Vince attended Fordham University as an undergraduate and earned a Master's degree from Columbia University.

Maureen McRae, 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.

Robin Thompson, Associate Director of Financial Aid-Robin joined Oxy from Pomona College where she was the Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Robin earned her MBA from Claremont Graduate University's Peter Drucker School of Management, and her BA in History from Pomona College. Robin manages the office's operating systems, federal grant programs, and counsels families. She is also the primary contact in financial aid for prospective student athletes. Robin has been elected to serve on the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA) executive council as the Independent Colleges Representative.

Gina Becerril, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid-Gina earned her MA degree from Stanford and is a 1999 graduate of UCLA. She came 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 families, administering federal student loan programs, and community outreach.

Nancy Medina'07, Counselor- Nancy is an alumna of Occidental. She graduated in 2007 with a distinction in History. As a student, she worked for both the Admission and Financial Aid offices. Nancy's responsibilities include counseling families, coordinating outside scholarships, Cal Grants, and work study programs.

Gracie Peralta, Administrative Assistant- Gracie is a Los Angeles native and graduated from UCLA with a degree in History. She has worked and volunteered in various capacities assisting students and the local community through her employment at LAUSD and the City of Los Angeles. She has participated in local volunteer programs, and in community development and organizing projects. Gracie is dedicated to helping students succeed and looks forward to assisting the Occidental community.

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

 

Darrell Winfrey'12, Student Intern- Darrell is a fourth-year student from Dallas, Texas majoring in Economics with an emphasis in Business and Management.

  

 

Juan German '12, Student Intern-Juan is a fourth-year student from Providence, Rhode Island majoring in Diplomacy & World Affairs (DWA). 

 

Celia McTigue '13, Student Intern- Celia is a third-year student from Chevy Chase, Maryland majoring in Diplomacy & World Affairs (DWA), with a minor in French.   

 

Sarah Shirley '14, Student Intern-Sarah is a second-year student from Santa Clarita, California. Sarah is considering a major in English Comperative and Literary Studies (ECLS).