Whittier College’s new students should already be familiar with their teachers, but that doesn’t mean the fresh faces are known to everyone outside of the classroom.
Here are the latest tenure-track professors and lecturers to instruct at the College this fall.
Jessica Ochoa ’12, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry
Ochoa was raised in the greater Los Angeles area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Whittier College and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
This year, Ochoa is teaching biochemistry and general chemistry. Her students will use advanced techniques like crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and protein structure prediction tools. She is passionate about biochemistry and structural biology because it allows her to visualize and understand the intricate molecular interactions and structures that underpin biological processes, bridging the gap between abstract concepts and observable phenomena.
“I value the role of mentorship in my career and I aim to provide similar support to students at Whittier College,” Ochoa said. “I’m excited to return as a professor and continue exploring the molecular interactions of proteins with my students.”
Jacquelyne Estrada, assistant professor of theater, film and theater arts
Estrada discovered her love for theater through theme parks and immersive experiences. She received her bachelor's degree in technical theater and design from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona — where mentoring her fellow students fostered a love of teaching — and attended the University of California, Irvine for her MFA in drama.
“I was drawn to Whittier College's smaller, more intimate classes as a way to be able to individually work with students, tailoring course work and design philosophy to everyone differently,” Estrada said. “Beyond the classroom, I wanted to find a way to be able to bring new theater practitioners into the industry through assistant work and hands-on experiences.”
Estrada is teaching Introduction to Design and Technology this year and is also a professor for the theater and film practicum classes.
Robben Teufel, lecturer of mathematics and computer science
Originally from Ventura County, Teufel attended California State University, Channel Islands as a first-generation college student. Working on real-world problems there, such as studying the potential for geometric modeling to leverage the process of automating schizophrenia diagnosis, inspired him to pursue graduate education in applied mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
While working as a teaching assistant, he developed a fondness for mentoring students and moved to New York to teach at Hudson Valley Community College for three years before returning to California to be closer to family and friends.
“The environment of Whittier allows faculty to get to know students on a deeper level and mentor them more effectively through their academic journey and beyond,” Teufel said. “I am invested in the success of my students, and working at Whittier gives me the opportunity and resources to provide a transformative education to each and every one of them. Just as my mentors did for me, I am excited to introduce students to the beautiful and creative world of mathematics.”
This semester, Teufel is teaching Modern Algebra, Calculus & Analytical Geometry II, and Introduction to Computer Systems.
Ian Patrick, lecturer in art and visual studies
Patrick — a painter and illustrator — received his bachelor’s degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, his MFA from the University of California San Diego, and is an alumnus of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine.
“I was drawn to the Whittier community by its excellent faculty, charming campus, and by the energy and spark of its students,” Patrick said.
When not teaching classes on painting, animation, and graphic design or working in his studio, Patrick can be found enjoying record stores and hiking trails or re-arranging his furniture.
Kathy Villalón ’06 M’11, Ph.D., lecturer in education and child development
Growing up in the borderlands of Pico Rivera and Whittier, Villalón’s teaching practices have been deeply influenced by her parents' migration experiences from Mexico in the early 1970s. Her background instilled in her a profound appreciation for social justice, equity, diversity, and the importance of inclusive and responsible education.
“My work aims to shed light on the challenges faced by students in mixed-status families and advocate for policies supporting their success,” Villalón said. “I am committed to developing and implementing educational practices that support vulnerable populations and ensure every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities.”
Her bachelor’s degree in sociology and global studies led her to a master’s degree in education — both from Whittier — and she received a Ph.D. in educational policy studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social LGBTQ co-caucus chair and holds a postdoc research associate position at the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research in the Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative.
As a lecturer, Villalón is teaching Urban Education, Teaching Diverse Learners, and Children Family and Community.
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