Alyssa Marie Beach
Orange,California
Summary
I am an adjunct college professor with over ten years of experience teaching geology and Earth science in community colleges and the CSU system, with a personal emphasis on environmental stewardship. I am dedicated to ensuring that science concepts are engaging, relevant, and accessible through student-driven, hands-on pedagogy, while upholding academic integrity. As a licensed professional geologist (PG) with ten years of industry experience and a robust professional network, I bring contemporary content to the classroom and provide career and internship opportunities for science majors. In addition, I have several pending publications, ongoing grant-funded research, and numerous awards for teaching, professional leadership, and safety practices. I also find great value in participating in campus committees and community volunteer opportunities.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Professor
Santa Ana College
09.2010 - Current
- Generated course materials for non-science and science majors in various geology and Earth science courses
- Utilize project-based inquiry and flipped-classroom pedagogies to conduct lectures and facilitate class discussions, equitable group activities, and student-led research presentations
- Develop and lead single-day field trips and multi-day field studies to various locations in Southern California, including Death Valley National Park, the Mojave Desert, the Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Recycling facility, Dana Point Harbor, and various sites in the Santa Ana Mountains
- Provide individualized support and mentorship to students in a culturally diverse classroom on a campus with a historically higher percentage of Hispanic students
- Forthcoming member of the Sustainable RSCCD Committee
- Facilitated a walking field trip to the SAC Tessmann Planetarium for a 1-hour Astronomy presentation
- Developed engaging course materials to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Facilitated interactive discussions to promote critical thinking among students.
- Provided timely feedback on assignments to support student progress.
- Collaborated with faculty to align curriculum with institutional goals and standards.
- Mentored students in academic and career planning, fostering personal growth.
Adjunct Professor
Santiago Canyon College
01.2020 - Current
- Create course materials, including engaging curricula for non-science and science majors in various Geology and Earth Science courses
- Utilize project-based inquiry and flipped-classroom pedagogies to conduct lectures and facilitate lively class discussions, equitable group activities, and student-led research presentations
- Develop and lead single-day field trips and multi-day field studies to various locations in Southern California, including Dana Point Harbor, along the San Andreas Fault Zone, and various sites related to the paleontological and petrological histories of Orange County
- Provide individualized support and mentorship to students in a culturally diverse classroom
- Serves as planning committee member for SCC’s annual Community Science Night
Part-Time Lecturer
California State University, Fullerton
09.2019 - Current
- Create course materials, including engaging curricula for non-science and science majors in various Geology courses
- Develop instruction on pedagogical concepts and the application of the Next Generation Science Standards for upper-level Planet Earth for Educators courses
- Utilize project-based inquiry and flipped-classroom pedagogies to conduct lectures and facilitate lively class discussions, equitable group activities, and student-led research presentations
- Provide individualized support to students in a culturally diverse classroom in a department with a higher percentage of female to male students
- Participating member of the Inclusivity and Equity in GeoSciences Committee
Adjunct Professor
Golden West College
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Conducted student-centered, activity-based instruction for Geology laboratory courses
- Responsible for leading two one-day field trips to Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary and Little Corona Del Mar
- Provided individualized support to students in a culturally diverse classroom on a campus with a historically higher percentage of Asian students
Adjunct Professor
Cerritos College
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Created course materials, including engaging curricula for non-science and science majors for a combination lecture/lab Geology course
- Developed and led three one-day field trips along the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, Dana Point Harbor, and along the San Andreas Fault Zone
- Provided individualized support to students in a culturally diverse classroom at a campus with a higher percentage of students from Los Angeles County
Project Geologist
Environmental Resources Management
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Managed site investigations for potential environmental impacts, including file reviews, site walks, and collection of soil, groundwater, stormwater, and/or air samples while following strict quality control protocols during collection and transportation
- Developed remediation plans for the removal of contaminated soil and/or groundwater using a wide variety of methods
- Responsible for budgeting, bidding, scheduling, permitting, and supervising work performed by subcontracted vendors, including well installation and development, general demolition, soil excavation and backfilling, trenching and piping, and various drilling methods for profiling and sample collection
- Authored numerous environmental site assessments, subsurface investigations, and site remediation reports for a variety of clients, including LAX, BNSF, EPA, BP, UCSB, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other responsible parties.
- Achieved lead roles in staff training, health and safety, compliance, data analysis, and client management
- Project Highlights: Attained Lead Site Safety Officer at an emergency spill response decontamination station in Biloxi, Mississippi, during the Deepwater Horizon disaster, where I was responsible for the safety of over 40 workers and a revolving list of vendors 12 hours a day for 14-day increments for 6 months
- Granted Senior Field Geologist on a high-profile, confidential project to delineate a large, relic hexavalent chromium groundwater plume extending in three cities within Los Angeles County
- Led geological assessments to identify environmental impacts and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary teams for site investigations and remediation projects.
- Developed detailed geological maps and reports to support project objectives.
Staff Geologist
Brown and Caldwell
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Conducted site investigations for potential environmental impacts, including file reviews, site walks, and collection of soil, groundwater, stormwater, and air samples while following strict quality control protocols during collection and transportation
- Supervised contractor activities during site remediation projects such as well installation, destruction and development; soil excavation and backfilling; trenching and piping; drilling; and numerous specialized remediation methods.
- Responsible for budgeting, bidding, scheduling, and permitting while working closely with contractors, municipalities, and clients.
- Co-authored numerous environmental site assessments, subsurface investigations, and site remediation reports for a variety of high-profile clients, including CalTrans, EPA, UCI, Shell USA, Inc., Senior Aerospace Ketema, and other responsible parties.
- Office expert in managing multiple large datasets utilizing the gINT software program used to integrate boring log data, laboratory data, and geotechnical data to create various report documents, such as downhole stratigraphic profiles, fence diagrams, and geologic cross sections.
- Founding member of a local Toastmasters club comprised of co-workers. Gained invaluable public speaking and active listening skills integral to a career as a science instructor. Modeled current student-led research presentations in introductory courses on this experience.
- Project Highlights: Achieved Lead Geologist on long-term contract for remediation and mitigation of petroleum-related contaminants at a former Shell US, Inc. facility in Carson, California
- Assigned Lead Geologist on long-term contract for remediation and mitigation of chlorinated solvents at a former Senior Aerospace facility in El Cajon, California
- Conducted geological assessments to support environmental projects and regulatory compliance.
- Led site investigations, utilizing advanced geotechnical tools and methodologies for accurate data collection.
- Mentored junior geologists in field techniques and data analysis to enhance team competency and performance.
- Developed and implemented innovative strategies for groundwater remediation projects, improving project efficiency.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to integrate geological data into project plans for optimal outcomes.
- Analyzed geological samples using laboratory equipment, ensuring high standards of accuracy and reliability in reporting.
Education
M.S. - Geological Science
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA06.2016
B.S. - Geological Science
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA06.2005
A.A. - Liberal Arts
Rancho Santiago Community College
Santa Ana, CA08.2000
Skills
- Online teaching
- Innovative teaching
- Interdisciplinary approach
- Diversity awareness
- Classroom presentations
- Student mentoring
- Subject matter expertise
- Student engagement
- Multimedia integration
- Student motivation
- Professional networking
- Active learning
- Project-based learning
- Individualized support
- Lecturing
Awards And Scholarships
- SAC Adjunct Faculty of the Year Awardee, 2021
- SAC Adjunct Faculty of the Year Runner-up, 2019
- Various Safety & Leadership Recognition Awards, ERM, 2008-2013
- Judith A. Presch Desert Graduate Student Research Scholarship Recipient, 2009
- Various Safety & Leadership Recognition Award, Brown and Caldwell, 2003-2008
- CSUF Science Research in Thailand (SMRT) Scholarship Recipient & Participant, 2003
Publications
- Pending Publication: Beach, A., Cammarota, R., Guerrero, M., and Zepeda, F. LIFT: Learning with AI, Implementing Change, Fostering Equity, Transforming Teaching, In progress
- Publication: Woods, A. D., Beach, A., Caesar, K., Chen, N. M., Hernandez, E. L., Leeper, R. J, and Santos, G. “Sedimentology and Geochemistry of the Lower Triassic (Spathian) Silver Lake Formation”, 2020
- Presenter: Virtual STEM Presenter in K-12 Physical Science classrooms, Pathful (formerly Nepris), 2018-Present
- Keynote Speaker: “A Paleodepositional Reconstruction of Middle Miocene Cetacean Bonebeds from the Topanga Formation, San Joaquin Hills, Orange County, California”, 09/01/16
- Presentation: “A Taphonomic, Stratigraphic, and Geochemical Analysis of Middle Miocene Cetacean Bonebeds from the Topanga Formation, San Joaquin Hills, Orange County, California”, 04/01/16
- Poster Presentation “A Taphonomic, Stratigraphic, and Geochemical Analysis of Middle Miocene Cetacean Bonebeds from the Topanga Formation, San Joaquin Hills, Orange County, California”, 12/01/15
- Poster Presentation: “A Taphonomic, Stratigraphic, and Geochemical Analysis of Middle Miocene Cetacean Bonebeds from the Topanga Formation, San Joaquin Hills, Orange County, California”, 05/01/15
- Poster Presentation: “Determination of the Venusian Lithospheric Thickness using Frequency-Length Statistics of Linear Fractures on the Guinevere Planitia”, 05/01/05
Volunteer And Leadership Positions
- Committee Member, Sustainable RSCCD Committee, 2026
- Committee Member, Santiago Canyon College Community Science Night, 2022-Present
- Board Member, South Coast Geological Society, 2021-Present
- Certified Global Climate Reality Leader, The Climate Reality Project, 2021-Present
- Volunteer, ScienceOC, STEMCorps, 2016-2020
- Volunteer Researcher, John D. Cooper Paleontological and Archeological Center, 2013-Present
- Board Member, Women’s Environmental Council, Orange County Chapter, 2008-2010
- Geology and Astronomy Merit Badge Counselor, Girl and Boy Scouts of America, 2002-Present
- Secretary, Inter-Club Council, Santa Ana College, 2000-2001
- President/Founder, Earth and Space Science Club, Santa Ana College, 1999-2001
Licenses And Memberships
- California Professional Geologist License (#8926), 01/01/11 - Present
- South Coast Geological Society, 01/01/11 - Present
- Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, 01/01/10 - Present
Professional Development
- Supporting First-Generation Students Using Community-Building Strategies (CSUF), 01/01/26
- Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation (MIT), 01/01/25
- Generative AI (ChatGPT/LLM) Faculty Workshop (CSUF), 01/01/25
- Mid-Career Virtual Retreat (SAC), 01/01/25
- Supporting Neurodivergent Students 5-day Program (CSUF), 01/01/24
- Inclusivity in Geoscience Webinar (CSUF), 01/01/24
- Living Geology of Death Valley (Southwestern Oregon Community College), 01/01/24
- The Anthropocene Conference (CSUF), 01/01/23
- Equitable Pedagogy (CSUF), 01/01/22
- Climate Change Webinar with Al Gore (Climate Reality Project), 01/01/22
- Meeting of the Minds (SCC), 01/01/21
- Social Justice with Kumau Bell (CSUF), 01/01/21
- Remote Instruction Certification Workshop (SAC), 01/01/20
- Asynchronous Teaching Remotely in Canvas Workshop (CSUF), 01/01/20
- Assessing Your SLOs (SAC), 01/01/19
- Guided Pathways Forum (SAC), 01/01/19
- Invisible Barriers: Equitable Classroom Practices (GWC), 01/01/19
- Supporting & Accommodating Students with Disabilities (SAC), 01/01/19
- How to Engage Students using Canvas (SAC), 01/01/19
- Green Dot: Practical Tools for the Classroom, Campus, and Community (GWC), 01/01/19
- 15 Positive Activities to Increase Student Success (GWC), 01/01/19
- Canvas Bronze Certification (SAC), 01/01/18
- Growth Mindset (CC), 01/01/18
- Open Educational Resources: Copyrights & Student Success (GWC), 01/01/18
- Targeted Universalism (CC), 01/01/18
- Adjunct Institute (SAC), 01/01/17
- Strengths Quest (SAC), 01/01/17
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
Santiago Canyon College
01.2020 - Current
Part-Time Lecturer
California State University, Fullerton
09.2019 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Cerritos College
09.2018 - 12.2018
Adjunct Professor
Golden West College
01.2018 - 01.2019
Adjunct Professor
Santa Ana College
09.2010 - Current
Project Geologist
Environmental Resources Management
01.2008 - 01.2014
Staff Geologist
Brown and Caldwell
01.2003 - 01.2008
M.S. - Geological Science
California State University, Fullerton
B.S. - Geological Science
California State University, Fullerton
A.A. - Liberal Arts
Rancho Santiago Community College