The Next Mission Program is based out of the Young Adult and Family Center within the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Our team members are:
Kim Norman, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Young Adult and Family Center. Dr. Norman conceived and established the Next Mission Project within the Young Adult and Family Center. He is the proud father of two sons who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Christine Garcia, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist. Next Mission Director and Course Instructor. Christine specializes in helping others manage life transitions. She has interests in mindfulness and resilience as they apply to stress management. Christine has many family members who have served in the Army, Navy and Air Force and is excited to be a part of Next Mission.
Mary Dallman, Ph.D.,Professor Emerita at UCSF. Science Adviser. Mary is an expert in stress physiology and contributes her expertise to the program's focus on traumatic stress.
Kathrine Casillas, Project Manager. Kathrine manages and evaluates the Next Mission Program. She has extensive experience in mental health policy, advocacy, and education. Kathrine is passionate about working with students to achieve success in the Next Mission courses.
Abara Ijiomah, Producer/Director. Abara is an award winning photographer, and digital artist. He generates and oversees the production of the Next Mission videos and other multimedia content for the Young Adult and Family Center.
Christina Vega, Administrator. Christina is the Administrator for the Young Adult and Family Center and supports Next Mission in many ways.
Course Instructors
Eva Ihle, M.D., Ph.D.,Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF. Dr. Ihle is an expert on salutogenesis, the process by which powerful experiences enhance or bring about well-being through personal growth. She is one of the instructors of the first Next Mission course and (as you'll see in the first neurobiology video) loves the brain!
Keith Armstrong, L.C.S.W.,Clinical Professor of Psychiatry. Keith directs the Couples and Family Therapy Program and the Veterans Outreach Program at the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was recently named the 2013 VA Social Worker of the Year by the Veterans Health Administration.
Seth Norman, Course Instructor. Seth teaches the narrative portion of Stress, Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth and shares many of his own experiences as an Army Officer who deployed multiple times. After serving for more than five years in the Army, Seth attended Stanford Business School.
Christine Garcia, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist. Next Mission Director and Course Instructor. See bio above.
Lydia Davey, Course Instructor and Community Manager. Lydia is passionate about justice, restoration, and healing. She served as a U.S. Marine journalist and press chief from 2003 to 2011, and has worked extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. She is the founder and CEO of Moriah Creatives PR, a public relations firm that helps purpose-driven organizations and people grow strong brands.
Advisory Board – Women Warrior’s Course
Rachel Castellon, PhD., Rachel is a lifelong learner and is dedicated to personal and professional development. She served more than 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force and retired in 2011. She is the owner of Data's Head, LLC, providing HR consulting, leadership and management facilitation, curriculum development, and virtual world development. She has also earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.
Christina Gresham, Christina is a retired Army Officer who specializes in Human Resources Management. She is the HR Advisor for the US Military Veterans Foundation and has interests in establishing local Veteran's Initiatives and Victim Advocacy for Special Needs, Sexual and Domestic Assault.
Sarah Plummer Taylor, Sarah Plummer Taylor is a former Marine Corps Intelligence Officer and 5-time Military Olympian whose unique message of resilience has been changing lives since 2012. Sarah currently sits on the Military Advisory Committee for Service Women's Action Network. She is a published author and internationally sought-after motivational speaker with a passion for powerfully inspiring, instructing, and equipping audiences to roll with any challenge life throws at them. She is the founder of the Semper Sarah brand, and lives in Denver with her husband and three-legged wonder-dog.
Angela Randall, Angela is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served for 10 years at locations worldwide. She is a military spouse, mother of three and graduate student. Her personal experiences along with seeing friends struggle with reintegration and transitions led to her interest in helping veterans and military families. She is currently a volunteer at Edwards Airman & Family Readiness Center.
