SMC Emeritus Student Advisory Council
The Emeritus Student Advisory Council (ESAC) continues to be an advocate for students, ensuring that a broad range of noncredit classes is provided for lifelong learning. Below are the profiles of the current ESAC members.
Advisory Council Meeting Summary
2019-2020 Members
Judy Blits, Chairperson
I am returning to the Emeritus Student Advisory Council (ESAC) for a second term because
I believe in the benefits of lifelong learning. I am volunteering in the minicomputer
lab, member of the ESAC Fundraising subgroup, student, and previously SMC faculty
from 2012 to 2014 teaching computer classes at Emeritus.
I retired in 2004 from Raytheon Company previously Hughes Aircraft Company as a Financial Manager specializing in Manufacturing Inventory, Property Management and Capital Management. I was a middle school teacher for 6 years prior to joining Hughes Aircraft Company in 1977.
Michael Baroff
I was born in Hollywood and have lived in Santa Monica and neighboring Westside communities
since 1970 when I was a student at UCLA. I have had a 30+ year career as an Organizational
Effectiveness and Workplace Learning Consultant, am the author of The Inner Work of
Work and served as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Society for
Training and Development.
During the years my daughter was a student in the SMMUSD, I served as a PTA President and a member of the PTA Council and the Strategic Planning Committee, currently facilitating a workshop on Conscious Aging, have "re-imagined" my own life through my long-time avocation as an artist, and was also recently appointed to the Santa Monica Arts Commission. I enjoy taking the studio art classes at Emeritus and am committed to life-long learning and personal and community growth I am particularly interested in Emeritus convening additional symposia, workshops, presentations, and other educational programs in addition to the curriculum offerings.
Nina Borwick
I am a Communication Arts and Sciences graduate of Queens College in New York and
studied for my Masters at UCLA in Theater Arts. My career began in the literary agent
and publishing worlds, and I eventually became an executive in Motion Picture Film
Development for Columbia Pictures. I also crafted a course known as "The Role of the
Producer" which I taught at NYU for 6 years. I moved to Washington DC to marry in
1981, and several years after the birth of my daughter I turned to teaching and spent
25 years in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. My history with working
with writers also continued in DC, where I established an annual event called the
'Author's Roundtable'.
I strongly believe in the mission of Emeritus, where I continue to take and enjoy my classes. I believe my communication and organization skills and my creativity will aid in furthering the excellent program we already have.
Walter Coronel
I was born in Holland and came to the United States in 1947. I attended Hollywood
High School and several years of college at LA City College and UCLA. I worked for
PacTel and AT&T until 1990.
I have two children, my son Ken is a lawyer, and my daughter Debi is an events planner. I have eight grandchildren.
I have been attending Emeritus since 2006. In 2011 I became the Chair for the Emeritus Fundraising Committee. I enjoy the challenge of fundraising and look forward to continuing in this position. In 2012, I became a member of the Council. As a member of the Council, I hope to maintain the standards of our school.
Jeanne Crawford
I am a native New Yorker and have lived in Santa Monica for 37 years. I graduated
from UCLA. I am a retired Registered Nurse, Nurse Educator, and licensed psychotherapist.
Since retiring I focus much of my volunteer work in facilitating drum circles for
health and wellness, particularly with older adults.
I am active in many aspects of life in this community and love taking many classes at Emeritus. I am a passionate lifelong learner and look forward to bringing my enthusiasm to enhance the wonderful work of Emeritus.
Marsha Franker
I am a native Southern Californian and have been taking Emeritus classes since 2009.
While raising three children, I received my B.A. from UCLA and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine
University. I found it impossible to leave the educational milieu and I pursued a
rewarding career in student services at two small, private colleges.
Believing in lifelong learning, Emeritus affords me the opportunity to study subjects that have always interested me, but for which I didn't have time to pursue before my retirement years. I have met many interesting students and have made new friends. I want to make a contribution toward sustaining and advancing this beloved institution.
Dinah Hatton
I was born and grew up in Texas, have a BA from Texas A&M in Commerce and an MA from
the University of West Florida in Pensacola. I taught school in Guam, Iceland, Italy,
and Florida. I worked for Reuters in NYC and the UK and moved to Santa Monica from
London in 2004. My daughter, an RN lives with her husband and two elementary-age girls
in Thousand Oaks.
I took my first Emeritus class in 2008, have been attending ever since, and feel privileged to do so.
Lee Kondo
I am a Ph.D. educator/attorney who has taught health science courses at Berkeley;
Stanford; Cal. State University, San Francisco and San Diego; and San Francisco City
College. I plan to teach a social security disability law clinical course at Loyola
Law School, my alma mater. I have enjoyed taking Emeritus classes these past six years.
I previously served at USA Table Tennis for over 5 years on various advisory committees and with the Board, including as ethics committee chair. I also served as a Beverly Wilshire Homes Association Board member. I spearheaded a White Paper project at a major law firm that led to the enactment of state legislation supporting the biotechnology industry. At Emeritus, I hope to serve as an advocate for both students and faculty as Emeritus grows and expands its curricula and educational programs into new areas.
Linda Rosenthal
I am a recent transplant from Pennsylvania but originally hail from New York, where
I received my Psychology degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
I grew up in a household that greatly valued both education and advocacy, which led
me to pursue my first career in criminal justice and my second career in education.
As an education association president, I served on both state and national committees
to enhance support for public education. In between, I raised my three wonderful children.
Taking classes at Emeritus has helped me transition to a new life, by providing a
supportive environment to continue my education and a caring community in which to
grow. I am excited about the opportunity to meet many more students and dedicate my
energies to your program committees.
Photos courtesy of Judy Blits, Gerald Schneir, and Alex Vital.