8th Annual West Coast SI Conference

2023 Special Guests

Keynote Speakers

Erik Wasinger, Ph.D.

Faculty Guest


Erik Wasinger graduated from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) with a B.S. degree in Chemistry and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Bioinorganic Chemistry before taking on a post-doctoral assignment at Argonne National Laboratory.  Dr. Wasinger’s research implemented novel X-ray absorption spectroscopic methodology to elucidate the geometric and electronic structure of small molecule complexes.  Having obtained a tenure-track position at CSU, Chico, a primarily undergraduate institution where he has been for the past 16 years, Dr. Wasinger has developed a passion for mentoring students in the lab and in the classroom.  Currently his projects include redesigning the General Chemistry curriculum; addressing fear and imposter syndrome in chemistry courses; and implementing and promoting Supplemental Instruction (SI) at all levels as an SI Associate and Faculty Champion. 

JohnPaul Solomon

Student Keynote Award Winner


JohnPaul Solomon is a senior at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) dual majoring in Global Studies and Environmental Studies. He has served with CSUSB Supplemental Instruction since January 2020, facilitating support for political science and math courses. Over the past year, JohnPaul has worked as a Senior Leader, mentoring SI Leaders to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to effectively support their peers. 

James Leduc

Student Keynote Award Winner


James Leduc began his work with Supplemental Instruction in 2014 as an SI Leader at Riverside City College (RCC) and was promoted to SI Mentor in 2015. He later transferred to California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) in 2018 where he served in the role of SI Senior Leader (Mentor). Upon his recent graduation with a B.S. in Mathematics, he was promoted to SI Specialist, working closely alongside the SI Coordinator and playing a crucial role in earning program accreditation with the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI). In late August, James joined the CSUSB staff full-time as the Student Assistance In Learning (SAIL) Program Academic Intervention Specialist.