Chief Academic Officer
James B. Golden is a Los Angeles based Learning & Development Specialist with over 10 years of organizational development experience in training methodology, design, executive coaching, systems improvement, motivation, cultural competence, and inclusion. Dr. Golden is a natural leader with compassion and emotionally intelligent praxis. He has several years of business consulting experience along with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of major programs and events for non-profits, corporations, and government departments. Golden regularly presents research and data at national conferences including: The National Council of Black Studies, the American Psychological Association, the National Hip Hop Political Convention; and he has been invited to speak at colleges including: Howard University, Pepperdine University, University of California at Los Angeles, Sierra Nevada College, and Cal State University, Northridge.
Golden earned a Doctor of Psychology degree from Phillips Graduate University, a Master’s of Humanities from Tiffin University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Cal State Northridge. He has worked as a curriculum advocate, K-12 teacher, and developer of educational programs. He has published several articles for leading magazines/publications such as The Root, LinkedIn, Vibe, and Clutch; as well as four books including an NAACP Image Award winner.
Vice President and COO
Vice President and COO
Dr. Salazar holds a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Since 1988, he has worked in the substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and mental health fields as a counselor, health educator, community organizer, researcher, and administrator. He has been the primary translator (English to Spanish) of various research studies and has co-translated The Wellness Guide published by the UC Berkeley Center for Community Wellness. He is also the co-author of Essential Spanish for Social Services, a Living Language/Random House publication. During his career Dr. Salazar has served as the Project Director/Principle Investigator (PD/PI) on various programs funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CA Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS), and LA County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) with an emphasis on delivering the full continuum of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services ranging from prevention to medical detoxification/maintenance. He is currently the Director of SUD/MH program that serves youth in LA County and also oversees two Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTP’s) and Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) programs designed for both adults and youth. Dr. Salazar regularly conducts trainings and classes on SUD counseling and new and emerging behavioral health trends, evidence based practices (EBP’s), current research in the SUD/MH field, and provision of SUD and MH treatment services to special populations such as youth, women and older adults. Since 2014, Dr. Salazar has held a Lecturer position with the California State University of Northridge (CSUN) and has taught various healthcare leadership and public health courses, including those on SUD, to both undergraduate and graduate master’s level students. Dr. Salazar has served on various non-profit boards, private education boards, and currently serves on CSUN’s MPH Program Community Advisory Board which provides guidance and support on matters related to curriculum development.
Program Operation Supervisor
Valeria Romo is a public health professional with over 15 years of experience in public service, with a focus on behavioral healthcare, education, and administrative leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Organizational Management and Leadership. Valeria blends academic expertise with a strong commitment to equity and community-centered care, consistently working to uplift underserved populations through culturally responsive programs and systems-level change
Valeria began her career at Los Angeles Mission College, where she supported foster and probation youth through life skills development, college preparation, and access to higher education. Her work focused on helping students navigate complex systems and connect with essential resources to support their academic and personal growth. She later joined Tarzana Treatment Centers, working directly with adolescents and families in outpatient Substance Use Disorder programs- further deepening her commitment to culturally responsive care, evidence-based and equity-driven systems that serve underserved communities.
In her current role as Program Operations Supervisor at Tarzana Treatment Centers College, Valeria leads strategic planning, accreditation, and program development. She is passionate about expanding access to affordable healthcare and behavioral health education, and about preparing the next generation of behavioral healthcare professionals through certification, training, workforce education, and pathways to higher education. Her leadership is grounded in a vision of equity, empowerment, and lasting impact through systemic change.
Admissions and Records Supervisor
Fasiat Agaba is the Admissions and Records Supervisor at Tarzana Treatment Centers College. (TTCC). Fasiat’s journey at TTC started in the year of 2019, after graduating from California State University, Northridge with her bachelor’s degree in public health. It was then when Fasiat joined her first program (MAT Youth Expansion) as a Health Educator, training youth and young adults on opioid awareness and MAT medications in LA County. It was also at this time that Fasiat grew a passion for program development and training the community on harm reduction and substance use prevention. What was most fascinating to her was the impact of something as seemingly simple as a training presentation and what that can do for communities who don’t have access to the information or resources that can save their very own friends and family who are most impacted by the opioid epidemic.
Fasiat continued her professional development at TTC in the Health Educator II position, training high school aged youth using curriculum-based drug prevention courses as part of TTC’s youth services, Adolescent Prevention Services Program or APS. Now, as Admissions and Records Supervisor she is making sure students are successfully enrolled in our programs.
Workforce Development Supervisor
Jessica Galura, MPH joined the Office of Workforce Development to provide leadership to the intern, practicum, and mentoring components of Tarzana Treatment Centers College (TTCC). As the Workforce Development Supervisor, Jessica is responsible for centralizing agency interns and creating systems to support community members, community partner organizations, and schools interested in a wide variety of healthcare careers.
Jessica first joined TTC has a health educator to address barriers affecting SUD treatment in Latinx communities. She previously provided administrative support and leadership for reentry programs at TTC. Jessica earned two degrees from California State University, Northridge. She received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education.
Academic Supervisor- SUD Program
Dr. Alisia Thompson is an educator with over a decade of experience teaching in K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. Her areas of expertise include curriculum development, teacher training, program development, and assessment. Dr. Thompson earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California and began her career as a high school biology teacher. As a classroom teacher, she developed a passion for curriculum development which led her to pursue a Master of Arts in Education (MA.Ed) in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Thompson spent 5 years building teacher preparation pathways in Orange County before coming to Tarzana Treatment Centers College in 2021. During her time with the college, she has served as an adjunct faculty with the Substance Use Disorder program and the Chair of Project Open Doors before being promoted to as our Academic Supervisor of SUD Programs. In 2023, Dr. Thompson earned her Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. Within her role, she is committed to providing meaningful learning experiences and holistic support for all students.
Academic RecordKeeper
Mahbubur Rahman is one the few senior supervisors at Tarzana Treatment Centers. He joined the organization as a graduate intern. Since then, Mahbubur has been actively engaged in event management, online learning systems, curriculum development, contract compliance, data management, audit reporting and evaluation. He has been a mentor for the students of Public Health and Health Administration programs from various public and private universities. Mahbubur earned his MBBS & MS in Nutrition from the University of Dhaka and MPH from CSU Northridge.
Mahbubur is a registered medical practitioner with the Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council and regularly attends overseas health camps serving people with minimal or no access to care. He is a life member of the Dietetic Association of Bangladesh and a former Rotarian. In 2022, the Royal Society for Public Health, UK awarded him with their fellowship.
TTCC Instructor - SUD Programs
Monica Castro-Prince is a behavioral healthcare professional and educator with a passion for supporting individuals on their journey toward recovery and preparing the next generation of substance use disorder professionals. Throughout her career, she has worked with both youth and adults in recovery, providing her with a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face and the importance of compassionate, person-centered care.
She earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) from Tulane University with an emphasis in Community Health Sciences. Her public health background has shaped her understanding of the social, environmental, and systemic factors that influence health and well-being. In addition to her direct work with individuals in recovery, she has been actively involved in harm reduction initiatives and has led opioid awareness programs focused on education, prevention, and reducing stigma surrounding substance use.
As an instructor in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program, Monica is committed to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment where students can develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make a meaningful impact in the behavioral healthcare field. She brings a unique perspective that combines public health, direct service experience, and evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment and recovery.
Monica is dedicated to empowering future behavioral healthcare professionals with the compassion, cultural humility, and advocacy skills needed to support individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use and mental health challenges.
TTCC Instructor- SUD Program
My name is Sergio Frausto Jr., and I am an instructor for TTC College’s SUD Counselor Certification Program. I have long been interested in public health and education, with experience in SUD, HIV/STDs, harm reduction, and more. I am deeply passionate about our clients and have served many historically marginalized communities including persons living with HIV, active substance users, the unhoused, LGBTQ+ communities, BIPOC, and more. My mission is to empower and advocate for our students to be able to be the best version of themselves they can be.
TTCC Instructor- SUD Programs and Field Experience
Saul Gonzalez has worked in social services almost exclusively for the best part of 20 years. He is experienced as a public healthcare administrator, community advocate, and educator. He brings to the college social awareness with high cultural competency from serving a diverse population of children, adolescents, adults, and their families.
His unique experiences and roles in HIV healthcare, youth gang prevention /intervention, pediatric hematology /oncology, and substance use have allowed a greater understanding and appreciation of critical public health needs and their impact on our communities. As a community of stewards of public health, we must collaborate to deliver equitable access to resources and opportunities promoting healthy behaviors, environments, and outcomes for all.
He received a BA in Political Science from Cal State University, Northridge. That is when he immediately discovered a passion for mentoring, supporting, and serving our communities vulnerable, immigrant, and underserved populations. Through community-based outreach, advocacy, and research, he has engaged in health promotion, communication, and agency collaborations. His dedication to social policy and social mindfulness led him to receive his Master of Public Health (MPH), and he currently continues the journey towards a Dr.PH.
Saul is a 13-year US Air Force veteran who served as a Medic and Military Training Instructor.
During his free time, he enjoys hiking, climbing, and mountain biking along our local trails in the San Gabriel mountains.
TTCC Instructor - SUD Programs
Dr. Anna Wolf is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) with extensive experience in behavioral health, clinical supervision, and higher education. She works as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and adjunct faculty member, providing evidence-based psychotherapy and instruction grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and integrates modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients address anxiety, OCD, emotion regulation concerns, and executive functioning challenges. Dr. Wolf holds a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Adjunct Instructor
Drew Jacobs is an author, speaker, and consultant known for his impactful work in the fields of recovery and healing from traumatic wounds. His career spans impressive roles in the corporate sector, including executive and C-suite positions in large not-for-profits and multibillion-dollar private corporations. After confronting his addictions, Andrew embarked on a journey of recovery and healing, which significantly shaped his personal and professional life.
Drew is a sought-after keynote and workshop speaker, focusing on recovery and healing from traumatic wounds. His personal experiences have given him profound insights into how wounds affect decision-making and the importance of preventing moral compromise. He has turned his adversity into an advantage, using his experiences to help others overcome their challenges.
As an author, Drew has penned notable books such as “Transformational Consulting” and “Transformational Thinking.” His upcoming book, “The Foggy Path,” will be released by Simon & Schuster in 2025.
Adjunct Instructor
Monica Ellison is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with an array of clinical expertise in the mental health care field with a specialty in child and family therapy. In her practice she ensures a safe space to assist her clients (children, teens, adults and families) in addressing trauma, depression, anxiety, shame, grief, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties/challenges.
Monica earned her B.A. in Child and Family Development as well as a Master’s in Education emphasis in Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice from San Diego State University (SDSU) and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College. Monica has also worked in the field of advocacy and child services assisting families with navigating systems and resources. Monica values and is honored by the opportunity to work with and learn from her clients to empower them to a greater wellbeing. Outside of working with clients and students, Monica loves nature, hiking, learning the drums, reading, going to the movies and exploring the world through traveling.
Adjunct Instructor
Kendall is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who focuses on supporting children, family, parents, and maternal mental health at all stages of a family’s journey. She finds that it is important that we understand that every family and individual is different and every journey is different. There in not one path and It is an honor to help clients understand the path they are on and how they can embrace, or change, and grow their journey.
Kendall is also a healer by nature and a therapist by trade. Having received her bachelor’s in Psychology from San Diego State University and Masters in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University she has found herself to have expanded on the ability to meet people where they are. In addition to healing mental health she has also found herself on the path of healing through social justice. She is an advocate, an interrupter, an organizer, and person supporting people. She supports people who are learning to heal from social injustice and address Anti-Blackness as it impacts all aspects of the world we live in.