Veritas Faculty

Dr. Lisa Dunne is an industry disruptor in the field of education. In addition to founding Chula Vista Christian University, she has launched 32 national K to 12 homeschool academies that are dedicated to rescuing the next generation from the toxic traits of traditional education. She is a dynamic, award-winning educator, author, and speaker with 25 years of classroom experience. She holds a Ph.D. in human development from Fielding Graduate University, a Master's degree in communication studies from Regent University, a Master’s degree in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University, and undergraduate degrees and minors in humanities, secondary education, and musical theater from Thomas Edison State College and Miami-Dade College. Dr. Dunne is passionate about the transformative power of Christian education, the primacy of the local church, and the stable family as the cornerstone of healthy culture. She is an expert in Gen Z educational methodology and psychosocial development, and she enjoys facilitating local church and community workshops to help parents, teachers, and faith-based institutions better equip the next generation for academic success, relational resilience, and career readiness. As an advocate of education reform and family discipleship, Dr. Dunne is a frequent speaker at conferences and leadership events, and, as a lifelong home educator, she has been a featured speaker at California homeschool conferences.The homeschool model was the seedbed for the success of CVCU's educational modality, which is built on the proven effectiveness of the dialogue-based homeschool model of instruction. As part of her platform at CVCU, she meets with local pastors to help them start church-based Christian education centers to rescue their congregations from the secular indoctrination of the state's public school system. Her academy launches include include Awaken Academy, Skyline Christian Academy, Creative Academy, Summit Academy, Freedom Generation Academy, Journey Christian Academy, Liberty Christian Academy, Harvest Family Academy, and many more. Learn more about her program at the AcademicRescueMission.com. Dr. Dunne is the author of several books, including The Multigenerational Marketplace, a guide to developing Christian communication competencies in the workplace, The Science of Social Influence, a primer on media’s insidious influence on identity, and Relating through the Lifespan, a Christian perspective on lifespan development and intergenerational mentoring. Her podcast is The Communication Architect (available on iTunes and Spotify), and her weekly radio show MindsetMatters can be heard every Saturday at 10:30pm on KPraise Radio. Her latest book, Outsourced: Why America's Kids Need an Education Revolution, is available at OutsourcedTheBook.com and on Amazon. Dr. Dunne is especially passionate about the developmental process of the college years because of the season's impact on her own life: During her freshman year of college in Miami, Florida, she became a Christian, and during her sophomore year of college, she met her husband on a performance exchange trip in Wakefield, England. She has now been married to her British husband, Adrian, for 33 years. They have two intelligent and compassionate homeschool graduates, Ethan and Cymone, who are their true résumé. Dr. Dunne finds great joy in coaching and teaching all generations, helping them discover God’s purpose and plan for their lives.

Cleta Riojas, born and raised in Oceanside, California, is a visionary educator, pastor’s wife and devoted mother to her two daughters and entrepreneur whose work focuses on faith-based education and community impact. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from California State University San Marcos and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from National University, laying the groundwork for her diverse career in media, business, and education. Cleta’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her co-founding of At The Cross Oceanside Church in 2014, a non-denominational church emphasizing biblical principles, and starting Bistro at the Pier, a beloved local coffee shop next to the Oceanside Pier known for its quality coffee and ocean views. She also founded Freedom Generation Higher Education, focusing on biblical truths and entrepreneurial skills. Currently, she is building a new Social Media marketing company, aiming to recruit and retain people who have the potential to become more successful in the industry, showcasing her continued innovation. Cleta is ecstatic to unite with the trailblazing visionaries at Veritas Christian Community College as they launch this boldly reimagined beacon of faith-driven education. Fueled by a transformative Socratic approach, she eagerly awaits empowering students alongside revered faculty, sparking a radiant passion for truth and cultivating courageous, purpose-driven leaders to shape a brighter future.

Ronald Starzinski’s academic credentials include Information Science MBA from St. Thomas University, and a MSQA degree from California State University. As a Six Sigma Black Belt Ronald has demonstrated dedication to furthering quality business processes and related corporate education. His collegiate teaching experience has included undergraduate through advanced statistics and mathematics education, as well as information systems curricula. (Having delivered a well-received lecture at the 2014 Measurement Science Conference in Long Beach, Ronald established himself as an authority on the use of quality tools for measuring organizational processes.) Currently, Ronald is enthusiastic to combine the teaching of essential technology topics with a fundamental Christian perspective.

Professor Ralph Ewell is a distinguished music educator, conductor, and performer with decades of experience teaching and leading musical ensembles across the United States and abroad. A valedictorian and recipient of the National President’s Owned Marine Corps Award for Band, Professor Ewell holds an Applied Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Indiana University, as well as a Master of Music Education from the Hartt Conservatory in Hartford, Connecticut, with emphasis in wind conducting and saxophone performance. Over the course of his career, Professor Ewell has taught in Indiana, Connecticut, Switzerland, and California, directing marching bands, concert bands, jazz ensembles, and chamber groups, as well as teaching AP Music Theory, International Baccalaureate Music, Chemistry, and Physical Education. His teaching excellence has been recognized with numerous honors, including Teacher of the Year at Victor Valley High School (1997), the Victor Valley Union High School Board of Trustees Award for Outstanding Teacher (1999), the Stanford University Teacher Appreciation Award (2002), the National American Bandmasters Association Award for Excellence (2004), and the PTA Award for Outstanding Teacher at Vista High School (2014). Professor Ewell’s ensembles have earned sweepstakes awards, gold and silver medals in both Indiana and Southern California, and have performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (New York City) and the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.). Many of his students have gone on to pursue successful professional careers in music. His musical training includes saxophone studies with Eugene Rousseau, Larry Teal, and Ken Radnofsky, and conducting with Stanley DeRusha and Ray Cramer. Since retiring from public school teaching in 2018, Professor Ewell continues to shape the field of music education as an adjudicator and clinician with the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, Bands of America, and the Western Band Association.

Isabella Newman is deeply passionate about the integration of psychology, faith, and holistic well-being. Holding a Master’s degree in Psychology, she has devoted her studies to exploring the mind-body connection and its God-given ability to bring healing from stress, trauma, and emotional struggles. She views psychology not only as a science, but also as a pathway for discovering how the Lord has designed the brain with a remarkable capacity for renewal and resilience. With a heart for the Socratic method, Isabella believes the most meaningful learning takes place when students are guided to think critically, ask deep questions, and seek truth for themselves. Her goal is to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to grow in wisdom, emotional wellness, and spiritual maturity—always pointing them back to God as the ultimate source of healing and hope. She is thrilled and blessed to join the Veritas Christian Community team as a professor, and she looks forward with great joy to this new year of learning, mentorship, and fellowship. Isabella counts it a privilege to walk alongside students in their educational journey and to help them cultivate a deeper connection with the Lord.

Mr. Dave Barrett brings a legacy of over 48 years in secondary education, faithfully serving the Oceanside community as a credentialed Language Arts teacher, athletic coach, and faith-driven mentor. After retiring from a distinguished career with the Oceanside Unified School District, Mr. Barrett now teaches English at Freedom Generation Higher Education, where he continues to inspire students through rigorous academics, Christ-centered values, and moral integrity. Now joining the faculty team of Veritas Christian Community College through its strategic partnership with Freedom Generation, Mr. Barrett plays a key role in the college prep and dual enrollment programs, equipping high school students for academic excellence and spiritual leadership. His deep belief in character-driven education perfectly aligns with the Veritas mission to “equip students to become disciples of Jesus Christ who glorify God through lives of leadership and service.” Mr. Barrett is a Summa Cum Laude graduate with dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Philosophy from California Lutheran University. He also holds a Ryan Life Secondary Teaching Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University, an Associate’s Degree in Social Science from MiraCosta College, and a Master of Science in Nutrition, Behavior, and Learning from National University. His academic journey reflects a lifelong passion for both intellectual development and whole-person formation. In the classroom, Mr. Barrett is known for creating environments that challenge students intellectually while cultivating a culture of encouragement, purpose, and faith. He emphasizes critical thinking, articulate communication, and ethical leadership—skills that prepare students not only for college success, but for a life of impact. Outside the academic realm, Mr. Barrett has left an indelible mark in youth athletics, serving for decades as a coach and mentor in both football and baseball. His teams have achieved championship-level success, and his leadership has influenced hundreds of student-athletes. His accomplishments have been recognized with induction into three prestigious institutions: California Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame (2004) Oceanside High School Hall of Fame (2025) San Diego County Baseball Hall of Fame (2025) A firm believer that “Excellence honors God, and our work is worship when done with integrity,” Mr. Barrett lives out this conviction both inside and outside the classroom. He currently serves as the Lead Worship Pastor at his local church, treasures time with his family, and can often be found cheering on the Oceanside Pirates—continuing to pour into the very community he has helped shape for generations.