Our Faculty & Staff
The Center Faculty hold a combined 104 years of teaching excellence and a combined average of 25 years in teaching at Thousand Oaks High School.
Center Faculty
Dr. Nikki Malhotra
AP Research-STEM
Dr. Malhotra is a native of India and has taught at TOHS for 20 years. She currently teaches AP Research, Physiology H and Biology H. Dr. Malhotra holds a BSc., MSc. and MPhil. from Punjab University, India and a PhD in Cell Biology/Physiology from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Dr. Malhotra completed her postdoctoral training in Cell and Molecular Biology at UCSB and has published her research in top scientific journals. Her publications include research on membrane potentials, phytochemistry, agriculture, hydroponics, viruses, Chlamydomonas. As an adjunct professor, she teaches Anatomy and Human Physiology at Moorpark College. Throughout her teaching career, she has also served as an advisor for the Science Club at TOHS.
Mr. Robert Haar
AP Seminar
Mr. Robert Haar has taught at TOHS for 26 years. He currently teaches AP U.S. History and AP Seminar. He holds a BA from California Lutheran University in English and History and an MA from Pepperdine University in American Studies. Mr. Haar serves as the Chair of the Social Science Department and is the Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Volleyball team. In addition, Mr. Haar has been the voice of the Lancers at JV and Varsity Football and Boys Varsity Basketball games for close to two decades.
Mrs. Tasha Beaudoin
AP Seminar
Mrs. Tasha Beaudoin is a native of Lake Elsinore and has taught at TOHS for 19 years. She currently teaches English 11CP, Journalism, and AP Seminar. She holds a BA from Redlands University and an MA from CSU Northridge in English. Mrs. Beaudoin advises the award-winning Lancer newspaper and helped transition it into a digital format. As the founding faculty member and coordinator of The Center for Advanced Studies and Research, she has led the Center team on a mission to helping students reach their goals and making The Center the preeminent academic program in Ventura County.
Mr. Felix McGinnis
AP English Literature
Mr. McGinnis teaches seniors in AP English Literature. Part of this course includes the Senior Culminating Experience. Mr. McGinnis also teaches Philosophy.
Dr. Krister Swanson
AP Research-Humanities
Dr. Krister Swanson is a native of Thousand Oaks and has taught at TOHS for 20 years. He currently teaches AP U.S. Government & Politics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Research. He holds a BA from California Lutheran University in History and Economics, an MA from California Lutheran University in Educational Administration and an MA and PhD from UC Santa Barbara in US History. Dr. Swanson serves as the WASC Focus on Learning coordinator at TOHS and is a content developer at ABC-CLIO Publishing. He is an avid baseball fan and is the author of Baseball’s Power Shift: How the Players Union, the Fans, and the Media Changed American Sports Culture.
Center Staff
Mr. Daniel Solis
Center Counselor
Mr. Solis is the counselor for students Se - Z and for all Center students. He grew up in Solvang, CA (the Danish capital of the US) for most of his childhood. He has his BA from UC Santa Cruz Alumni and his Master's in Educational Counseling through the University of La Verne. He enjoys working in education and helping students reach their highest potential. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, working out, watching sports, hanging out with family, and looking for new places to eat.
Mrs. Lisa Chow
CoRE Lab Manager/Center College Advisor
Mrs. Chow has been on staff at Thousand Oaks High School since 2019. She is The CoRE Lab Manager and The Center College Advisor. Her role is to assist The Center team with programing, events, and work with each Center class on college preparation needs. The Chows are long time residents of the Conejo Valley and all 4 of their sons graduated from TOHS. Two of those sons are also Center Alumni. Mrs. Chow is a diehard Bruin having earned her BA in Psychology from UCLA. She also has a MSW from USC, and her Professional Certificate in College Admissions Advising from UC Berkeley Extension. Her passion is working with students to find their fit and joy for their future adventures.
Visit the College Planning page to learn more.