Center Faculty
Mrs. Tasha Beaudoin
AP Seminar
Mrs. Tasha Beaudoin has taught at TOHS since 2001. She currently teaches English 11CP and AP Seminar. She holds a BA from the University of Redlands and an MA from CSU Northridge, both in English. Mrs. Beaudoin was the adviser for the award-winning Lancer newspaper for a decade. As the founding faculty member and director 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. Robert Haar
AP Seminar
Mr. Robert Haar has taught at TOHS since 1996. 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.
Dr. Nikki Malhotra
AP Research-STEM
Dr. Malhotra is a native of India and has taught at TOHS for over 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, and Chlamydomonas. As an adjunct professor, she has also taught Anatomy and Human Physiology at Moorpark College. Throughout her teaching career, she also serves as an advisor for the Science Club at TOHS.
Dr. Krister Swanson
AP Research-Humanities
Dr. Krister Swanson is a native of Thousand Oaks and has taught at TOHS for over 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 U.S. 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.
Mr. Felix McGinnis
AP English Literature
Mr. McGinnis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Thomas Aquinas College and a Master’s Degree from the Claremont Graduate University. Mr. McGinnis teachers AP English Literature and Philosopy at TOHS. In his Center-specific AP English Literature course, all Center seniors compete in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. During the first two months of senior year in his class, and in collaboration with Mrs. Beaudoin, Center students complete all college applications, including essays.
Center Staff
Mr. Daniel Solis
Center Counselor
Mr. Solis is the counselor 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 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. Mr. Solis is responsible for writing a college application letter of recommendation for every Center senior. His wife, Lolis, is also an integral part of The Center program as she hosts a LinkedIn training workshop for students at the end of their junior year.
In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, working out, watching sports, hanging out with family, and looking for new places to eat.