Dr. Roxanne Venus Moschetti

Dr. Roxanne Venus Moschetti was born in the late 1970's.  She was the oldest of three and served as a parent to her younger sister and brother from the time they were born. Due to extensive poverty, and neglect during her childhood, education was not a priority for Roxanne. Homelessness, frequent relocation, and family instability led to 

Dr. Roxanne Venus Moschetti was born in the late 1970's.  She was the oldest of three and served as a parent to her younger sister and brother from the time they were born. Due to extensive poverty, and neglect during her childhood, education was not a priority for Roxanne. Homelessness, frequent relocation, and family instability led to failing grades in school. At the age of 13, Roxanne had attended seven different schools, carried a .87 GPA and had lost hope for the future. In an out of shelters and foster care, Roxanne and her siblings were finally removed from their mothers care when she was 13. Roxanne knew at that point that she never again wanted to experience the stress and pandemonium that her family had endured over the past 13 years. 

Through her experiences, Roxanne learned to embrace the chaos around her with love and grace while developing a passion to improve programs that assist families who struggle with poverty, mental illness, and addiction.  At the age of 17, Roxanne set out to be the first in her family to attend college and enrolled in classes at a Community

Through her experiences, Roxanne learned to embrace the chaos around her with love and grace while developing a passion to improve programs that assist families who struggle with poverty, mental illness, and addiction.  At the age of 17, Roxanne set out to be the first in her family to attend college and enrolled in classes at a Community College. She later transferred into California State University, Chico where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While in college she took over legal guardianship of her younger and sister and brother who remained living with her until she later applied to graduate school. Against all odds, Roxanne eventually received her Ph.D. and Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development from University of California, Santa Barbara. She is now an Associate Professor at California State University, Northridge. Her current research focuses on the impact of social networks on underrepresented college students experiences. Roxanne spends her free time volunteering with homeless families and youth in the community.