Estrella Mountain Community College has hired ten new faculty members to enhance the learning opportunities for its students during the 2007-2008 academic year. The faculty members are part of several EMCC divisions including liberal arts, science and mathematics, and counseling. EMCC hires faculty members who are experts in their field and will provide the College's approximate 13,000 students with an enriched educational experience.
Estrella Mountain's Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Bryan K. Tippett, understands the needs of an increasingly diverse student body and community, and strives to attract faculty to meet that need. "Good learning is the most critical process in which the College is engaged. The College has once again been very successful in hiring new faculty who are very focused on good learning and exemplary teaching in ways that demonstrate how much we care about the success of our students. We are very fortunate to have each and every one of them on board," he said.
Estrella Mountain Community College-s new faculty hires for 2007 are as follows:
-Michelle Breaux, Mathematics, holds a Master of Science from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University. Breaux has held adjunct instructor positions in mathematics at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California; and at San Diego State/Sand Diego City College. In addition to her teaching experience, Breaux has an extensive background in volunteerism and a long list of awards, including the Joseph D. Peeler Memorial Fellowship from CGU, which supports students majoring in the fields of mathematics and science.
-Weiru Chang, Biology, holds a PhD in Molecular, Cellular Developmental Biology and Genetics from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor's degree in Cell and Structural Biology from the University of Illinois. Chang's extensive teaching experience at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis Community and Technical College brings additional expertise in general biology, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, human genetics, and nutrition to the College.
-Lindra Fishleder, Counseling, holds a Master of Counseling from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Fishleder has had the opportunity to run a variety of therapeutic groups throughout her career including Interpersonal Relationships, Coping with Loss and a Graduate Student Growth Group. Fishleder also had her practicum training at ASU while counseling students working through a wide variety of concerns, such as, personal issues, career and future planning, academic goals, and crisis situations.
-Franklin Garrett, Counseling, holds a Master of Education with an emphasis on Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Diego State University. Garrett joins Estrella Mountain in a one-year-only (OYO) position. In addition to Garrett's educational background, he has held several intern, mentor and tutor positions as well as an instructor position with another Maricopa Community College.
-Erik Huntsinger, Economics, holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics from Arizona State University. In addition to professional experience in the private sector as a financial analyst, Erik has also gained extensive experience within the Maricopas as a research assistant and program advisor, as well as teaching as adjunct faculty at both Rio Salado and Chandler-Gilbert. Huntsinger has served Estrella Mountain as an OYO economics faculty member for the past year and now joins the department as a permanent faculty member.
-Pablo Landeros, History, is a PhD candidate in History at the University of California. He holds a Master's degree in History and a Bachelor's degree in History and Chicana/o Studies from the University of California. Landeros has taught at the University of California for more than six years and has published a workbook titled, "Bridging Cultures: An Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies (Study Guide)," in 2004.
-Fiona Lihs, Chemistry, holds a PhD and Master's degree in Chemistry from Arizona State University, and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. In addition to professional experience in the private sector, Lihs worked as a graduate research assistant at ASU where in addition to her scientific work in the area of bioinorganic chemistry, she also developed computer based learning programs to assist students in understanding the microscopic nature of chemistry. She has also served Estrella Mountain this past semester as OYO chemistry faculty.
-Sarah Lockhart, Mathematics, holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Northern Arizona University. Lockhart has experience integrating the use of technology into the learning environment as evidenced in her last four years as adjunct instructor for Estrella Mountain. Lockhart also serves as the Adjunct Faculty Association representative for Estrella Mountain and serves as chair on the Adjunct Faculty Scholarship Committee.
-Jeffrey Miller, Biology, holds a PhD in Zoology from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin. Miller's experience includes five years as a teaching assistant for a cell biology course at Duke University, where he earned the Dean's award for excellence in teaching. He has taught cell biology for six years at the University of Minnesota and served as course director for four years.
-Jennifer Wong, Librarian, holds a Master of Arts in Library Science and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Arizona. Wong has served Estrella Mountain as an adjunct librarian since August 2004 where she has taught library instructional sessions in English, communications, and accounting.
To arrange interviews or photo opportunities with the new residential faculty, please contact Carissa Pool at (623) 935-8054.