AVONDALE, Arizona – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges, welcomes five new faculty members starting this fall semester, bringing extensive and varied backgrounds in the areas of psychology, nursing, education, counseling, English and reading. These new faculty will support the college’s continued enrollment growth as well as continuing to expand the opportunities for student-centered learning and success in educational advancement and career development.
“Fall semester is always an exciting time on our campus,” says Dr. Bryan Tippett, EMCC vice president of academic affairs. “Not only do we have new students, but we also have new faculty joining our family to help energize the students’ learning experience! EMCC has such motivated faculty and staff, and it is evidenced by the commitment to undergraduate research, mentoring, and expanding resources for student success. We are always looking for new and innovative ways to offer the best learning environment.”
Estrella Mountain’s new faculty hires for the 2012-2013 academic year are as follows:
Charlene Chester, Ph.D., Psychology, holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland; a Master of Arts in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and has currently complete her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Chester’s research focuses on the implications for parenting on child behavior and emotional outcomes, and parent and child psychosocial adjustment. She has received numerous awards based on her scholarly activities, including published works and presentations, plus has had extensive classroom experience at the university level.
Charlotte Ezell, RN, Nursing, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University; a Master’s in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from Trinity School of Graduate Studies in Orange, California; a Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University; and is currently completing her Certification in Pediatric Nursing. She is a Registered Nurse in Arizona and California, as well as being BLS and PALS Certified. Ezell has been a nursing instructor at several Maricopa Community Colleges and Grand Canyon University. Her practical background is focused on holistic care of adult and pediatric patients.
Rachel Holmes, M.Ed., Education, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Arizona State University; a Master of Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University; and a Principal Certificate from the University of Phoenix. Holmes has been an adjunct faculty at Phoenix College and Grand Canyon University, plus was a K-12 teacher at Dysart High School in El Mirage, Arizona, and at Barcelona Middle School in Glendale, Arizona, in the areas of Language Arts and ELD Specialist.
Gary Kilduff, Counselor, holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences and a Master of Education Counseling, both from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, and is currently completing his Doctorate of Education from Northcentral University in Prescott, Arizona. He has been a counseling faculty at the community college and university level, plus has practical experience in counseling, career and disability services in K-12 schools, hospitals and social services.
Steven Peist, Reading, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from State University of New York, Albany; a Master of Arts degree in English and Creative Writing from Queens College, New York; doctoral studies in Instructional Leadership from St. Johns University, with extensive doctoral work in English Education and Curriculum Development in Higher Education from New York University; and graduate work in Reading Methodology from University of Phoenix. In addition to college instruction, Peist has grades 6-12 teaching experience in diverse and at-risk educational environments, while finding time for professional service and writing poetry.