AVONDALE, Arizona – September 5, 2014 – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges, welcomes new faculty members that provide extensive and varied backgrounds in the areas of biology, business, computers, engineering, English, dance, economics, nursing, and Spanish.
These new faculty will support the college’s continued enrollment growth as well as expand the opportunities for student-centered learning and success, leading to advanced education and career pathways. The breadth and depth of new and existing faculty expertise are indicative of the more than 80 programs and areas of study available to EMCC students.
Estrella Mountain’s new faculty hires for the 2014-2015 academic year are as follows:
Romanie Brooks-Dillon, Clinical Nursing, earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Walden University in Maryland, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from University of Phoenix, and Associate degree in both Nursing and Business Management from Highland Park Community College in Michigan. Brooks-Dillon is on the staff of the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
Karen Duncan, Clinical Nursing, holds a Master of Science in Community Health Nursing from University of Vermont, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Paltz University in New York, and currently licensed in New Mexico, Colorado, New York, Vermont and the Province of Ontario. Duncan’s teaching expertise and background are in the areas of psychiatric/mental health, obstetrics, pediatrics and medical-surgical populations.
John Fletcher, Economics, holds a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University, a Master of Art in Economics from Western Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Art in Business Administration from Iowa Wesleyan College. Fletcher’s teaching background includes Rio Salado College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Florida State University.
Larry Heinz, Computer Information Systems, has extensive professional experience including working for the Arizona Department of Revenue, Arizona Department of Administration, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona Game and Fish, and Arizona Department of Health Services. Heinz specializes in teaching Cisco Networking.
Anil Kapoor, Biology, holds a Master of Science in Biology from California State University-Chico, a Master in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University-San Bernardino. He most recently was a faculty member at Phoenix College, and has taught at various colleges in California. Kapoor has written and been a successful recipient of STEM-related grants at several of his teaching institutions, which helped augment lab facilities and students’ access of equipment and research opportunities.
Debra Lemanger, Clinical Nursing, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University and has more than nine year of experience in nursing and eight years of clinical management. Lemanger has been a Registered Nurse (RN) for Banner Hospitals in Arizona, Kaiser Permanente Hospital in California, and has worked as a Flight RN and Medical Crew Supervisor.
Janaea McAlee, Dance, holds a Master of Arts in Dance/Choreography from Vermont College of Norwich University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts/Dance from Sonoma State University. McAlee earned an award in choreography from the Maryland State Arts Council and her works have been presented worldwide. She is a third-generation Isadora Duncan dancer and historian, and actively presents the Duncan work throughout Arizona.
Dr. Sylvia Ong, Ed.D., Business, earned a Doctorate in Higher Education and Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Science in Accounting from Western International University, a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Management from Arizona State University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. Dr. Ong has been with the Maricopa Community College District since 1983, most recently at Scottsdale Community College, teaching accounting, general business, marketing, and management. Her industry background includes aerospace manufacturing, banking, retail, property management, and was a freelance writer for McGraw Hill-Irwin, Houghton Mifflin, and Glencoe publishing companies.
Dr. Maria Cecilia Rosales, Spanish, earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish from Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in Spanish from New Mexico State University, a Dramatic Arts Certificate from Universidad Autonóma de Nuevo León, Mexico, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Instituo Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Rosales has been on the faculty of the Maricopa Community College District and Arizona State University. Formerly, whe was Executive Editor for Latino Perspectives Magazine, Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Center of Phoenix, and a successful business, marketing and public relations consultant.
Pedro Rubio, Engineering, holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. Rubio has been on the faculty for several Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and Central Arizona College. His non-academic, engineering career includes positions with Intel Corporation, Honeywell, Motorola, International Business Systems (IBM), Cisco Systems and the United States Army.
Dr. Muhammad Sandhu, Biology, holds a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) degree from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Pakistan. Dr. Sandhu was a practicing physician and surgeon early in his career, but has committed most of his professional life to public health, education, teaching, and student success. He was a faculty member at several colleges and universities in New Jersey.
Karen Shively, English, received a Master of Arts in English Literature from University of Akron, Ohio, and Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Kentucky University. Shively has been an instructor for English, Composition and Communications at colleges and universities in Arizona and Ohio.