NEW STAFF: 17 join college full time this semester
Fifteen new faculty members, a new counselor and new division chair joined the IVCC staff this fall.
Larry Ault serves as laboratory instructor for physical science. Ault, who has a master's in environmental science from Indiana University in Bloomington, previously taught physical science for Serena Unit Schools. He also was a staff scientist at Engineering and Testing Services in Indianapolis.
Amanda Bigelow has been hired as a political science, history, and international education instructor. Bigelow, who received her master's in international and comparative political science from Western Michigan University, was a member of the adjunct faculty at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Jennifer Bubb serves as a laboratory instructor in developmental writing and study skills. Bubb has a bachelor's degree from ISU and had worked as a lab instructor in the Reading, Writing and Study Skills Lab.
Jeff Carver left his position as IVCC physical science laboratory instructor to become a chemistry instructor. Carver has a master's degree in chemistry from NIU. He has taught chemistry at NIU and science at Minooka High School.
Choral music and theatre instructor Norman Engstrom holds his master's in fine arts from the University of Minnesota. In addition to serving as a speech instructor at College of DuPage, Engstrom worked for the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Theatre Recreation Opportunity and was a program supervisor for TROOP, a Carol Stream outreach program that allow the developmentally disabled to participate in theatre.
Jeffrey Fesperman, who holds master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of North Carolina, is the new geography instructor. Fesperman was a geography instructor at Gaston College in Dallas and Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C., and an adjunct faculty member at Mitchell College in Statesville, N.C., and Front Range Community College in Ft. Collins, Colo.
Physics instructor John Fons received his doctorate and master's degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He previously served as a lecturer and lab director for Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
David Gordon joins the staff as economics instructor. Gordon, who received his master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of South Florida in Tampa, has served as a lecturer or instructor at Governors State University, the University of Illinois-Chicago and the University of South Florida.
Sameer Haider serves as an instructor in computer science/networking. Haider holds master's degrees in computer science and mathematics from Western Illinois University and was a graduate teaching assistant at WIU.
Cheryl Hobneck and Linda Mudge serve as laboratory instructors in mathematics. Hobneck has a bachelor of science in education/mathematics from ISU while Mudge has her bachelor's in education from NIU. Both previously worked as part-time instructors in the Math Learning Lab at IVCC.
Sociology instructor Merri Mattison holds her bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. In addition to serving as an adjunct instructor at Alma College in Alma, Mich., she served as unit director of admission/behavior unit for the State of Michigan's Mt. Pleasant Center.
Tracy Morris joins the staff as counselor/orientation coordinator. Morris has her master's in counselor education from NIU and bachelor's from Western Illinois University. She had served as a counselor in the Annawan school district and as a teacher at Mendota High School.
Dr. Mary Prentice is the new chair of the social science and public service division. Prentice has a Ph.D. in community college educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a master's in psychology from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. She previously taught at the Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute Community College and served as an evaluation consultant for the American Association of Community Colleges and an administrative intern at the League for Innovation.
Francie Skoflanc is the graphic arts technology coordinator, hired to head IVCC's newly created graphic arts certificate program. Skoflanc, who served as creative director and graphic designer at MCS Advertising in Peru, has a bachelor's in art from ISU.
Sharon Trotter-Martin serves as English and creative writing instructor. Trotter-Martin has served as an adjunct instructor and lab instructor at IVCC. She received her master's degree from Western Illinois University.
Dawn Wiggins has been hired as a mathematics instructor. Wiggins, who formerly served as a computer programmer and part-time mathematics instructor at IVCC, holds a master's and bachelor's in electrical engineering from the U of I.