Wendy Brill-Wynkoop
Wins the State and local WHO Award

Congratulations to #COCFAculty member Wendy Brill-Wynkoop! This year CCA (California Community College Association) acknowledged Wendy Brill-Wynkoop’s steadfast commitment to legislative and political advocacy by awarding her the 2021 CCA State WHO (We Honor Ours) Award. Wendy has testified in front of the California Assembly multiple times, most recently in support of part-time faculty rights.

For over 25 years, Wendy Brill-Wynkoop has led her students and colleagues in improving student success and bettering education.  Wendy has an extensive background in higher education, leadership experience locally and statewide, and a desire to ensure the California Community colleges remain the most vital system of education because they have the most significant potential to transform lives. Over the years at College of the Canyons, she has served in a variety of roles at the local Academic Senate and has served in nearly every leadership position in the College of the Canyons Faculty Association (COCFA), including President.  

At the state level, Wendy’s passion is legislative and political issues.  She has served on the ASCCC Legislative Committee and the Legislative Committee for Community College Association as well as chair the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) Legislative and Advocacy Committee. She is currently the FACCC President-Elect. Wendy has testified numerous times to committees and subcommittees of both houses of the Assembly.  She is proud of her advocacy and testimony regarding online education and in support of part-time faculty rights.  She testified in support of AB 897 (Medina) which sought to increase part-time faculty employment rights from 67% to 85%.   With FACCC, she met with several members of Congress regarding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the Perkins Reauthorization Act, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). With National Education Association Emerging Leaders, she worked in tandem with local union leaders from a Florida community college and one state university on membership recruitment and retention. Through her experience, she learned more about the complex operation that community colleges are and the intricate coordination of its resources; people, facilities, and finances.

Wendy’s focus is always on the student and their needs.  She continually looks for ways to improve education and remove barriers to student success.  A prime example of her dedication and leadership is that after she learned that most community college districts fail to spend millions of lottery funds each year, she advocated to Assemblyman Berman to change the law to require districts to spend the lottery funds in full for the benefit of students.  Assemblyman Berman agreed with Wendy and introduced AB 2884.  The bill allowed Districts to use lottery funds for housing and food assistance for students.  The bill noted that “[i]n light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, it is critical that community colleges have greater flexibility to spend surplus lottery funds now. California community college students were already struggling with hunger, housing insecurity, and homelessness before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, campus closures have created new expenses at the same time that students or their families may have lost their jobs, and community colleges must respond swiftly to this crisis for their vulnerable students. It is, therefore, necessary that this act take effect immediately.”  The bill was passed by the Assembly, signed by the Governor, and took effect immediately on September 20, 2020.

Wendy has comprehensive college, statewide and national leadership experience.  The impact of her advocacy will be felt long-range.  It is with great honor and anticipation that COCFA nominates Wendy Brill-Wynkoop for the State CCA WHO Award for 2021.    

At the intersection of the worlds of humanities, film, and literature, you’ll find Professor Adam Kaiserman, an avid reader and writer who also happens to know an impressive amount of Wes Anderson film trivia. Kaiserman is someone who enjoys all that the world of fine arts has to offer, and it’s been this passion that brought him to COC to share his knowledge with his students.

Kaiserman is currently the chair of the Humanities department, but he also teaches his fair share of English and more specific literature courses. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in English and Religious Studies, and his graduate work led him to a P.h.D. in English with a specialization in 20th Century American Literature. Needless to say, he’s a man who enjoys the written word to the fullest extent.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Kaiserman’s career is the specialty he’s chosen to pursue -- he pays special attention to the ways in which literature and media connect with one another, and the more unique the connection, the more fascinated he is.

Of course, after 15 years of teaching at COC, he’s also developed a love for what he does on campus as well as in his personal writings. Despite having taught a myriad of classes in the fields of Humanities and English, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the influence he extends to his students.

“I want my students to be able to think analytically and logically, and to think through problems in a number of disciplines,” he says. “My hope is for them to find a love of learning and see where it takes them.”

Off campus, he splits his time between his family and various literary pursuits and film pursuits, which means it’s almost impossible to narrow down one single favorite book or movie he’s seen. It all comes down to what’s most thought-provoking and what helps structure his own worldviews -- after all, that’s what the most powerful media is capable of.

These days, when he’s not reading, writing or listening to music, Kaiserman is working on ways to better elevate his instructional abilities as well as further the narrative of appreciating all that literature and film have to offer. In a lot of ways, he’s a lucky man -- he was able to combine his interests with his professional goals, which allowed him to get to where he is now.

And, of course, his students have him as the most solid example of what it looks like when you follow your passion all the way through to the end.

“It’s so important that students find what they love doing and follow it through,” he says. “They’ll be much happier once they figure out what it is that makes them happiest.”

After 24 years of teaching, Dr. Miriam Golbert has grown considerably familiar with the satisfaction of seeing students have their “a-ha!” moment. What she’ll also tell you, though, is that she’s learned just as much from her students as she’s taught them, too.

Dr. Golbert started her educational career at the University of Cordoba in Argentina, where she achieved her Bachelor’s in Biochemistry. She later went on to obtain a Master’s in Biology from CSUN and a Doctorate in  Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. 

Of course, even from the very beginning, Dr. Golbert knew that she was destined to stand at the podium in front of a classroom. She’s always loved the connection formed between herself and her students, and watching them grasp the more difficult concepts held a special something for her that made her realize that teaching was where she belonged. 

“When you see their hard work and how they connect with the subject, it’s the best part of the job,” she says. “That alongside working with the best colleagues makes this profession perfect for me.”

Dr. Golbert is a fan of immersive learning to the fullest extent of the phrase -- she’s the only faculty in her department to have taken her students out on educational adventures all around the globe, including Nicaragua, Ecuador, Uruguay and Argentina. For her, exposing students to the real world is the best way to engage in true learning.

She herself is also an avid fan of adventure and exploration -- she has dreams of returning to Italy to spend more time there and pick up the language fluently. 

As a proud grandmother, much of Dr. Golbert’s time outside of the classroom is spent with her two granddaughters, who have introduced her to the world of cartoon movies (like Trolls World Tour, which she’s unabashedly watched four times now). 

Aside from time with her granddaughters, Dr. Golbert focuses on both mental and physical acuity, which means you can find her either on the tennis courts or in front of a computer researching ways to further enhance her students’ experiences with her as an instructor.

Needless to say, she’s more than just a professor -- she’s a leader, a mentor, and an encourager of success in all forms of the word.

“I tell my students that no matter what’s going on with their lives, I’m here to guide them and help them achieve their goals,” she says. “I’ll be here afterwards, for whatever they may need in the future.”

For Professor Gary Collis, the worlds of business and law are not mutually exclusive -- in fact, they are intricately connected in a way that sparked his love for learning early on in his educational journey.

Collis began his collegiate journey at the University of Illinois, where he graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Management. One semester along the way, he enrolled in a Business Law class, and it was then that he realized his interest in law was most definitely tied to his interest in business. The realization led him back to California, where he enrolled in Pepperdine's Law School. 

For two decades, Collis was a full-time practicing attorney, but he did teach a few paralegal courses here at COC. Despite the long drive down from Downtown L.A., he found a particular type of enjoyment from being a professor, even if he wasn't able to dedicate as much time to teaching as he'd like to at that point in his career.

He currently teaches Business Law, which is a universal business course that is a part of every business program in the country. 

When asked about his decision to leave his full-time career as an attorney, Collis shared that he craved a way to make a more direct, positive effect on society -- for him, that meant leaving the office and entering the classroom.

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing that you’ve sparked a student’s interest in learning more about your subject,” he shares. “It’s especially rewarding when I get those few students who start thinking about going to law school one day once they’re in my class.”

While the law is admittedly a confrontational field to work in, Collis is reassured in his decision to join the world of teaching -- “In the classroom, people are learning rather than fighting,” he comments.

What others might not expect to hear is that Collis has more unique pursuits lined up for himself in terms of his life outside of the classroom. When he's not at a restaurant with friends or spending hours in his living room watching Netflix, he's setting up his travel schedule for the year. 

It may come as a surprise to hear that Collis harbors a desire to become an expert in general contracting and construction, which is admittedly a far cry from the more “mild-mannered” setting of the classroom, but a rewarding and exciting pursuit nonetheless.

Collis is a man of many interests and talents, and his love for the law has translated well into his role as a professor here at the college.

"The law is interesting, and it doesn't have to be scary," he often reminds his students. "It's worth taking the time to delve into more deeply -- trust me."

There are few things in life more rewarding than pursuing your passion and making a living out of it -- Anthropology professor Sarah Etheridge can attest to that.

After going through almost four full years of college, she realized that her initial choice -- political science -- wasn't encompassing everything she was passionate about (and capable of). With one semester left of her career, she decided to double-major in anthropology and poli sci -- a decision she's never regretted since.

Etheridge is currently a graduate student at Stanford, where she's studying advanced genetics. After acquiring her B.A. in Anthropology and Political Science at Texas A & M University, she went on to pursue an M.A. in Anthropology at Cal State Fullerton and eventually went on to hold a P.h.D in Public Health. With one glance at her educational background, anyone can see her love for anthropology led her towards a rewarding career.

"I always tell my students to pick something that they're passionate about as a career," she shares. "Money is not as important as happiness, and if you do what you love, you'll find a way to make the money work."

Etheridge leads her students by example -- she has a non-profit, Bright Water Foundation, that provides clean water education to developing countries. The organization is just one of how she encourages her students to care more about the world around them.

Here at COC, she teaches a few different anthropology classes, specifically at the 101 and 220 levels. Etheridge makes it a point to guide her students towards being more open-minded about the world around them, and she wants them to care about issues and want to enact change within the world.

On a personal note, she splits her time between volunteering and her home life, spending time with her boyfriend, and their six pets (she's an animal-lover in all senses of the word).

Her own goals for the future include visiting as many countries as possible -- London and Spain specifically have caught her eye.

She’s an avid reader and collector; as a fan of Harry Potter and Doctor Who, it’s not unlikely for her fandom knick-knacks to line the shelves of her home. On another note, she’s also a huge college football and NFL fan -- the Texas A & M Aggies and Denver Broncos hold a special place in her heart!

From the beginning of her educational career, Sarah Etheridge has combined her passion and profession to affect change within the world -- she is, in many ways, working to become the change she wants to see in the world and hopes that her students will, too.

When she was younger, Lori Young fell in love with playing “office” and “school” at home, opting for the fun of imaginary “clients” and “students” over the more typical board games or play forts. Though she didn’t know it at the time, these childhood games would eventually lead her towards her very own grown up office and school, and now that she’s landed herself in the career of her dreams, she’s never been happier.

Young is a full time professor here at COC, having joined the faculty after retiring from a fulfilling career at a law firm. She started off with an Associate’s Degree from Antelope Valley College just a drive down from Santa Clarita, and worked all the way up to her Master’s from the George Washington University.

“I wake up every morning looking forward to going to work,” Young says. “Getting to mentor students and watch them blossom.. It’s just an amazing thing to experience.”

Young teaches in the Paralegal Studies department here at COC, where she’s currently an instructor for Intro to Law, Contract Law, and Legal Technology.

She’s not just a professor and an advocate of the law, though. She’s also a motivator, mentor, and inspirer to her students.

“I want my students to believe in themselves and to challenge themselves to reach their goals,” she says. “I constantly remind them to continue their education and to never stop learning.”

Young’s love of law and the thrill of education come second only to her love for her family and friends. You can often find her scouting for sea glass out on the beach, or perhaps rewatching Erin Brokovich or Moneyball for the millionth time.

During sports seasons, she’s either cheering on her favorite teams (the Bruins and the Dodgers, of course) or out on the trails hiking or bicycling.

Young is happily married and has plans to travel to the Galapagos Islands, not only to enjoy the beauty and scenery that they offer, but to see what educational opportunities await her there, too.

In her years as a COC student, Katie Coleman experienced what it was like to have the support and resources necessary to move forward in life towards success. In fact, her time at COC was what convinced her that she quite literally wanted to stay in school forever -- she just needed to find a way to earn a living while she was at it.

Coleman is a professor in the Sociology department here at COC. She transferred out to UCSB with the help of COC’s own counseling and teaching faculty, after which she earned her M.A. in Sociology at CSUN before returning to her roots to teach at COC, where she’s been since she graduated.

She teaches a vast variety of classes within the sociology and criminology departments, including intro classes and more specific ones like Women Studies and Social Problems. If you ask her, sociology is one of the most interesting and engaging topics there is -- and it’s her top priority to share that enthusiasm for sociology with her students.

“I want my students to take away a sense of community,” she says. “We are far more connected than we are separate.”

Coleman is all about interpersonal connections both inside and outside of the classroom; when she’s not putting together next week’s lesson plan, she’s spending time with her family and her (seemingly infinite) dogs. For her, relationships are everything.

One fact you may be surprised to learn of is that in her past life, she was a competitive hula hooper -- nowadays, she leans more towards enjoying tennis as her primary sport, but who wouldn’t want to hear a couple of hula hooping stories now and then?

In her future are plans to continue traveling the world alongside her family. So far, they’ve visited five of the seven continents, and she hopes to cross all seven off of her bucket list in the coming years.

Her classroom bucket list consists mainly of uplifting her students and instilling within them all that the fascinating world of sociology has to offer.

“Students are the best part of my job, and it’s such a thrill watching them have their own ‘a-ha’ moments,” she shares. “I want them to know that they’re capable, important, and irreplaceable -- they’re each on their own path to success.”

At the end of the day, Coleman’s love for teaching and education brought her full circle, and now that she’s made the transition from learner to teacher, she’s made it her goal to inspire and uplift every student that walks through her classroom doors.

For professor Jason Oliver, architecture is about more than simply designing and creating beautiful or functional structures. It’s about creating a world that is more sustainable and environmentally conscious while still maintaining all the aspects of aestheticism that so many people associate with architectural masterpieces, and that’s the number one lesson he passes on to his students here at COC.

Oliver himself has roots in the community college scene -- he started out as a student at Pierce College here in Los Angeles, and eventually transferred out to the University of Colorado to earn his Bachelor’s in Environmental Design and later, his Master’s in Architecture.

From there, it took little deliberation before he landed on teaching as the career path he wanted to pursue. He started teaching in 1999, and a few years later, he joined COC’s faculty in 2003 before becoming a full time faculty member in the summer of 2015.

Oliver knew that teaching was in the cards for him; seeing the spark in students’ eyes when they learn something new was part of what made the world of education so appealing for him. Now that he’s made it to the top of the architectural scene, he sees it as his duty to teach his students about how they can have an influence on the world in more environmentally educated ways.

“I want my students to be confident professionals who have a solid knowledge of the subject,” Oliver says. “When they’re confident and they keep moving forward, they’ll always make it to their goals. 

Nowadays, when he’s not putting together lectures or enriching his classes in some way, he’s split between taking his daughters to dance class or enjoying the outdoors through hiking and snowboarding. He’s also a big fan of college football, which is why you’ll find him cheering on his favorite team on the days when he’s not out spending time on the trails with his kids.

Of course, he’s an architectural enthusiast outside of the classroom, too. Oliver has taken up some architectural work on the side. He’s currently working to rebuild a house up in the Santa Monica mountains in the aftermath of the Woolsey fire, but that’s just one of his side projects that he enjoys immersing himself in.

He dreams of one day exploring architecture out in the rest of the world, too -- on his travel bucket list is Italy, which  touts an incredibly rich architectural heritage that drew him in from the start.

“In my field, students can have a lot of influence on the world,” Oliver shares. “It’s up to me to show them how to make the most of it.”

Collette Gibson may have ventured out of the Santa Clarita Valley to pursue higher education, but along the way, she never lost sight of her roots right here at COC. After putting in the time and effort necessary to get to the top, she came full circle -- right back to the campus she started her journey on.

Gibson was initially a Communications major at COC when she first enrolled, but she quickly made the switch to Mathematics in her first semester (you could call it instinct). 

As a member of the first ever honors program at COC, Gibson graduated with flying colors before transferring to UCLA to achieve her undergrad and, eventually, her post-grad education in Mathematics. 

When she graduated, she entered into the workforce while it was at its trickiest -- hiring employers were difficult to come by, and as her heart started to change, she realized an old connection from COC might just have been what she needed to get her foot in the door in terms of her career.

After reaching out to a professor at COC, she learned of an open faculty position and went on to join the math department here at the college, where she’s been for over two decades now.

“I love to get in front of my classes and be entertaining,” she says. “It’s so great to have those enlightening moments where I can make math an enjoyable rather than a painful subject!”

At home, Gibson is still all about connections and closeness. She splits her time between outdoor activities with her two sons and planning for someday-travels with her husband in the future. 

Of course, being a mom is a full time job, which can make it tough to balance her work responsibilities and her household ones. Through meditation, casual exercise, and quality time with family, she manages to keep her head on straight -- something fairly impressive, considering how difficult it can be to juggle equations, formulas, and all the mom-duties that come with being a working parent.

Over the years, Gibson has formed countless good memories from her time at COC, both as a student and a faculty member. For now, she’s happy where she is, and coming full circle is what’s made her truly feel whole. 

Teaching and leadership have always been a part of who Heaven Warner is. During her time in the field of accounting, she came to the realization that what she enjoyed more often than not was being the guide that others looked to for new information, and it was this epiphany that brought her to the education scene after 12 years in the field.

Warner attended the University of Houston to obtain her Bachelor’s in Accounting with a minor in Statistics, and later went on to receive her M.B.A. as well. From the beginning, she knew the field of business and accounting was for her, though it did take a little bit of experimenting to figure out how exactly she would use her knowledge to help better the world around her.

“I don’t think I really appreciated college during my undergrad; I was young and just wanted the piece of paper to get a good job,” she admits. “When I went back to school for my M.B.A., though, I fell in love with education.”

Warner has now been at COC full time since the fall of 2017, though she’s been teaching for a total of almost 10 years. Here on campus, she teaches a variety of different business classes, all with the hope of leading her students towards success.

Of course, even though she’s now the teacher rather than the student, that doesn’t mean she’s done pushing the limits of her knowledge. On the weekends, you can find her studying and reading up on foreign exchange currency trading, both of which tie into her love for constantly learning more about her field.

When she’s not reading up on how to best immerse herself in the world of business, she’s compiling an impressive travel bucket list, with hopes of visiting Bali, Greece, and Thailand someday.

All of her hobbies and free time come together to tie into her main goal: passing on her wisdom and experience onto her students, who she hopes take advantage of her as a valuable resource in their own journey towards success.

“I want them to know that I genuinely care about their education and their success,” she says. “That’s the best advice I can give them — keep going until you reach your goals.”

History and human motivation have been intricately intertwined, in much the same way that Professor Julie Johnson's love of education and the pursuit of higher knowledge are. For someone like her, the most critical aspect of examining History is not looking for life lessons embedded in the past, but rather finding ways to connect centuries-old stories and events to meaningful real-world applications --  a goal that many of her students can attest.

Johnson started as a Musical Theater major, which she describes as a natural segue into History, which she later studied before achieving her Master's in American History from the University of Alaska. At the moment, Johnson is currently working towards her P.h.D. in  American History from Claremont Graduate University.

She started her educational career right here in Santa Clarita many years ago, teaching at Valencia High School and later moving to a charter school to teach History and, gradually, becoming the principal. Johnson joined COC's team as a full-time faculty member back in 2017, and she's never once looked back. 

"Education just enveloped me from the beginning," she says. "I always knew I wanted to focus on history, so it's great that I get to do what I love every single day."

In her free time, Johnson splits her time between reading historical fiction and nonfiction, which goes hand in hand with her desire to enhance her students' educational journeys alongside her own. In addition to her P.h.D. dissertation, Johnson has been working on two screenplays she hopes to finish soon, which she emphasizes as a goal of honing her writing skills and improving them as much as possible.

For her, the essential aspect of her job involves "converting" students into avid fans of History, and the rewards of her career as a professor are especially fruitful when she hears that she's influenced the future of her students.

"Every semester, I'm amazed by the connections that my students can make between the past and the present," she shares. "The best part is when a former student comes and tells me that they're majoring in History because of me. I want them to come away from my classes, sharing my same love of History."

When she's not working on improving her classes or working on her writing, she's busy filling the role of a proud mother and wife -- her husband, two kids, and their two dogs are her whole life, and she can often be found on the bleachers of her son's baseball games at Hart. And when she's not out cheering him on, she's at home indulging in classic movies (as is the life of a old-time movie buff like her).

Johnson never forgets her roots, though -- alongside her daughter, she makes sure to stretch her musical theater muscle now and then, paying homage to a passion of hers that undoubtedly played a role in her history.

"History becomes so meaningful when you can connect early events to the modern-day," she says, speaking both about her professional and personal lives. "Everything comes to life when you see how interconnected everything is."

On a hot Saturday afternoon, Professor Jeremy Patrich is miles away from his living room couch and TV. He's up in the mountains and forests, accompanied by about 100 students who are eager to participate in the journey towards enjoying and appreciating nature for all it is -- a journey proudly led by Patrich. If you ever get the chance to ask him about his class field trips, he's more than happy to tell you how much he prefers the eastern Sierra to the usual Netflix binge session that you'd typically associate with a free Saturday. 

Patrich is a professor within the Geography program of the Earth and Space Sciences department here at COC. He started at COC as a music major before one professor in the geography department made him realize that there was something about the earth that called to him far more than all the music and melodies in the world.

Patrich transferred to CSUN (with 120 units!), where he received his Bachelor's in Geography, and gradually went on to also acquire his Bachelor's in Geology from the University of Florida. Along the way, he realized that his talents lay not only within teaching his students but expanding their understanding of the world around them at large.

"The best part of my discipline is not in a class, but rather being able to take all the classroom info from the course and apply it on our field trips," he said. "We hike through mountains, rivers, lakes. We go out and explore nature."

His field trips are meaningful not only as a learning experience but as opportunities to connect with nature and one another in ways that the typical classroom might not allow. Patrich loves all of the courses he teaches, from Physical Geography to Weather and Climate.

“Every single one of my classes is my favorite for a different reason,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

This year marks Patrich's second year as a full-time faculty member here at COC. Still, in such a short amount of time, he's developed a full arsenal of instructional abilities and life lessons that he passes onto his students. He makes it a priority to instill in his students the value of hard work and sacrifice -- both of which are necessary to make it in a world where opportunities are everything for those who work for them.

Patrich also takes great pride in the fact that he's the first professor in his department to be 100% OER, meaning his students never have to worry about accessing textbooks for his classes. 

When he's not on campus or leading one of his famed field trips, Patrich is at home, working on cars or gardening -- a testament to his endless love for the outside world and all of its wonders. One main niche hobby is his love of Disney collecting -- every room in his house has a theme based on the Disneyland lands (Adventureland, Frontierland, and so on). Artwork as a whole is an interest of his, but Disney artwork, in particular, has always caught his attention. 

He has plans to travel to Greenland and experience the Northern Lights himself someday, but in the meantime, he’s happy to split his time between Dodger games, good times with good friends, and overall enjoying all the world has to offer him, both indoors and out.

"I hope that I can teach my students to analyze the world a little differently and see things in a new way after having me as their instructor," Patrich shares. "Taking my students to new and important places is so inspiring, and I'm lucky that I get to do what I do."

Much of Professor Karyl Kicenski's personality can be summed up in this one quote from her. Regardless of where she goes, which classes she teaches, and who she encounters along the way, her dedication to enriching others' lives through the power of communication is unmatched.

Kicenski started out as a Communication Studies major at CSUN, graduating with a B.A. and eventually an M.A. in the field. She later went on to achieve her doctorate degree in Cultural Studies from George Mason University. In her years of research, she has studied the structures of social power and privilege, her commitment to the classroom and the collaboration of teaching and learning has only grown over time. 

“I was a C student my whole life until I really understood my love of knowledge much later in life,” she shares when speaking on how she discovered the possibilities that communication studies offered her.

When one professor in her Master’s program expressed his confidence in her, it only reinforced her desire to become a teacher and spread that confidence and knowledge with others around her.

Here at COC, Kicenski currently teaches a wide variety of communications classes, from Public Speaking to Rhetoric and Persuasion, Communication Theory, and Intercultural Communication.

Above all, Kicenski is grateful for her ability to teach and engage in the ideas that make everyday ventures so exciting for her. 

"I want my students to know that they have this special insight, an intellectual gift that cannot be denied -- they are valuable, they matter, and we at COC are here because we believe in them," she shares emphatically.

She brings her love of communication and knowledge home with her every day, expressing her desire to one day become an expert at being able to share her own gifts and talents with others. 

On the weekends, after enjoying a lazy morning with her family and friends, she takes on the task of catching up on grading. However, for someone like Kicenski, it's just one necessary part of the journey towards higher-level knowledge.

As an avid traveler, Kicenski dreams of returning to Greece, but also Seychelles.. and Fiji, and Croatia, and London -- the list goes on!

"I always tell others that if they are willing to learn, they are on the right path," she says. "They are right where they need to be, and they should trust the process -- let it be and enjoy what is in front of you!"

In many ways, librarians are the unsung heroes of any college campus -- their knowledge of resources across all avenues of formats makes them a crucial part of any student’s educational journey, and COC’s own librarian, Jennifer Thompson, is perhaps the best example of that.

From a young age, Thompson was a helper and was eager to lend her knowledge to others, most significantly as a tutor. From the very beginning, she wanted to reach out and share in the active pursuit of knowledge and take part in some learning of her own, too. 

“The best part of my profession is that I learn something new every day, and when students discover information about their topics, I’m learning right alongside them,” she says.

Thompson holds a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, which makes her highly qualified for the role she plays here on COC’s campus. She started out working at her own college library while she was still in school, and after realizing the impact she could have on students, it finally clicked that the library was the place she was meant to be.

Of course, it's no secret that Thompson herself is an avid reader and is continually searching for ways to keep herself well-informed in just the same as the library's patrons do (though she has a particular love for Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre). Outside of the bibliophile world, though, she's also has a few interests she credits with allowing her to maintain a balance between work and play.

On the weekends, Thompson enjoys taking walks and both playing and watching basketball recreationally. Surprisingly, though she's a considerably active participant in sports, she doesn't know how to ride a bike -- but what she lacks in this area, she makes up for with her expertise in rollerblading. Her wanderlust is also what sets her apart from many -- while Greece is at the top of her traveling bucket list, she finds it difficult to ever really pick just one place.

All in all, for Thompson, the pursuit of knowledge never really ends, and for that reason, it’s clear to everyone that she’s landed herself in the perfect career for herself.

“There’s a ton of information out there -- we are all constant consumers and creators, and I want students to be thinking critically about the information they consume daily," Thompson shares.

Erica Seubert is a professor who believes in the power of her students. As she can tell you herself, her classes involve empowering students through her love of biology and the world around her. In many ways, she's made it a point to show her students just how capable they are of enacting change in the precious ecosystems in which they live. 

Initially, she was hired to teach microbiology, Seubert also teaches general biology and is actively working to reinvigorate the marine biology classes at COC. She joined COC as a full-time professor in the Spring of 2018 right off the bat, and she's never once questioned whether or not biology was the field for her.

Seubert knew from the very beginning that she wanted to specialize in marine biology, thanks in part to her love of the 1998 Disney film The Little Mermaid. Her undergrad in Marine Biology gradually led her to her P.h.D. in Biological Sciences from USC, and she now makes it her mission to help her students explore just what kind of magic lies in the world of biology.

“I love empowering my students so that they can be successful even after they leave my classroom,” Seubert says. “I spent a lot of time stimulating independent learning so that, no matter where they go or where they end up, they know enough about their learning processes that they can succeed anywhere.”

Seubert herself runs a Citizens Science Harmful Algalbloom Monitoring Program, which operates off-campus (though it's a goal of hers to introduce COC students into it sometime soon). The program itself involves monitoring local bodies of water for potentially harmful algae specimens to prevent future complications, as could be the case with such events as climate change. 

When she’s not working with her program or working on planning lessons, she’s still in the throes of the aquatic world -- Seubert is a U.S. Master’s swimmer, and aside from that, she remains active by running half-marathons and marathons. 

Soon she hopes to become as active in her traveling as she is in her pursuit of good health, with plans to travel to Hawaii and revisit Iceland, where she spent her honeymoon. 

Though she’s got a love for athleticism, Seubert shares that her most important goal is to one day get her students to fall in love with biology in the same way that she did all those years ago. 

“I love to get my students to that “aha!” moment,” she says. “There’s an entire world out there, and biology is an amazing field to start exploring it through.”

With over two decades of experience as a teacher, Professor Anne Marenco has most certainly developed her skills as an instructor -- that's a given. But after 21 years in the field, she's never once been able to choose just one favorite class to explore within the fascinating world of sociology.

At the start of her journey, Marenco attended CSUN and acquired her B.S. and M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, and eventually went on to pursue an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from USC. Her areas of specialty are aging and family, and needless to say, she’s got quite the educational resume to bolster her success as a professor here at COC. 

Marenco joined COC as a full-time faculty member back in 2007, and over the years, she's taught countless sociology courses during her tenure. When asked about a favorite, however, she was quick to respond that there is simply no way of choosing one particular course over all the others.

"Every class is just so different, and that's what I love about teaching," she shares. "It's impossible to choose my favorite -- every semester, whichever classes I'm teaching become my favorites."

Outside of the classroom, Marenco immerses herself in a vast array of hobbies -- camping, gardening, traveler, and playing with her grandkids are just a few of her favorite pastimes. Where her personal life is concerned, she’s a proud grandmother, and will soon be celebrating two decades of being happily married to her husband. 

Though Marenco is a self-proclaimed "musically-deficit" individual, she is nevertheless artistic in her ventures. As an avid painter, quilter, and reader, Marenco is a woman of culture, which ties in well to her love for sociology and her desire to understand the world around her. 

Marenco's passion for sociology and life, in general, translates well into her desire to uplift her students, both academically and personally.

"I want my students to leave my class as better critical thinkers, and I want them to think about the world in a way that they might not have before," she says. "I also teach them never to be afraid of speaking up and asking questions!"

At the moment, her number one bucket list goal is to travel to Australia and experience the landscape and excitement that await her there. 

Anne Marenco is far more than a professor -- she’s a grandmother, a wife, an artist, and a lover of all that the world has to offer.

For many professors, their love for teaching was clear from the beginning -- the allure of affecting change from the classroom was enticing enough to set them directly on the path towards being an educator. For others, however, the way to a rewarding and impactful career wasn't always the most obvious one -- a struggle that professor Adam Kaminsky finds familiar. 

Kaminsky started initially as an Accounting major here at COC, having set his mind on pursuing a career that he felt was equal parts respectable and practical. That changed, though, when he took his first public speaking class. Despite his struggle to overcome his fear of speaking in front of others, he embarked on a journey that would eventually lead to a degree in Communication Studies. 

“I started taking more classes that involved public speaking to try and desensitize myself to it, and it turned into me loving the idea of communication as a whole,” he says. “It was during these classes that I realized how impactful communication could be.”

Kaminsky decided to return to his home college campus after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, and later his Master's in the same field. As of 2007, he's been teaching at COC for 13 years -- and he never once had any doubts about returning to his roots.

He teaches several classes within the Communication Studies field here at the college, and on top of that, he's the Assistant Director to the Speech Team, he takes much joy in this fact. If you ask him, he's more than happy to share that he loves every aspect of his field, and as a professor and AD to the Speech Team, he has an excuse to do everything he loves professionally.

"I love everything about communication studies, but I also love how much I get to interact with students," he shares emphatically. "We get to have great conversations and hold tons of discussions that students enjoy, so it's perfect for me."

In both his professional and his personal life, he holds the mindset that everyone needs to figure out their "why" -- discovering intrinsic motivation, to Kaminsky, is a crucial part of experience both in and out of the classroom.

At home, he spends much of his time with his kids, jumping between the sidelines of basketball, baseball, and soccer field sidelines. Kaminsky himself is an active man as well, sharing his love of mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, and volleyball. As his wife, COC counselor Alisha Kaminsky can tell you her husband is a man who seeks out how to find how he can be the best version of himself in all aspects.

One of his life goals is to go heliskiing, which entails jumping out of a helicopter and skiing down a mountain -- a considerably more adventurous pursuit than his wife’s current bucket list goal of sleeping more than three to four hours in a night (a goal she’s held ever since the birth of her kids).

All in all, Adam Kaminsky is a man dedicated to his field, his family, and the confidence of those around him. In many ways, he’s brought the world of communication studies to the intersection of personal and professional success.

“When students leave my class, I want them to be willing to look at things a new way, and know that it’s okay to be uncomfortable sometimes,” he says. “I want to have helped them become better critical thinkers in every single way.”

These are the words that Professor Shannon Doronio shares with her students whenever the going gets tough. In the world of design, where creativity and confidence are the foundation of success, each student is talented in their way -- but Doronio's job is to instill within them the importance of working hard, too. 

Doronio herself first attended Otis College of Art and Design to complete a certificate program for Design, Print and Production and loved it so much she enrolled full-time and received her BFA. She joined COC as a full-time faculty member in 2017, and in her time as a professor, she's become well acquainted with what it takes to motivate her design students to be their best selves. 

“The best part of what I do is watching students realize that they’ve understood the design process this whole time -- they just didn’t know it.” she shares.

Early in her professional career, Doronio and her husband started up a small design agency, and it was this decision that gradually led her to COC through a recommendation of a friend. After participating in lectures and workshops, she ended up at our campus and realized that teaching was where she truly felt she belonged.

Doronio has made it a  goal to act as a resource for her students as well as a motivator. As a first-generation college student herself, she places a heavy emphasis on standing in the gap that can often be left between her students and their parents to help the whole family be successful. 

"Mentoring my students throughout their design education is just an amazing part of my job," she shares. "I love helping each student figure out what part of the design industry they want to be a part of, and I make it a point to be there for every one of them."

Doronio's personal life is filled with equal parts hard work and play -- when the weather permits, she spends much of her time outdoors with her kids or working her way through all of the rides at Disneyland with her family. 

For her, creativity doesn’t stop when she steps outside of her classroom -- she loves drawing, painting, and teaching her kids how to be their most imaginative selves at home, too.

“I’m fortunate that my job is also something I love to do, so the work feels like a fun.” she says.

These are the words that Professor Susan Hinshaw lives by, and they’re the same inspirational words that she passes onto her students semester after semester. As a lover of theater and a dedicated member of the COC instructing faculty, Hinshaw makes it a priority to ensure that her students all get to see the excitement and opportunity that the world of acting holds for them.

Hinshaw's love for theater bloomed when she took an acting class in her senior year of high school. After receiving her BA from the School of Drama at the University of Washington in Seattle. She pursued her MFA in Acting at Cal State Fullerton, but perhaps the most exciting aspect of her career has been studying with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. Hinshaw transitioned into teaching when she realized that, for her, teaching students the art of acting brought her more joy than merely pursuing it herself. 

Here at COC, she teaches various acting courses, including Fundamentals of Acting, Scene Performance, Solo Performance, and Theater Production. "The best part of teaching is opening the hearts and minds of my students," she shares. "Many students come to acting to retrieve their emotional life, and theater is the perfect place to do that."

Indeed, Hinshaw has made it her mission to allow students to bring out their inner lives via theater. On a more personal note, Hinshaw indulges herself in the excitement of traveling and sports; specifically, she is an avid skier, swimmer, and more. Among her arsenal of personal achievements is her experience as a downhill ski instructor and ballroom dance instructor, which only adds to her love for performing.

“These days, I’m spending more time writing than acting,” she says. “My goal one day is to get a book published or have a screenplay produced.” Hinshaw is an individual who has entirely thrown herself into the world of acting and theater. As a woman of many talents, she has undoubtedly found a way to combine her love for teaching with the desire to spread her love of acting far beyond the reach of the stage. 

To her students, she’s Professor Wendy Brill; to her friends and family, she’s Wendy; and to her colleagues, she’s simply “one of the Brills” (though she’s quick to clarify that she and fellow MEA professor Dave Brill are siblings and not spouses). 

Before she was Professor Wendy Brill, she was just a girl with a camera and a love of photography. Brill graduated from USC with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and later went on to attain her Master’s in Fine Arts with a specialty in Creative Photography -- a feat she reflects on as incredibly exciting, given that she graduated right as the world was beginning to explore digital and mixed media forms. Brill came to COC in 1997, and she’s never once looked back. In her 20+ years of teaching, her love of education and photography have only grown along with her desire to inspire her own students to explore the world of media for themselves.

Her journey towards embracing photography to the fullest started far earlier, though, than her college years. She jokingly credits one particular high school classmate with “showing her the darkroom”, and at 15 years old, she instantly fell in love -- with photography, that is.

“When I watched him take a negative and expose the pring, I was completely smitten with photography,” she shares. “I couldn’t believe it -- I’d been into art and music beforehand, but when he introduced me to photography, I was set.” Brill is currently the Department Chair of Photography, though she’s taught her fair share of photography classes at COC. She’s instructed nearly every photo class COC has ever offered, but the Black and White Photography class always holds a special place in her heart -- you could say she’s still seeking out the magic she experienced in the dark room all those years ago (and it goes hand in hand with her love of old-timey movies and costumes). 

Nowadays, with the movement towards all things digital and high tech, Brill shares that she’s still a fan of face-to-face interactions with students. Though much of her instruction has taken place through online classes, she never fails to inspire each and every one of her students, regardless of the medium. 

“Everybody has something that makes them special and strong, and as teachers, our job is to show our students that they can always be successful,” she says. “It’s important they know that it’s okay to fail, as long as you don’t give up.”

In her downtime, Brill still immerses herself in the world of photography, but she’s happy to take a break for family time, camping, and gardening, all of which she credits as her opportunities for R & R. And, of course, there’s the occasional idyllic, coffee-in-hand lazy morning that she always looks forward to.

At this point in her life, photography has become more of a hobby than a career, but don’t be fooled -- even all these years later, life will always hold a special something for Wendy Brill when viewed through the lens of a camera.

As a professor in the graphic and multimedia design department for two decades, Professor Mark Daybell has learned a thing or two about what it means to grow and become the best designer you can -- and now it’s his mission to make sure his students can do the same.

Daybell received his B.S. in Applied Art and Design from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, and later went on to earn his M.F.A. from Cal State Fullerton. After his graduation, it was just a short leap to the next stage in his career: teaching design to students of his own. This year marks Daybell’s 20th year as a full time faculty member, and in that time, he’s learned much about the world of design. 

“It’s so creative, collaborative, and challenging -- the need for better designers has increased tremendously, but so has the desire for speedier designers,” he says. “Design itself gives us a professional outlet to be creative, as all humans are built to be.”

Over all else, Daybell has prioritized the importance of hard work and determination to his students. He’s also immersed himself in the world of art experiences -- whether it be attending a museum, gallery, or spending time with his own artistic acquaintances, he’s never not working his creative muscle.

“Design takes up most of my time, but I’m okay with it because I enjoy what I do,” he says.

Daybell is a man of culture through and through -- when he’s not enjoying an art exhibit or working on his next project, he’s playing guitar or tagging along with his wife to different culinary experiences (of which there are many in L.A., as he’s happy to share). They’ve also got plans to continue traveling the world together, which Daybell sees as not only an opportunity to enjoy the world, but also learn from it, too.

Exercise plays a pretty important role in Daybell’s life, too -- though he’s more interested in “boring” exercises (according to him) like jogging, walking and yoga, you might be surprised to learn that he’s recently decided to pick up surfing again after a 20-year-long break -- he’s quite literally a man of dedication. 

Much of Daybell’s professional and personal lives intersect -- literally. One of his current projects is that of “Intersect L.A.”, an idea that involves having students working on professional design projects on campus, which would allow them to develop the experience regarding the more professional side of the design world. In addition to that, he wants to continue working on a project called “Unequal Measure”, which involves interviewing creative professionals to learn more about their own processes in hopes of inspiring his students to see just how many doors design can open for them.

“I tell my students that it’s all about practicing, and believing that if you want something, you can do it with enough hard work,” Daybell shares. “I want my students to learn how to get the ball rolling on their own and be successful from beginning to end, because that’s what matters most.”

COC’s faculty may be familiar with Professor Tricia George, who teacher within the English department here at the college. What may come as a surprise, however, is that her areas of expertise extend far further than her love for literature and teaching. Before she was an expert in the field of English, George received her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University. This degree is undoubtedly a far cry from her later pursuits as an English professor. She graduated with her M.A. in English in 2007, and then in 2014 received her Ph.D. in English from the University of Tennessee.

It was during her time at the University of Tennessee that she was first introduced to the world of teaching, having taught as a part of her Ph.D. coursework. Later down the line, when she first began teaching an introductory English class in 2017, George realized that she loved the dynamic, creative aspect of teaching, and it was enough to encourage her to pursue it as a full-time career. “I guess I had never thought of myself as a teacher, so that had prevented me from thinking about being a professor as well,” she says. “When I reached the classroom, however, I loved working on complex ideas with my students as we all churned through the material together.” As of right now, George teaches a few different English courses here at COC, including English 103, English 250, and English 251. As a professor at a community college, she finds it necessary to reassure her students that nothing should intimidate them in their educational journey – her best advice is to "just keep putting one foot in front of the other," and "taking small steps will gradually lead to a fulfilling and rewarding future."

"College is a time to sift through what we think we know, find our priorities, and think about crafting the world into a slightly better version of itself," she shares. "I hope all students get to experience that to some degree." Though she may be an expert in all things English (and, more specifically, medieval and Renaissance literature), George is the first to admit that there are specific skills that she yearns to become more adept with – the first of which being parenting, because, in reality, is anyone ever a real expert on parenting?

George comes home to her husband and niece every evening, and she’s made it a priority to spend time with her family through activities like gardening and interior design. She’s also an avid fan of the outdoors, as is evident through her enjoyment of hiking and rock climbing. On her list of goals for the future is an endless travel itinerary, which includes plans to visit Scandinavia, Hawaii, Italy, Switzerland, and more. Much of her life thus far has been spent navigating the intersection of her personal and professional lives, and though she knows she has a lot to learn, she's embracing the journey with open arms.

Inspiring. Encouraging. Guiding. Uplifting. The counseling department at COC plays many roles in the success of the college's students, both academically and personally. Each member of the counseling team is dedicated to supporting every single student that walks onto campus. As a seasoned counselor and member of the department, counselor Tony Law has firsthand experience with what it takes to be a part of that team. Law holds a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University right here in Los Angeles. His emphasis is in marriage and family therapy, but his counseling skills have made him a versatile member of the COC community in many other fields.

Law first joined the faculty back in 2015 and began officially working as counseling faculty in 2017. From the very beginning, he knew he wanted a career in the education system -- it just took him a little while to realize that counseling was his true calling. “I fell in love with the community college system and higher education in general when I worked as a transfer rep for a while,” Law shares on his desire to go into counseling. “I’m happy to be where I am now as a counselor.” Here at COC, Law's primary responsibility is to support and uplift students throughout their educational journey. Still, he's also comfortable in the classroom -- he's taught counseling courses every semester since he joined COC's staff, and his passion lies in helping students develop their college success skills. "I want my students to know that it's okay to ask for help and that if they believe in themselves, they can overcome any obstacles that they face," he says. "It's so important to stay motivated in the face of life's challenges."

Off-campus, Law is a man of culture and personal success in his own right. As an avid tennis player, he’s an expert at figuring out what de-stresses him and helps him stay busy and connected with others -- a critical skill that he strives to share with his students as well. As a member of the United States Tennis Association, he’s made it his top bucket list goal to attend each of the four tennis grand slams at least once in his lifetime.

One particularly interesting fact about Law is his impressive athletic history; in his own words, you'd never suspect that he's run over ten half-marathons and was once a diligent running athlete. Keeping in tune with his positive attitude as a counselor is his love for the occasional feel-good movie, with Disney’s Coco and Moana taking the top two spots on his list of movies to enjoy alongside his niece and nephew. Tony Law is someone who spends much of his time focusing on how to be the best version of himself, and he extends that same dedication to anyone that walks into his office or classroom. "It's just so great to watch my students pursue their goals and succeed," he shares. "Following along with their growth and their achievements is the most amazing thing."

Whoever said that math and culture can't mix? For one COC professor, the two are interconnected, and she's made it her mission to spread the love of applied statistics, trigonometry, and algebra alongside the more artistic side of her personality. Professor Violeta Kovacev-Nikolic is a math professor here at the college. After experimenting with the world of physics in her early elementary school years, her love for math and teaching came together when she realized how much she enjoyed working with peers to solve problems and grasp some of the more difficult concepts being taught.

After graduating in 2007 with a double major in physics and mathematics, Kovacev-Nikolic decided to pursue a master’s in both applied mathematics and statistics, with the ultimate goal of achieving her Ph.D. in mathematics sometime in the future. Kovacev-Nikolic joined COC's faculty in Fall of 2014, she gradually became a full-time faculty member in the Fall of 2016 and has shared her love of the community college environment. “Teaching at a community college gives you more freedom in the classroom, and I feel like I’m making more of a difference here,” she shares. Kovacev-Nikolic intertwines her interests in math and the classroom with her hobbies and pursuits. On any given weekend, she can be found by her computer, searching for not only the latest news in education but for mini-adventures in which to embark.

At the moment, New Zealand is the destination she has her eyes on -- with its fascinating history and beautiful scenery, and she hopes to use some of her time outside of the busy classroom in the throes of New Zealand culture. Kovacev-Nikolic is also an avidly cultured fan of a wide variety of television shows, movies, and books -- so much so that she finds it impossible to name any favorites for fear of changing her mind only seconds later.

As a goal, Kovacev-Nikolic hopes to return to the classroom as a student sometime in the future. She's currently participating in courses within the Association of College and University Educators to develop her teaching abilities further. Perhaps the most positive side effect of her love of mathematics and culture is her ability to translate her pursuits into life lessons for all of her students. Interacting with students is the favorite aspect of her job, and she makes it a mission to uplift and encourage every student she comes in contact with, both in and out of the classroom. "I always tell them that it's all about hard work, discipline, and the growth mindset," she enthusiastically shares. "I believe if students can practice persistence in my classroom, they can take that attitude and apply it everywhere in the real world."

Perhaps the most relatable struggle in the college scene is that of being uncertain as to what the future holds for us. For Professor Robert Wonser of the Sociology department, it was the twists and turns of his educational journey that landed him in the sociology scene that he so fervently enjoys. After spending time studying computer applications, Business Administration, and even a stint in Marketing at CSUN, Wonser’s path towards a true career was marked by one particularly inspirational event -- or person, rather. One professor within his educational journey quietly ushered him into the world of sociology, and after realizing that there was far more enjoyment in pursuing this field over business or marketing, Wonser found himself quickly falling onto the path towards a Master’s in Sociology at CSUN.

Wonser first joined COC’s faculty in the Summer of 2006, and became a full-time instructor in the Spring of 2017. He now teaches a myriad of courses within the sociology department, including everything from the introductory level classes to the more in-depth classes surrounding modern day sociologic occurrences. “Teaching is extremely rewarding, and I believe that sociology in particular is especially eye-opening and useful,” Wonser shares in regards to why he chose the path that led him towards teaching. “It is so gratifying to get to introduce students to the power of sociology.” Outside of the classroom, Wonser is a self-proclaimed expert at procrastinating, which he jokingly categorizes as an asset in his “pro” column. On weekends, he can typically be found at home, reflecting on the ways in which sociology can be brought into the real-world arena. “Sociology is absolutely invaluable and extremely applicable to everyday life,” he says. For this professor, everything ties back to sociology, even if it’s not immediately apparent. In terms of advice and wisdom, Wonser hopes that all of his students leave his class knowing that they’ve got people on their side, and that it’s important to harness their knowledge and use it to learn even more.

Robert Wonser is all about sociology -- that much is true -- but he’s also about his students’ success, and the endless opportunities that become available when you relentlessly pursue your passion.

These are Dora Lozano's most important words of advice to her students as she sends them off into the world of higher education. For her, the most exciting part of it all is watching her students flourish and later share with her their journeys and how she played a role in their success. Such is the life of a counselor and instructor here at COC's counseling department. Having taught Counseling 150, 110, and a few other non-credit courses, Lozano's primary goal has been to guide students on their paths towards success.

Over the years, she's had more than enough opportunities to reflect on her position as a leader and mentor to so many. “I want my students to know that there are no limits except the ones that they put on themselves,” she shares earnestly. “When students transfer to a university and come back to see me, it’s the highest form of honor.” Counseling skills came naturally to Lozano, and despite a few snags along the way, she went on to get her Master's in Educational Counseling and jump right into the teaching field. She's been an instructor for over a decade, and she's made many meaningful connections with her students along the way. "My community college counselor was my inspiration for becoming a counselor," she says. "He was so kind and encouraging; he would listen, encourage, and advise, and I wanted to do the same thing for my students."

A community college education was a valuable part of her kids' lives, too. Her oldest attended COC and is now a student at San Francisco State University, and her youngest is a sophomore at Hart. Having a counselor and educator in your family is one of the best ways to ensure success in the world of higher education! At home, Lozano splits her time between her kids, road trips, roller skating, and hiking. Her list of favorite movies is long enough to keep her occupied for endless weekends, and an interesting side note to mention is her love for Christmas movies at any time of year. Though she spends much of her day around the "younger generation," she shares a bit of fascination with what exactly it takes to become a social media wizard, sharing she wishes she could instantly become a Youtube influencer as is the trend these days.

On her bucket list is the goal of getting a tattoo one day, as well as traveling to Fiji at least once. In terms of her more quirky hobbies, Lozano is an avid fan of roller skating and indoor rock climbing, which characterizes her as not only an athlete but a unique one at that. Over the years she’s spent here at COC, Lozano has made a real impact on her students -- that much is a given. But what's equally as important as the impact that they've had on her, too.

Tap dancing, U2, and Disneyland are just a few aspects of Professor Nicole Faudree’s personality that seem to contradict the profession she’s diligently thrown herself into.

As an instructor in the considerably serious field of law, Faudree finds it important to take a moment and enjoy the finer things in life when her profession allows for it -- and her pastimes likely come as a surprise to many of her colleagues and students alike. Faudree graduated with her law degree from Pepperdine University, and after passing the state BAR, she is now a licensed attorney in California. After participating in a student judiciary program at her undergrad university in Georgia, Faudree realized that she had far more than a passion for practicing law. In essence, she was destined to not only participate in it but teach it, too.

In regards to words of wisdom, Faudree makes it a point to encourage her students to understand the importance of family. Her top piece of advice is to remember that family is everything. On a more professional note, though, her advice tends to reflect her teachings within the classroom. “I want my students to know that when you’re informed about the law, no one can take advantage of you,” she says. Outside of the world of law, Faudree splits her time between traveling, Disneyland trips, and attending a wide variety of concerts. She cites Deadpool as the one movie that she can watch over and over again, and it, alongside her impressive ability to tap dance, is a fact that likely surprises many when they realize there is far more to Nicole Faudree than her dedication to justice and the law.

Faudree hopes to travel to New Zealand on her next global escapade, and she follows up this bucket list item with her desire to see U2 perform live in Dublin. As both a professor and a person, Faudree emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing the achievement of one’s dreams; whether it be in the classroom or in a courtroom, she hopes that her students can enact immediate change within any and all situations. “Being informed about the law is very empowering,” she emphasizes. “It’s so important to know your rights and know how the law works on your side.” Nicole Faudree is a proud grandmother, professor, wife, and attorney -- and in all the roles she plays, she never fails to share her love of law and family.

These are the words of wisdom that Theater Professor Chris Boltz has for his students. In the dynamic world of theater, Boltz has learned a thing or two about success, experimentation, and performing -- and now, it’s his goal to pass on his experience to everyone who steps foot in his classroom. Boltz graduated from the USC School of Theatre with a Master's in Fine Arts, and he specializes in lighting design specifically. He spent the last four years teaching at COC, but he's spent time at a myriad of other institutions, including Cypress College, Fresno City College, and USC's high school outreach programs.

From the very beginning, he knew he wanted to be involved in the world of theater design. After receiving countless lighting design assignments from his professors over the years, however, he realized that he was bringing something new to the table -- something that no one else could. Here at COC, he teaches Stagecraft, Technical Theatre I and II, Script Analysis, and, of course, Lighting Design. In terms of students and rewarding moments in the classroom, Boltz shares that his favorite part of teaching is watching students experience their own “light bulb moments.” "It's when a student suddenly realizes the knowledge and skills that they have, and they can apply those skills in a new, unique, and creative way," he says.

Outside of the theatre scene, Boltz's life is equally as dynamic and exciting. On the weekends, he spends his time training for marathons and songwriting at the piano. This hobby goes hand in hand with his desire to one day learn how to play every musical instrument out there. Outside of running, swimming, and composing, Boltz lists one of his bucket list goals as wanting to visit every Disney theme park in the world. However, it can be argued that for someone like him, the happiest place on earth is sitting in front of a piano or behind the scenes of a production. “Working in the entertainment industry brings new challenges every day,” he shares. “We’re always trying to find new ways to tell stories to an audience, and it all depends on us working as a team to create the best experience possible.”

There are few people luckier than those who get to pursue their passion and make a living for themselves while doing so. As an avid reader, writer, and teacher, Professor Alene Terzian has combined the best of her personal and professional hobbies into one successful career for herself as the Chair of the English Department here at COC. After obtaining her Bachelors of English at CSUN and her Masters of Fine Arts at Cal State Chico, later on, Terzian realized that she was born to teach — and lucky for her, her love of creative writing would mesh perfectly into her desire for sharing her knowledge with others. Terzian is currently working towards her E.D.D. at Arizona State University, which only stands as a testament to her unceasing desire to develop her skills as an educator to the fullest extent. In terms of her time here at COC, she joined the full-time faculty 18 years ago in 2002, but even before that, she was an adjunct professor at the college for a few years and split her time between COC and Moorpark.

As the current Chair of the English Department, Terzian has been allowed to involve herself in some of the significant changes that been taking place — a feat that she finds exciting and fulfilling at the same time. "I enjoy leading a department and working with others to figure out what's best," she says. At the moment, she teaches English 122, also known as Literary Magazine Production. Over the years, however, she's quite literally taught across the board -- before she was elected department chair, she taught almost every single class that the English department has ever had. Terzian cites her relationship with her students as the most important and rewarding aspect of her profession. "I want my students to challenge themselves and think outside of the constructs of what art is," she says. "I teach them not to be sheep and to think for themselves."

Hailing from Lebanon, Terzian shares her desire to one day become an expert in the Arabic language, though her interests branch out far further than her roots. At home, she spends time with her daughter and her husband, whom she met at a poker match -- an interesting love story! Alongside her affection for family time is her interest in reading, writing, and the arts as a whole. Terzian meets with a poetry workshop monthly as a way of extending her love of literature and creative writing even further than the reach of COC. To add even more uniqueness to this professor, she cites a bucket list goal of hers as traveling to Giraffe’s Manor in Kenya, a hotel that houses human and giraffe guests alike. Terzian's love for writing has blended seamlessly into her dedication to teaching. After nearly 20 years as a professor here at COC, the journey for her only grows more enjoyable as time passes.

“I’ve always had a passion for creative writing, and it’s wonderful that I get to teach what I love,” she says.

Basketball. Football. Tennis. Baseball.

The list of sports teams here at COC goes on and on, and at the end of the list, alongside the coaches and players, you’ll find Albert Loaiza, one of the athletic counselors here at COC. Though he operates off the field and up in the counseling department, his job is nonetheless crucial to ensuring the success of COC’s players inside of the classroom. Loaiza received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from San Bernardino and later earned his Master's in Counseling from the University of LaVerne in 2008.

From the beginning, he knew he wanted to be a part of the higher education system; the idea of helping students navigate the campus and college scene was appealing to him from the start. However, it wasn't until he learned more about community colleges in grad school that he started to consider the possibility of counseling in particular. "I love interacting with students and watching them develop into productive members of society," Loaiza shares earnestly. "I keep in touch with students, and watching them flourish is just such a great thing to experience as a counselor." It was during his internship at Citrus College that he started to develop a love for counseling in particular -- the impact he could have on students was enough to sway him into pursuing it as a full-time career. Now, after nine years at COC, he's learned how to teach students to speak up for themselves and understand what it takes to be successful in life.

"I always tell students that it's okay to reach out for help, and I coach them in terms of knowing who to go to help for, so they're always prepared," he says. "It's important for them to develop a voice for themselves -- to advocate for themselves." Unsurprisingly, Loaiza’s biggest love outside of counseling is his dedication to sports, alongside his family (which just recently welcomed a new addition -- a third boy!). Loaiza splits his time between baseball, softball, and other COC team games, but he’s also into surfing, paddleboarding, and virtually anything the beach has to offer. In terms of professional sports, the Angels and Lakers have his heart, though he’s a bit more lenient with his loyalty to any NFL teams. “I’m just a huge die-hard sports fan all around,” he says. “A goal of mine has always been to hit every baseball stadium and watch a game.” Albert Loaiza is a sports lover, a mentor, and a family man, and through it, all, his dedication and compassion for others remain solid, both on and off the field.

Whether or not we realize it, the role that art plays in our everyday lives is a significant one. As Professor Rebecca Edwards would say, art is how humans exercise critical thinking and how we learn to solve problems -- which is precisely why she decided to fully immerse herself in the world of art both professionally and personally. Edwards has spent much of her time developing a close connection to the world of art. After receiving her Masters of Fine Arts degree from California State University of Los Angeles, she realized that she was destined to pursue the world of art both in her personal life and her professional one as well. Her interest in teaching was sparked by her time at the High School for the Arts right here in Los Angeles, and she gradually expanded the scope of her teaching to include some time at Cal State L.A. as a professor. She joined COC as a full-time faculty member approximately 12 years ago, having spent many years reaping the benefits of community college teaching at Ventura Community College, Bakersfield Community College, and Cal State L.A.

“I always knew that I wanted to go to art school,” she says. “I love combining the experiences of creating art and teaching it to my students.” Edwards has spent over a decade at COC as a professor, and she’s taught every level of art instruction from Beginning Drawing to Sculpture I and II. Needless to say, she’s well-versed in all that art has to offer for her students.

Undoubtedly, her favorite part of being a professor is the ability to talk about, make, and teach art — everything about her profession allows her to enjoy the benefits of such a fascinating and exploratory field. The most rewarding aspect along the way has been watching her students make their own breakthroughs and follow their own paths to success. "I want my students to know that they shouldn't feel limited by what they think they know," she advises. "It's okay to not know everything because it's important for them to figure things out and put all the pieces of their journeys together for themselves." As an avid traveler, Edwards hopes to experience far more of the world than she already has, though she's already racked up an impressive 25 countries in her history of wanderlust. She makes it a point to take a significant trip with her husband at least every other year so they can experience all that the world has for them.

When she ventures outside of the classroom, her love of art doesn’t miss a beat -- she’s a professional artist in just the same way that she’s a dedicated professor. She spends her free time at the pool, in the library, or in her studio, though it goes without saying that many of her days are allotted to creativity in the form of her own full-time art creation. “I just want everyone to know that, whether or not you’re an art major, understanding the basics of art will help you,” she shares emphatically. “Art is all about solving problems.”

German. English. French. Japanese. Spanish. Italian.

Across the spectrum of languages, professor Pierre Etienne has familiarized himself with the world of possibilities that come with being multilingual, and after almost 40 years of teaching, he grows more and more appreciative of culture every with every passing day. Etienne completed his undergraduate work at Middlebury College in Vermont and received his Baccalauréat degree at the Lycée Charlemagne in Paris. Though the study of languages has always been a passion of his, it wasn’t until his time as a graduate student at Tufts University in Boston that he realized his path was leading him towards a career in teaching. His first ever class as a teaching assistant led him to realize that his passion for learning languages could quite literally be translated into his love for teaching.

Etienne has been a professor at COC for 20 years – this comes, of course, after having taken classes at UCLA and the Japanese Cultural Center in his endless pursuit of language development. Here at COC, Etienne has taught every single French class that the college has to offer, as well as a Humanities course at the 100 level, and the French 150 course every other year as part of the “Summer in Paris” program. “The best part of my profession is the the exchange of ideas and experiences that I have with my students,” Etienne shares, emphatically expressing his disdain for online teaching. “The best part of my study – languages – is that it allows me to communicate with people from all over and discover the world.” As a professor, Etienne works to ensure that his students leave his classroom with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to be an open-minded and engaged citizen of the world. For him, everything is about exploring and the never-ending pursuit of knowledge and experience alongside culture. Off campus, Etienne spends time with his wife perusing The New York Times, and he makes it a point to expand upon his culinary palate by including a mix of food from countries all over the world. A testament to this is his love of Amandine, a French-Japanese-Korean café that he and his wife frequent in Los Angeles.

Traveling, reading, writing, swimming, and cooking are just a few of Etienne’s interests. He also collects dice and smoking paraphernalia for aesthetic purposes, and in terms of the future, he’s plann’s planning to place even more of an emphasis on his traveling bucket list, including Buenos Aires, Portugal, Senegal, and Antarctica – yes, Antarctica (before it melts, of course)! Needless to say, this professor has racked up an impressive cultural resume, and he has many plans for the future when it comes to expanding upon his worldly experiences. “I often tell my students that I have no wisdom but lots of experience,” he says. “I believe that you should take your work and other people seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” And as for the last piece of life advice that he has to offer. “Get a passport!”

Julie Jacobson, a full-time academic counselor and psychology instructor, literally grew up at College of the Canyons. As a toddler she attended COC’s Early Childhood Education program while her mother worked at the college. A few decades and two college degrees later, Jacobson returned.

Inspired by her mother’s long career in education, Jacobson always had a passion for helping professions, including counseling, teaching and motivating others to reach their potential. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies and a multiple-subject teaching credential from California State University Chico as well as a Master of Arts degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. Soon after earning her degrees, she was back in Santa Clarita teaching fifth grade. While she found great satisfaction teaching children, she began to consider other possibilities.

“Initially I thought I could only handle younger students, but after having an opportunity to work with teenagers and adults, I realized that I enjoy teaching any age student.” She took an adjunct position as counselor in COC’s counseling department and also started teaching psychology classes at COC and Antelope Valley College. In 2014 she became part of the full-time faculty at COC.

As a counselor and psychology professor, Jacobson gets to learn a lot about people. “I absolutely love working with all types of individuals. I especially enjoy getting to know their backgrounds and culture,” she said. Her desire to help all students improve their success and attain their academic goals, drives her passion for counseling and teaching. Her approach as a counselor and instructor centers on helping motivate students in a way that encourages them to develop a growth mindset and increases persistence.

She is the lead counseling instructor for a class called “Learning to Learn,” which helps foster motivation, teaches students how the brain works, and offers strategies for being a successful student. “It is important that students understand that challenges they face, including setbacks in life or learning disabilities, does not define one’s potential.” She finds it extremely gratifying to have a job that enables her to witness students grow – academically and socially – as they attain goals they may have thought were once out of their reach.

Personally, Jacobson is constantly challenging herself by setting goals that are attainable through small steps. One of her triumphs was trekking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2013, an accomplishment worth boasting about.

Jacobson welcomes the continued learning she experiences while working as a counselor and collaborating with fellow colleagues across multiple disciplines at COC.

Jacobson welcomes the continued learning she experiences while working as a counselor and collaborating with fellow colleagues across multiple disciplines at COC. 

What turns the shyest kid in the class into an award-winning public speaker and coach? For COC Professor and Speech Team Coach Michael Leach it was a Moorpark Community College professor.

During his first year at Moorpark College, Leach’s speech professor had the college’s speech team perform for the class. That one presentation began the shift that is now the focus of his career. “I thought I wanted to be an attorney,” Leach reflected. That was until he discovered his passion for public speaking and teaching others how to be an effective presenter.

While washing windows to support himself, Leach would spend hours mentally perfecting his speeches; an effort that paid off as he earned multiple national gold medals in public address and acting. “There were students on my team that had more talent and experience,” he said. “For me it was hard work and perseverance to attain success.”

From Moorpark College he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from CSU Northridge and a Master of Arts in communications studies from CSU Los Angeles. After attaining six national titles, including top speaker in America, Leach decided he wanted to do what his coaches had done: create an award-winning team and help students gain skills that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives.

He began teaching adults who were returning to school after years away, many of whom were decades older then he was. It ignited his enthusiasm for teaching. After teaching part-time at several southern California colleges, he joined College of the Canyons’ full-time faculty in 2005 and became the speech team coach. Under his direction the team has received 55 state and national medals. He attributes much of that success to the unique approach he takes to guiding his students. “We focus on the building blocks to not only assembling a great speech, but telling a story,” he said.

In the classroom and on the stage, he endeavors to help students attain the skills they need to land their dream job, negotiate anything, hear their names after “and the winner is…” or simply ask someone out. “Students tell me all the time that they have been able to use the strategies they learned in a speech class or while on our team,” he noted.

Leach understands the power of an instructor that introduces students to new ideas and new opportunities and empowers them to do things that they never imagined doing. For him, that one class taken during his first year in a community college set the stage for a career he loves.

If there were one word to define how Professor Cindy Stephens approaches her life, it would be “perseverance.” A child development instructor since 1992, Stephens encourages students to push through the challenging times (like the last couple of weeks of the semester) and stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel (like graduation).

She always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but her mom told her she “should get a job where she could support herself.” While taking secretarial classes at a community college, she enrolled in a child development class. “I was inspired!” she said. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in child development and a Master of Science degree in counseling from CSU Northridge, Stephens thought she would pursue a career in child therapy, but found herself on a different path: teaching adults about teaching children.

As an instructor, she places high expectations on her students. She believes that a commitment to excellence – and the perseverance that comes with it – is how people attain their true potential.

In 2010 while many students and instructors were enjoying a well-deserved break from the rigors of the semester, Stephens was celebrating her 50th birthday by bicycling across the country. Starting in San Francisco, she spent 52 days making her way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, enduring heat, rain, strong winds and hail along the way. About half way through the ride in Kansas, she began to wonder if she had the tenacity to complete the trip. “My then-girlfriend, Denise, who flew to Kansas to see me, brought just the encouragement I needed to get back on my bike and finish what I started.” Denise and Stephens have since gotten married.

If an almost 4,000-mile bike ride isn’t enough to demonstrate perseverance, Stephens also has completed the L.A. Marathon and two half marathons. What’s more, the training for the L.A. Marathon began just weeks after having knee surgery. She trained for that one as part of an AIDS Project LA team in honor of a friend she lost to the disease. She was one of the top fundraisers for the Team to End AIDS, an accomplishment of which she’s rightfully proud.

Stephens knows what it feels like to want to give up when the going gets tough. She understands that reaching one’s goals – such as getting a college education – can be difficult and discouraging. She also knows that working hard and persevering pays off in the end. “When something is handed to you, it’s not that rewarding,” she said. “But when you work for it, you not only understand the value of what you’ve accomplished; you also realize how much more you’re capable of than previously thought.”