Meet the Professors

“CLC offers so much more than cost savings. I’ve received an excellent education that’s a good stepping stone to my goal of becoming a marriage counselor.”

Alexa Laird

A.A. ’14, transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

“CLC is such a welcoming environment for international students. Within my first year here, I was helping other international students as a student ambassador.”

Cindy Osorio

International student, TESOL certificate, 2014.

“I rediscovered my love of chemistry at CLC. My professor was such a great teacher and passionate about chemistry that it was easy to go to class and learn.”

Fanni Lakatos

College of Lake County ’14, transferring to Purdue University.

“CLC has absolutely played a role in changing my educational and career goals. I had space to explore different fields and talk to many knowledgeable people about careers and opportunities.”

Hannah Woods

A.S. ’13, majoring in materials science and engineering, with minors in chemistry and Spanish, at Purdue University.

“I loved my education courses. The professors bring a lot of experiences into their classrooms, and everything we learn builds from class to class.”

Itzel Hernandez

A.A., ’14, transferring to National Louis University.

“格雷斯莱克校区的护理技能实验室很棒，因为设备与护士在工作中使用的类似。The clinicals were also great hands-on learning experiences, and the CLC instructors have a great relationship with area hospitals and clinics.”

Jennifer Behl

ER nurse; College of Lake County '10; University of Illinois-Chicago '15.

“我很喜欢园艺系的所有老师，尤其是他们的专业知识和实践工作经验。我上的所有课程都与我的职业选择有关。”

Joanne Gerlach

Returning adult student, landscape and design.

“CLC在伯利兹的实地学校是我第一次正式接触人类学和考古学。学校的实地考察旅行是深入了解你可能考虑的领域的好方法。”

Juliet Brophy, Ph.D.

Paleoanthropologist at Louisiana State University.

“Really get to know your professors; they are the ones who will write you a letter of recommendation in a few years, so keep in touch with them.”

Kendall Welton

A.A., ’14, transferring to Concordia University to study nursing.

“The business expertise and management advice from my small business advisor has been extremely helpful from our first meeting and to this day. He has helped me create a clear vision for the future of my company and a detailed action plan to execute it.”

Laura Castillo

Owner, Felix's Famous Cookies.

“汽车技术项目的班级规模比竞争对手的学校要小。这真的很重要，因为它可以提供更多的实践经验和更好的教育质量。”

Luis Bettasso

汽车技术的学生;打算在16年拿到全美学生奖。

“College is the best decision I ever made. As a senior at Zion-Benton High School, I received a scholarship to CLC. I thought, “This is an opportunity.””

Marcelo Vega

A.A., certificate in wellness coaching, ‘14.

“The entire Illinois SBDC International Trade Center staff is an invaluable resource – always available, honest and thorough. If there is a subject outside their realm, they have a network of referrals who are experienced in that field.”

Meg Dhamer

Owner, Pigtale Twist.

“The Truck Driver Training course built my confidence and really prepared me well for a successful career in this field.”

Michael Hopf

Completed Truck Driver Training Program.

“在伊利诺伊大学的第一学期，我的GPA达到了3.8。CLC为我在世界上最顶尖的工程学院之一上课做了很好的准备。”

Nitin Tangellamudi

CLC 2014-15; now an industrial engineering major at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

“I chose CLC’s Small Business Development Center for guidance and help meeting people who have already gone through the process of starting a business. They are a great team of experts to have on my side.”

彼得·凯瑞斯语

Entrepreneur, owner of Aristaeus Specialty Foods, LLC.

“I became the first community college student accepted as an intern at a newsroom in Erie, Penn., thanks to my experiences on The CLC Chronicle and working with Professor Kupetz. That first internship opened many doors for me.”

Rose Anne De Leon

College of Lake County, ’07; B.A., Northeastern Illinois University ’10, now a copy editor for Shaw Media.

“I am currently working part-time as a paralegal while enrolled as a full-time student in Roosevelt University’s Paralegal Studies program. If I had not received the education I had from CLC, I would not have the part-time job.”

Sally E. Fleissner

A.A.S., Paralegal Studies, ’13; now working on a bachelor’s degree at Roosevelt University.

“What I like especially about the mechatronics classes is the hands-on learning and the helpful instructors who want you to succeed. We also went on field trips to companies, where we got a chance to see practical, real-world examples of ideas such as building and maintaining assembly lines.”

Samara Giron

机电一体化技术的学生;计划2016年考取证书。

“CLC is super well-rounded and excels at pretty much everything it does. It's really cool to know that no matter what you want, you have a strong chance at success at CLC.”

Scott Segel

海军老兵，现在在攻读网络管理/安全专业的学士学位。

“The course prepared me for a veterinary assistant job and the externship was a great part of the reason I felt prepared.”

Staci Mattson

Completed Veterinary Assistant Program, Spring 2013.

“CLC is a melting pot; a microcosm of America. The students come from so many different backgrounds and contexts, that you learn almost as much from your classmates as you do from your courses.”

Stephen Cartwright

A.A., ’11; BA, Trinity International University, ‘13.

“Margie Porter, who is chair of the mechatronics technology program, understands the challenge of juggling a job, college courses and raising a family. She helps you build your self-confidence in learning the material.”

Tijuana Ewing

Certificate in mechatronics technology, '15.

“One great part of CLC's hospitality and culinary management program is the opportunity to put together a portfolio of your work. It teaches you how to be organized and professional, and it's a great thing to carry into a job interview.”

Victoria Moran

A.A.S., hospitality and culinary management, '15; plans to earn an A.A.S. in baking and pastry arts in '16 and become a baker.

“I believe that everyone in a classroom serves as a teacher and a student. I take pride in knowing that all of our communication courses have the potential to be life-changing experiences for our students.”

Fred Gifford

Instructor, communication

“To create the 'a-ha' moment in my public speaking classes, I set the pace from day one, creating an environment in which my students will feel safe and comfortable.”

Lynn Harper

Instructor, communication

“I use many different teaching methods, including: journaling, readings, oral quizzes, in-class and out-of-class activities, role plays, group discussion, media, group work and providing many examples.”

Cindu Thomas-George

Instructor, communication

“Whether teaching online or onsite, I encourage active discussions in which students interact with each other as well as the course material.”

Amanda Cash

Instructor, English

“When assigning papers, I encourage my students to choose their subjects carefully. If students can write about a subject about which they are passionate, they will write better papers.”

Patrick Gonder

Instructor, English

“Looking back, I had instructors who helped me to see and appreciate the joy, wonder and mystery that exists in the world all around me-whether it is in nature, science and people, or in stories, essays and poetry. I try to do the same thing for my students.”

Mike Latza

Instructor, English

“我教书，是因为我想帮助学生们想象更好的生活。当他们这样做的时候，他们将能够为我们所有人想象一个更美好的世界。这很酷。”

Vasilka Maslanka

Instructor, English

“I knew that I wanted to be a college instructor when I was an undergrad student at UCLA. I would come out of my English classes thrilled with the possibilities that language and literature created.”

Tamara Wolff

Instructor, English

“I find it gratifying when I stimulate the students' minds and to see how they go beyond what we do in class; some decide to pursue the subject as a future career. It is very rewarding to know that I can make a difference in students' lives.”

Olivia Yanez

Instructor, Spanish

“I enjoy seeing my students learn and grow in their skills, knowledge, confidence, dedication and their passion for making a difference in the lives of young children and their families.”

Diane Wolter

Instructor, early childhood/elementary education

“I assess myself by the quality of the engineer that I turn out. Often, I am contacted by students who say that their job requires all of those things they complained about having to learn during the program, and that they appreciate me for not backing down.”

Michelle Leonard

Instructor, electrical engineering technology

“I maintain an open, questioning environment that encourages all reasonable experiments. In addition, I interweave real-world experiences and practical life skills with the subject material.”

Bill Kellerhals

Instructor, laser/photonics/optics

“My main goal is to connect with students in a way that motivates them to learn the material deeply, not just to pass a test. And I really enjoy getting to know students on a personal basis and helping them along the path to being an engineer.”

Rob Twardock

Instructor, engineering

“作为一名工程教育工作者，我处在一个独特的位置:我在教育那些将创造和使用今天不存在的技术的人。”

Jan Edwards

Instructor, engineering

“I want to pass to my students my clinical knowledge and abilities to help them to be the best clinician they can be. My goal is to change their lives for the better.”

Kimberly Aichele

Instructor, dental hygiene

“My goal is not only to teach the necessary skills involved in treating patients, but to create meaningful experiences where students can grow and develop into true professionals.”

Mary Jacobs

Instructor, dental hygiene

“I want to prepare graduates to be compassionate, critical-thinking professionals who are committed to life-long learning and promote health and the prevention of disease.”

Sue Nierstheimer

Instructor, dental hygiene

“教学不仅仅是传递知识。我真心希望学生们在生活和职业上都能取得成功。”

Margaret Kyriakos

Instructor, health information technology

“我采用了各种各样的教学方法，包括多媒体技术、基于问题的学习和动手/体验活动。”

Joana Pabedinskas

Instructor, health and wellness promotion

“I emphasize that professional nursing education is a continuous, life-long learning process.”

Dunia Iordan

Instructor, nursing

“I love the chance to create special places that people enjoy, and leaving behind work that will grow and evolve with time.”

Rory Klick

Instructor, horticulture

“我试图分享我的热情、技能和经验，帮助学生们学习技能、技术、概念和团队合作，这样他们不仅为毕业做好准备，而且为在酒店行业工作做好准备。”

Teresa Novinska

Instructor, hospitality and culinary management

“Helping put students in a position to make a difference in others' lives - that's what makes my job so rewarding.”

Mick Cullen

Instructor, human services

“I am passionate about inspiring new students to understand and embrace the rapidly changing knowledge base in the substance-use fields, particularly as it relates to new brain science, strength-based approaches for treatment and evidence-based practices.”

Janet Mason

Instructor, human services

“I love seeing students' minds expand throughout the semester. The students transform through applying philosophical theories and concepts to their own lived experiences.”

Shanti Chu

Instructor, philosophy

“My most memorable teaching experience is to observe a student enter the program with a specific career goal in mind, and after hard work in our program, obtain a specific job working for the company of his or her dreams.”

Jeffrey Hines

Instructor, machine tool trades

“I want to help students become problem solvers in the computer information technology field.”

John North

Instructor, computer information technology

“Teaching allows me to have a profound and lasting positive effect upon the professions in the criminal justice system, especially law enforcement. I enjoyed being a police officer very much, and I strive to pass on my love for the profession through my teaching.”

Chris Utecht

Instructor, criminal justice

“While attending high school, I joined my community's rescue squad, and I soon realized that firefighting and rescue work was my calling in life. It's been rewarding to help people who are experiencing some of the worst days of their life.”

Randy Justus

Instructor, fire science technology/emergency management

“My main goal is to help students understand and appreciate that education is a way of life rather than a journey to a job.”

Lorri Scott

Instructor, legal studies

“What excites me most about teaching is that I get to witness, time and time again, the transformation from student to polished professional.”

Gayle Miller

Instructor, legal studies

“When I was a CLC student, it was such a great experience because the teachers really care about the students. I decided I wanted to teach biology at a community college, and I still can't believe that I am here. It truly is a dream come true.”

Jason Cashmore

Instructor, biology

“我告诉我的学生，我是成功的，不是当他们上完我的课，而是当我听说他们从一个联合健康项目毕业时。”

Elisabeth Martin

Instructor, biology

“I consider the needs of students every time I plan activities and goals for class. As a result, I utilize multiple teaching strategies, from lecture to a small-group critical thinking activity. In addition, I set and communicate high expectations and teach students how to successfully reach these goals.”

Bob Remedi

Instructor, biology

“To create the 'aha' moment in students, I always try to connect classroom topics to common life experiences and use labs and demonstrations to reinforce lectures. One learns more by doing than by hearing.”

Jeanne Simondsen

Instructor, chemistry

“I try to relate course concepts directly to real life. For example, there are real-time weather discussions in my meteorology classes, where students see how the course material applies directly to the weather that affects their lives.”

Eric Priest

Instructor, earth science

“Teaching is not just about sharing knowledge, but - most importantly - inspiring students and helping them become life-long learners.”

Xiaoming Zhai

Instructor, geology

“我的主要目标是帮助学生深入理解我们正在学习的基本概念，并超越公式的记忆。”

Jeffrey Andrews

Instructor, mathematics

“My main goal is to reduce the number of people who say, 'I'm not good at math.'”

Kimberly Boyke

Instructor, mathematics

“Mathematics is so much easier to understand when you concentrate on learning concepts, not memorizing procedures. In my classes, we ask and seek answers questions like, 'What does this mean?' and 'Why does this make sense?'”

Donna Carlson

Instructor, mathematics

“I teach using guided notes and a tablet laptop in order to keep students engaged. Writing on a tablet instead of the chalkboard or whiteboard allows me to face my class, so I can see their reactions and more easily promote discussion.”

Amy Curry

Instructor, mathematics

“My philosophy of teaching can be summed up by, 'Meet students where they are. Help them move forward.'”

Tracey Hoy

Instructor, mathematics

“A student who transferred to Northern Illinois University and took calculus classes there emailed me to thank me for teaching her to be a more prepared student and to learn math throughout the entire semester, instead of cramming.”

Scott Reed

Instructor, mathematics

“My passion for cars started when I was a young boy, holding a drop light for my dad as he worked on the family car. As time went on, I grew up and my Hot Wheels® cars just got bigger and faster.”

Octavio Cavazos

Instructor, automotive collision repair

“CLC students are trying to be somebody, to make a difference. I want to understand their needs and help them to get the most out of their time here.”

Lance David

Instructor, automotive technology

“I'm fascinated with economics' application to everyday life. When we make decisions related to purchases, or when we make choices about what we will do with our time and resources, it relates to the field of economics.”

Tonitta White

Instructor, economics

“In my classes, students learn that history is not a set of static facts, but a dynamic and active process of interpretation.”

David Groeninger

Instructor, history

“History explains the world to us. CLC offers many opportunities for faculty and students to travel widely in the world. My travels in Jordan, the Netherlands and in several other countries have broadened my experience and helped me to be a better teacher.”

Josie Faulk

Instructor, history

“I seek to make connections between course content and students' lives and to build relationships with and among students in the classroom. Students flourish when working together toward a common goal and when they realize that they can rely on their peers and professors for support and information.”

Nora Benjamin

Instructor, psychology

“I cannot compete with a smartphone in terms of overall information. Consequently, my teaching objective is not just to disseminate information, which students can get from a variety of sources, but rather to assist students in applying this information in real-world situations.”

Martha Lally

Instructor, psychology

“I'm fascinated by psychology's mystery as well as its different explanations, theories and philosophical assumptions about human nature. Perhaps most important, the field has the potential to help people live better.”

Evan Finer

Instructor, psychology

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to help students navigate college and make decisions that will have a lasting impact on their lives and families.”

Frederic Hutchinson

Instructor, sociology

“I want my students to be able to recognize the extent to which society influences most of what we do and think, but that we can also change the course of society. To achieve this goal, I often provide a range of different examples and activities. ”

Sonia Oliva

Instructor, sociology

“I believe my students should be active participants in the learning process, and the material should be directly connected to their outside experiences. At the end of the semester, I hope they leave with the belief that they can change the world!”

Suzanne Pryga

Instructor, sociology

“利用系谱学和流行文化，我可以让学生利用他们知道的东西(他们的家族史;最喜欢的电视节目或电影)。”

John Tenuto

Instructor, sociology