Santa Rosa Junior College recently staffed 23 new and transitioning faculty members to full-time positions. At SRJC, our student body comes from diverse cultural and personal backgrounds, so naturally, our faculty members have experience from a myriad of colleges, universities and career paths to successfully represent this wide demographic. Which of your new professors scuba dives in their free time, wrote a novel, served in Vietnam or had a crush on David Cassidy as a girl? From the colleges they attended to their favorite TV series, The Oak Leaf will profile the new faculty across two articles with revealing answers to a series of simple questions.

 

Albert Yu

Business

 

1. Education background.

MBA, University of Hawaii at Manoa

B.S. Hotel Administration, Cornell University

2. Experience.

Part time teaching experience at Mission College, Le Cordon Bleu and International Culinary Center. Fifteen years of hotel industry experience in sales and marketing at the Four Seasons, Hyatt, and Starwood.

3. Impression of SRJC?

Amazing community, great students, beautiful campus

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

Get involved with as many activities as you can. Get out there and make friends with your classmates!

5. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

I’d live in the 60s in San Francisco

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

I like hiking, golf, tennis and Chinese culture.

7. Favorite TV series?

Treme; I love New Orleans and live music.

 

Corinna McClure

Health Sciences-Dental Hygiene

1) Education background.

I attended Rio Salado School of Dental Hygiene and received my Associate Degree in 1999.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene was completed in 2010 at Northern Arizona University.

Currently writing my thesis to complete my Master in Dental Hygiene with an emphasis on Education from the University of Bridgeport, Fones School of Dental Hygiene.

2) Experience.

Began my teaching experience in Dental Hygiene with Mesa Community College, Mesa Arizona. After two years I relocated to California and was happy to obtain an adjunct position with Cabrillo College in Aptos Calif., where I was in my fourth year of teaching when I was offered the position at SRJC.

3) What is your impression of SRJC?

My impression of SRJC is that it is a beautiful campus that offers students great educational opportunities, whether they are looking for a certificate, two year or transfer degree. As far as an instructor/employee, I am very impressed with the time and effort put into the new faculty orientation program. In my opinion it shows how much you are valued as a part of the JC family.

4) If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

Well, if I had been in college when I was younger, I probably would have finished my Masters degree long ago (lets just say my kids are teens to early 20s in age, and I am a grandma!) So being a late bloomer I would say this: Do not miss the opportunities that a college education provides, no matter what your age. Although I would recommend starting earlier rather than later!

5) If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

If I could live in any time period I would have to choose a good 1000 years into the future. It would be interesting to see how we evolve, and I do not believe in living in the past.

6) Do you have any unique hobbies?

I don’t know if it qualifies as unique, but I love to scuba dive.

7) Favorite TV series? Why?

The original BBC series Torchwood. Maybe I have a thing for the future?

 

Sarah Jones

English

1. Education.

UC Davis undergrad, UC Santa Barbara graduate school.

2. Experience.

Full time at University of Southern Colorado, before coming to SRJC as an adjunct 10 years ago.

3. What is your impression of SRJC?

Great place to work with wonderful, dedicated and talented faculty.

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

Get to know classmates and set up study groups. Everything is easier to learn when you can bounce ideas off a friend.

5. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

Now!

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

I swim a lot and was the fasted 400 IM swimmer in my age group in pacific Masters Swimming last year.

7. Favorite TV series? Why?

Star Trek. I like how it makes being smart look cool. I also like the strong female role models.

Hal Sanford

Communication Studies

1. Education.

Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University and Juris Doctor from University of Southern California.

2. Experience

 

I am, or have been, a parent, communication studies teacher, speech and debate coach, civil litigation attorney, law clerk for L.A Superior Court Judges, miniature model maker for movies/TV/music videos, author (The Illustrated Modelaholic – A Guide to Modeling Enjoyment), furniture mover, food processor and water welder manufacturing bomb fuses for the US military. Seriously.

3. What is your impression of SRJC?

Delightful. It’s been heaven on earth for 20 years. While SRJC is one of the most stunning campuses in the country, its people are its most beautiful asset. Students, staff, faculty, and administration are simply superb .

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college,
what advice would you give yourself?

It’s OK to teach. Seriously, you will love it. Give it a chance. It’s a ski- billion times more fun that being an attorney. Also, senior year, leave two minutes earlier to go see the King Tut exhibition at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. If you leave any later, you’ll be in the first group to be stopped from exhibit entry because it will sell out and then return to Egypt.

5.)If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

Now. “Living in the Past” is a bad Jethro Tull album and the future is too uncertain. I’ll stay in the present, always.

 

6.)Do you have any unique hobbies?

I build and paint miniatures, like planes figures and vehicles. If I were a gladiator, my name would be, Geek-us Maximus!

7.)Favorite TV series? Why?

That would be “Big Bang Theory” because it’s funny and smart. I like funny and smart. Bazinga! Not! Truly, I love it.

 

Ezbon Jen

Health Sciences

1. Education.

BA and MA in biology; MPH (master in public health), MSEd (master in education), DrPH (Doctor of Public Health); TA in anatomy, physiology, microbiology in college; full time professor in public health, teaching masters and doctoral students; taught physiology, microbiology, nutrition at community colleges, including SRJC; served as a health education consultant for United States Department of States Agency for International Development (US/AID); was health sciences dean at SRJC for 21 years.

2. Experience

Served as a field medic in Vietnam for 14 months; served as public health education director and county health administrator for four rural counties; served on boards of several local hospitals and non-profit organizations; served as advisor for PTK Honor Society, Rotaract Club (service club) and two former campus clubs: pre-medical club and global health club.

3. What is your impression of
SRJC?

Quality, quality and quality in academics, students, grounds and facilities! Beautiful collegiate gothic style of architecture.

4. If you were to speak to your
younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

Please get involved with student government and community projects.

5.If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

The WWII period as an adult: “the greatest generation”

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

I like to coordinate health projects in underserved countries; photography.

7.Favorite TV series? Why?

English detective series: Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, CSIs—I like to figure things out.

 

Michael Hale

English

1.Education.

I have a BA and MA from Cal State Northridge in English, and I am just about to finish my PhD at Bowling Green State University in American Culture Studies.

2.Experience.

I have 7-years of experience as an adjunct community college teacher.

3. What is yourImpression of SRJC?

Santa Rosa Junior College is a wonderful place to work and study.

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

You should spend more time networking with important people in your major, reading academic journals focused on your area of study, and being involved in student groups that give you an opportunity to make friends while doing important volunteer work.

5. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

There is no better time than right now.

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

I enjoy cooking.

7.Favorite TV series? Why?

I rarely watch TV. When I do, I enjoy cooking shows.

 

Michelle Van Aalst

English

1. Education.

Bachelor’s – Journalism; Master’s – English, both from Humboldt State

2. Experience.

Two years in Niigata, Japan, JET program; one year in Chollanamdo, Korea, EPIK program; three years, part-time faculty, College of the Redwoods; nine years full-time faculty, College of the Siskiyous.

3. What is your impression of SRJC?

I am continuously inspired by the enthusiasm of the people here – I am surrounded by such a love of learning – by my colleagues and my students. Passion and curiosity are contagious.

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell myself to be more conscious and mindful about my specific goals – to know what one wants, even if it changes, is such an important thing; you have to be moving toward something.

5. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

This is such a hard question because there are so many factors, so I will leave it to aesthetics only: definitely the early 60s…the fashion, the furniture, and the music.

6.Do you have any unique hobbies?

Hmm, unique no. Dangerous, perhaps – I love to bake. If I could, I would bake every day. I don’t know if I’m all that good, but I just love making cakes and cookies.

7. Favorite TV series? Why?

When I used to have a television, my favorite series was The Sopranos. The characters and the storylines are so developed, and even though Tony, played so beautifully by the late James Gandolfini, is such a thug, I cannot help but sympathize with him and his struggles.

Anne Marie Insull

English

1.Education.

St. Mary’s College, English BA

UC Berkeley, California Teaching Credential in English

Sonoma State University, English MA

2. Experience.

16 years of teaching high school English in California and in England

10 years of “freeway” flying at the JC, Sonoma State, College of Marin, and Solano Community College.

3. What is your impression of SRJC?

 

I love this school. The students are lively and engaging and the campus itself is gorgeous. One of the other things that really impress me about the JC is the positive atmosphere that pervades every aspect of the culture here. It doesn’t matter if I’m dealing with bookstore clerks, librarians, the people in human resources, janitorial staff or faculty: they are competent, kind and happy to be here. Believe me, it’s not like that in every college. I feel so lucky to be a part of this place.

4. If you were to speak to your
younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

I’d quote Shakespeare who said, “Study what you most affect.” If you study what you love, it will take you to all the right places and to all the right people.

5. If you could live in any time
period, what would it be?

I wouldn’t trade places with anyone in another time period; however, if I could visit another time and place, it would be Victorian England. Almost all my favorite writers belong to the 19th century. It would be so interesting to walk around and actually see and hear what I’ve only been able to imagine in books.

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

I don’t know if it would be considered unique, and I don’t have time to do it often, but I enjoy jigsaw puzzles. I find it therapeutic to start with a mess of pieces and end with a completed picture. And the quiet concentration of it mimics meditation.

7. Favorite TV series? Why?

The Partridge Family! I had a huge crush on David Cassidy when I was a girl.

 

Scott Snyder

Public Safety

1. Education.

I have a BS from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY and my paramedic training at the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Health Science Center in Syracuse, NY. I’m a native New Yorker, and moved to San Francisco in 2008.

2. Experience.

I have been active in EMS for 20 years this September, and have been a paramedic for 17 of those years. I have been a teacher since 1998 and have held faculty positions at SUNY Upstate Health Science Center and SUNY Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY. I still work as a paramedic for AMR Sonoma Life Support here in Santa Rosa. I publish frequently, and have a monthly column in EMS World Magazine.

3. What is your impression of SRJC?

So far so GREAT! SRJC has proven to be a resource-rich environment where I can really grow as an educator.

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

Don’t feel like you have to know exactly what you want to do with your life right now. Get out. Try lots of different things. Every time you try something and say to yourself “this is not what I want to do,” you are one step closer to finding that thing that motivates and inspires you.

5. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

Right now.

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

Not really! My hobbies are pretty normal… cycling, surfing, backpacking, anything outdoors.

7. Favorite TV series? Why?

My favorite series is still The Wire, I still watch reruns. Why? Because Omar is one of the greatest characters ever created.

Joanie Dybach

Administration of Justice

1.Education.

BA and MS in Criminal Justice; JD.

2.Experience.

Worked as a correctional officer, probation/parole officer and as an attorney. Taught part time in Solano County for a few years before going Full time in Oregon for seven years … then to here.

3.What is your impression of SRJC?

Love it! Professional – yet fun. Everyone is helpful; the students are intriguing; and love the diversity. The campus has so much life!

4.If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

It will all make sense someday!

 

5.If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

I’m thinking … a pioneer woman!

6.Do you have any unique hobbies?

My passion is traveling to places off the beaten paths, experiencing new cultures and shopping street markets for unique handmade items.

7. Favorite TV series? Why?

Criminal Minds. Characters are intense, cases are interesting (and often based on real cases) and I find human behavior fascinating. And usually anything on NatGeo!

Diane Donnelly

Health Sciences

1. Education.

ADN degree from College of Marin; MSN with Clinical Nurse Leader focus from USF. RN for 27 years working in home infusion and adjunct teaching for SRJC ADN program for the past 5 years.

 

2. Experience.

During my RN career, I have been teaching patients and nurses; began teaching nursing students 5 years ago in the SRJC ADN skills lab and clinical hospital setting. Went to grad school for advanced degree – MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader to gain knowledge/skills to be an effective nursing educator and qualify for regular faculty position to add theory lecture and coordinator roles to my teaching spectrum.

 

3. What is your impression of SRJC?

Very nurturing and giving environment promoting student success with energetic college and community support.

4. If you were to speak to your younger self in college, what advice would you give yourself?

To reach out to academic counseling to identify the most appropriate core classes and not enroll for courses that are on a traditional track. To avoid classes that aren’t necessary and recognize opportunities to drop classes before drop date to avoid weak scores as part of GPA. GPA is clearly very important in applying for grad school and maintaining a higher GPA opens up more opportunities in qualifying for grad school programs and attending grad programs that are more affordable.

5. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

During the Edwardian era 1910-1920

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

Not sure if they are “unique”? – Italian cooking and learning the Italian language; theme dinner party planning, taking tea; attending or viewing national or international figure skating events.

7. Favorite TV series? Why?

Too many, but – “Downtown Abbey; love presentation of UK manor house living in Edwardian era; “Mad Men” – like to see the volatile era and the generation that brought me up – fascinating!