Career & Technology Menu
Career & Technology
| Office Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:00am - 12:00pm |
| Saturday - Sunday | Closed |
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Faculty and Staff
Staff
C & T staff members are committed to providing quality support for the diverse community we serve. The division values integrity in all interactions with students and the creation of opportunity from the educational process.
Full Time Faculty
The Career & Technology (C & T) division faculty are committed to providing quality learning opportunities for individuals in the diverse community we serve. The division values excellence and innovative instruction, integrity in all interactions with students and the creation of opportunity from the educational process.
Susan Cook
Accounting
Business Office Technology
Business Management
Christine Trapp
Allied Health
Public Health Serv.
Human Nutr. & Diet
Chemistry
Biology
Adjunct Faculty and Support Staff
Please see the following document for contact information for ALL C & T personnel.
Joyce Hill
Joyce Hill – Director of Assessment
I was born in Roswell, NM about the time the aliens left! I now live in La Luz, NM with my husband, two dogs, and one cat. I have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. I try to stay young by reading, exercising, watching TV and listening to satellite radio.
I have been in some form of public education since 1973. I started teaching as a middle school teacher; then taught 6th, 5th, and 4th grade. I went back to school when I was teaching and obtained a Diagnostician’s License with a specialty in Early Childhood. I was a preschool Diagnostician and facilitator for 10 years. Then I went back to school once again and obtained a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Special Education.
I have taught numerous college courses both face to face and online–ranging from EDUC 181 to SPED 524. I love teaching and learning.
Sylvia Walker
Sylvia Walker – Assistant Professor of Mathematics, holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a concentration in Mathematics as well as a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math Education. She received both of her degrees from New Mexico State University and has more than 20 years teaching experience. In 2012, Sylvia attended the Kellogg Institute for Developmental Education in Boone, NC, and received her Developmental Education Specialist certification from the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University in 2013. She has given presentations at national, state, and regional conferences such as the American Mathematics Association of Two Year Colleges (AMATYC) conference, National Association of Developmental Education (NADE) conference, New Mexico Higher Education Assessment and Retention (NMHEAR) conference, New Mexico Mathematics Association of Two Year Colleges (NMMATYC) conference, Community College Round-Up, and Developmental Discussion Day. Sylvia has been teaching at NMSU-Alamogordo since the fall of 2003.
Cathy Aguilar-Morgan
Division Head: Career and Technology
Professor of Mathematics and Engineering
B.S., M.S., Petroleum Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Cathy received both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Petroleum Engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) in 1979 and in 1981, respectively. Shortly after graduation, she was recruited by then Texaco Oil Company as a reservoir engineer offering opportunities to work in the oil fields of the Texas gulf-region and later the Middle East. In the late 80’s, Cathy moved her family to Alamogordo, NM where she taught mathematics at NMSU-A from 1989 – 1997 and later returned in Fall 2005 to continue her education career where she enjoys teaching and the chance to mentor hundreds of students per year!
Cathy has three kids and one son-in-law. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing by the pool, going on walks along Alamogordo’s desert trails and reading. Currently, Cathy is a post-graduate candidate pursuing her PhD in Education through Walden University.
Points of Pride!
Cathy recently received the NISOD award. Ms. Aguilar-Morgan is a Developmental Education Specialist through The Kellogg Institute and has presented at various conferences including NMMATYC, NISOD, NMHEAR and AMATYC. Cathy is extremely proud of her kids in that her oldest is a lawyer who works to pass legislation for the New York State Assembly, her son is a C-130J pilot in the USAF stationed in Ramstein, Germany, her youngest is a PhD candidate Missouri S&T and her son-in-law is a defense attorney in the State of New York.
Becky Ross RN, MSN
Director of Allied Health
Becky Ross is a licensed registered nurse in the state of New Mexico. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Mexico State University, and her Associate of Science of Nursing at NMSU-Alamogordo (NMSU-A). She dedicated the first 13 years of her healthcare career as a nursing assistant in a long-term care facility, during which time she pursued a formal education in nursing. Becky’s acute healthcare nursing career includes the roles of certified medical/surgical nurse, long-term care nurse, emergency nurse, home health nurse, and clinical educator. She is currently the Director of Allied Health at New Mexico State University – Alamogordo, New Mexico. Her teaching career at NMSU-A in May 2012 began as a College Instructor. One year later she filled the position of Assistant Professor for the NMSU-A college of nursing. As an Assistant Professor of Nursing, her area of instruction in academia has been the lead instructor for the following NMSU-A Associate Degree of Nursing courses: Adult Client I & II, Pharmacology, Practicum Preceptorship, and clinical instructor/preceptor for second and fourth semester nursing students.
Throughout her acute healthcare experience, Becky Ross has been an active team member for multiple process improvement initiatives at GCRMC, Alamogordo, NM. Committees she was active in during her employment include the Nurse Leadership Counsel, JACHO Preparedness Committee, Standards of Excellence: Standards Committee, Smoking Cessation Committee, Dress Code Committee, and the Cerner Documentation Core Team. During her time in the NMSU-A academic setting, she has been an integral team member for the following committees: Academic Progression & Graduation committee, Nursing Orientation committee, and the Academic committee. She also fulfilled the lead role in the development of a formal nursing orientation process for the NMSU-A Nursing program faculty, as well as fulfilling the lead role in organizing the Spring 2014 Nursing and Emergency Medical Service student participation in the 25th Bataan Death March held at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Karen Sadowski
Karen Sadowski has been a registered nurse for over 20 years. She graduated from University of Phoenix, Tampa, Florida, with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2004. She has been NMSU-A faculty since 2010. She also graduated from Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah, with a Master of Science in Health Education in 2009.
Throughout employment at NMSU-A, responsibilities include writing curriculum for and teaching various classes utilizing both face-to-face and online techniques. Leader for the NMSU-A Allied Health student organization for allied health students.
Karen’s professional nursing career accomplishments include staff nurse on a medical/oncology floor providing primary care to adult patients with a variety of illnesses, including diabetes, chronic lung diseases, and cancer. Rotated to labor and delivery unit as needed. Weekend case manager for hospice patients residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ambulatory care RN responsible for patient assessment, teaching, and performing outpatient procedures such as EKGs, wound care, and medication injections.
Dr. Ernestine Baca
Professor of Physical Education
Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum & Instruction
Bachelor of Science in Education, Physical Education; Minor: Health Science
New Mexico Certification Licenses
Administration/Principal License: Level 3A
Instruction Leader License
Teaching License: Level 3A
Athletic Coaching License: Level 2
Dr. Ernestine Baca is a professor of Physical Education in the Career and Technology Division. Dr. Baca holds a Doctor’s degree in Educational Administration in Community Colleges, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Health Science all from New Mexico State University. She has been on the New Mexico State University-Alamogordo faculty since 1997. Previously she taught secondary physical education at Alamogordo High School from 1986-1997.
Coach Baca has sustained an exemplary longevity of accomplishments and achievements. She was a member of both the Alamogordo High School 1979 State Volleyball Team and 1980 Runner-Up State Volleyball Team. At Alamogordo High School, she had a total coaching career (Head & Assistant Coach for Girls & Boys High School Sports) of ten years. In 1989 her volleyball team was the 3rd Place State Champion. Further highlights include she was the Boys Assistant Track coach for a two year repeated (1995 & 1996) Boys State Champion. Many athletes that were coached by Dr. Baca were state champion. She was the head coach for the south All Stars Volleyball team in 1989. In 2005, Dr. Baca received the Women of Merit Honor for Alamogordo.
Dr. Baca has devoted over 30 years of her life in a career to promote physical fitness, including athletic programs. Her primary educational and instructional interests focus upon group/personal training in weight lifting, competitive volleyball, track and field, walking and running fitness, dance aerobics, team and individual sports.
For numerous years, she was a very active member of New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA) and New Mexico Activities Association for Track and Field (NMAA). She presently is actively involved with internationally recognized organizations within the field of physical education such as the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance (AAPHERD), IDEA Health & Fitness, American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Zumba. Dr. Baca has an instructor’s certification from the Certified Prevention Institute (CPI) in nonviolent crisis intervention.
She enjoys helping her students by sharing her experiences as a physical educator. Students find Dr. Baca to be very passionate; she is committed to improving the health and fitness of all people.
Mike Eydenberg
M.S., University of Southern California
Mike Eydenberg received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy and his Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California. He has been at NMSU-A since 1993.
Points of Pride!
Professor of Physics, serves as Chair of Promotion and Tenure Committee. He invites others to visit his private physics lab in the Reidlinger Building. Recently his shark demonstration model blew up.
Carrie M. Baldwin
Associate Professor of Economics
M.A., Syracuse University
Carrie Baldwin is an Instructor of Economics at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo. She came to Alamogordo from Syracuse, NY in July 2002. Carrie has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Management, and Mathematics from Wells College in Aurora, New York. She received her Master’s of Arts in Economics from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. Carrie has a long-standing and broad interest in economics of health care, education, and tax policies.
Points of Pride!
Carrie is a Quality Matters Master Reviewer, and has created 5 courses which have met QM standards (ECON 201, ECON 251, ECON 252, MATH 120 & CCDM 114). She is also the 2015-2016 Chair of the Institutional Learning Outcomes Committee and a member of the Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Susan Cook
College Professor of Business
M.S., Troy University
Susan Cook is an accounting instructor for the business programs. She earned a Master’s Degree in Management from Troy University in 1997 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Indiana University in 1987. She first came to NMSU-A in 1992 and is very active on campus committees. Susan also works as an accountant for a family business and does consulting work in the community.
Points of Pride!
Susan serves as Assistant Division Head for the Career and Technology Division. She stays current in her field by attending state and regional conferences, developing quality online classes, and making timely changes to the curriculum when needed.
Roberta E. Hanneman
EMS Instructor
Roberta E Hanneman, Safety Officer Otero County, Chief Burro Flats VFD & EMS, Certified Public Official (CPO), Certified Public Supervisor (CPS, Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), EMT-I/IC, Air Force Master Sargent Retired. Instructor certifications include the following: CPR and First Aid instructor for AHA, Emergency Medical Technician (Received the Russ Richards Instructor/Coordinator of the year award in 2005 from the state), National Safety Council Defensive Driving 6/8 hour courses, Mine safety instructor since 2008, Adjunct instructor for NM Firefighters Academy for Hazardous Materials and instructor one, Chief of Burro Flats VFD & EMS 10 years, Associates Degree in Avionics Technology from Community College of the Air Force. Bert began teaching at NMSU-A part time in 1997 in the EMS program.
Paula Harms-Van Duyn
Paula Harms-Van Duyn holds an integral role as I-BEST faculty for Allied Health courses as part of the SUN PATH grant. Paula works closely with students enrolled in Phlebotomy Technician and Nursing Assistant Theory courses. Paula has a Bachelor’s of Social Work and a Master’s of Science in Education.
Karen Reid
Associate Professor of Psychology/Counseling and Educational Psychology
Ph.D., University of Nevada
Karen Reid graduated from Flagstaff High School in northern Arizona, and has over 20 years of experience designing, administrating, and assessing education and training programs for the United States Air Force. She has more than 15 years of teaching and administrative experience with university-level programs. Karen began teaching at NMSU in fall 2009.
Her areas of specialization include cognition and learning, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, educational evaluation and assessment, and College first-year seminars. Member: American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association, and American Evaluation Association.
Education
- Stephens College: Associate of Arts, Applied Music (1973)
- Stephens College: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (1974)
- University of Missouri, Columbia: Master of Education, Counseling and College Student Services (1977)
- Troy State University, Montgomery: Education Specialist, Adult Education Administration (1980)
- University of Nevada Las Vegas: Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Psychology (2009)
Points of Pride! She has regularly presented or co-presented at a number of conferences including Community College Roundup, New Mexico Higher Education Assessment and Retention Conference, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Conference, American and the American Evaluation Association Conference since joining NMSUA. She has also published articles in international and national peer reviewed publication while serving NMSUA.
Anne Ricksecker
Instructor Developmental Reading, Early Childhood Education
Degrees: BS – English, minors in History and Secondary Education – Murray State University, Murray KY
MA Ed. – Curriculum and Instruction, minor in English – Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN
Licensure: Professional Teaching License, TN – Elementary Education, Secondary Education, English, History
Experience: 25+ years – Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, College levels in Kentucky, Tennessee, New Mexico – Began at NMSU-A as full-time faculty (Emergency Hire) in fall of 2012; hired as full-time regular full-time faculty in summer of 2013.
Personal: Married 36 years; one son; thoroughly “enchanted” with New Mexico – can’t beat the beauty of the scenery or the kindness of the people.
Jary Rupe - Professor
Jary Rupe – Professor
Jary Rupe has been working at NMSU Alamogordo for over sixteen years. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso. His main areas of expertise are Business, Economics and Computing. He has 27 years of teaching experience in New Mexico community colleges.
Jennifer Smith
College Professor of Biology
Ph.D., Plant and Environmental Science, New Mexico State University
M.S. Biology, Sul Ross State University
M.S. Wildlife Science, New Mexico State University
B.A. Environmental Science and Journalism, Baylor University
Jennifer Smith has taught biology and natural sciences at the community college and university level for over 25 years. She says one of her favorite things, besides hanging out with her own children, are her students and teaching here at NMSU-A. She is a College Professor of Biology who wrote and received several grants to research a threatened species of aquatic turtle and its habitat as part of her dissertation for a PhD in Plant and Environmental Science at NMSU. She takes students into the field to implement conservation strategies for this species and other conservation projects. She has placed many students in local natural resource internships with the goal that they gain hands-on experience and develop long term employment in these fields. Several students have turned this opportunity into life-long careers in the natural resource field. This was made possible through a cooperative grant with NMSU-Las Cruces and the U.S. Forest Service. She was also awarded the Donald C. Roush for Teaching Excellence and Outstanding Division Member of the Year in the Math, Engineering, Science and Health division. She has three grown children and lives in the mountains near Cloudcroft. Her hobbies are camping, hiking, snorkeling and nature photography.
Christine Trapp
Assistant Professor of Biology
Ph.D., University of California – Davis
Christine Trapp is an assistant college professor for NMSUA. She came to NMSUA from the University of California Davis where she was awarded her doctorate in Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Physiological Biochemistry. Her postdoctoral research was completed at the University of Toledo, where she studied the role of cadherin molecules in cancer. She completed her dietetic internship through the State University of New York –Oneonta and became a registered Dietitian in 2006. She is licensed in New Mexico. She is currently working on a specialty in the field of Geriatric Nutrition.
In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Trapp is a consulting nutritionist for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility and several long term care facilities in New Mexico. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. She participates in seminars for various health professionals, including home health nurses and physicians.
Cory Weaver
Biomedical Program Instructor / Laboratory Director
As for me, I am from Alamogordo, NM, but spent most of my life living in other places. I started teaching in 2011, but along the way I’ve had some other experiences as well. I served in the military as a US Army Ranger stationed at 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Fort Lewis, WA (Rangers lead the way!). These days, I design online college courses, develop industry relations, and supervise our biomedical internships, but teaching is my passion.
For those interested in my boring personal life, I’m happily involved with a mother of three beautiful girls. We are science lovers, and self-proclaimed nerds. For fun, I exercise, play video games, read books, watch movies and mountain bike (when I can).
Sherrell Wheeler
Professor of Business and Director of Online Quality Assurance
MBE, West Texas State University
Sherrell joined NMSU-A in 2011. She has taught at the college level since 2001 and before that taught high school business for 20 years. Sherrell received a Masters of Business Education and a Bachelors of Science in Business Education from West Texas State University. As the Director of Online Quality Assurance, Sherrell is a Quality Matters Master Reviewer, coordinator, trainer and mentor.
Sherrell also serves as the National Officer Coordinator for Business Professionals of America (BPA). She leads annual leadership training sessions for college and high school students who have been selected as the national officers of BPA and works with these student officers throughout the year.
Points of Pride!
Sherrell was recently awarded the Quality Matters Making a Difference for Students Award at their annual national conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Sherrell frequently presents at conferences across the United States about online education. She is the current President-Elect of the Mountain-Plains Business Education Association and President of the New Mexico Business and Technology Educators Association. Sherrell is serving on the program committee for the 2018 QM Connect Conference.
Jennifer Obbard
Assistant Professor for Allied Health (SUN-PATH)
BS/MS Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from over 20 years working in the health professions field with 15 of those years spent in various roles within higher education. Jennifer has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in nursing from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. She also attended the renowned Harvard Center for Medical Simulation Comprehensive Instructor training and has been involved in immersive simulation learning for over 10 years, including curricular integration and faculty development. She has continued to further her education, including earning a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom, as well as, currently pursuing a PhD in Education with a specialization in innovative pedagogy at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Throughout her career she has been interested in health promotion, effective teaching and environmental dynamics as they relate to learning and wellbeing.
