Wenatchee Faculty & Staff Directory

Karen Alman

Communications

Karen has a wealth of knowledge in the field of communications. She has been at WVC since 2012. 

Education

B.A., Communications, Journalism, University of West Indies
M.A., Communications, University of Southern California
Ph.D, Communications, Media Advertising, Michigan State University

Kelly Anderson

Transitional Studies

Kelly teaches adult basic education courses in the High School 21+ program. She has been at WVC since 2015.

Education

B.A., Apparel and Textiles, Washington State University
B.A., Social Sciences, Washington State University
M.Ed., Technology in Curriculum, Lesley University

Rene Baca

Spanish

Rene has a passion for the Spanish language and culture. He has been at WVC since 2015. 

Education

B.A., M.A., Spanish, New Mexico State University

 Scott Bailey

 Art

Scott is a talented artist. His work has been featured in exhibitions around the world, including Egypt, Japan and the U.S. He has been at WVC since 2003.

Education

B.A., Art, Gonzaga University
MFA, Painting, Colorado State University

Sompheng Batch

Business Computer Technology

Sompheng first started teaching business technology at Wenatchee High School in 1997. She has been at WVC since 2012. 

Education

B.S., Business Education, Central Washington University
M.Ed, Management and Innovation, Western Governor's University

David Bennatt

Science

David is passionate about teaching science. He has been at WVC since 2005. 

Education

B.S., Zoology, University of Washington
Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Notre Dame

Richard Brinkman

Sociology

Richard specializes in sociology and has taught at WVC since 2008. 

Education

B.A., Sociology, University of Oregon
M.A., Sociology, Iowa State University

Dave Burns

Computer Technology & Systems

Dave has been a computer technology and systems faculty member at WVC since 2001. 

Education

B.A., Anthropology, Western Washington University
B.A., Education, Western Washington University

Christa Cacciata

Math

Christa has taught math courses at WVC since 2012. 

Education

B.A., Math, San Diego State University
M.A., Math, California State University -Fullerton

Michael Choman

Business

Accounting

Michael has taught accounting and business administration courses at WVC since 1994.

Education

B.S., MBA, University of Wyoming

Dustin Clark

History

Dustin has taught history courses at WVC since 2011.

Education

B.A., History, Central Washington University
M.A., History, University of Washington

Ralph Dawes

Earth Sciences

Ralph started teaching at WVC in 1999. His interest include geology, chemistry and physics. 

Education

B.A., English--Language & Literature, Antioch College
B.S., Geology, Western Washington University
M.S., Ph.D. Geology, University of Washington

Tom Doherty

Automotive Technology

Tom has been teaching in the WVC Automotive Technology program since 2013. 

Education

AA, Automotive Technology, Universal Technical Institute

Arius Elvikis

Art Digital Design

Arius brings multifaceted talents to the WVC Art department. He has been teaching at WVC since 2014. 

Education

BFA Fine Arts, Bradley University
MFA Fine Arts, Arizona State University

Rob Fitch

Biology

Rob has taught at WVC since 1989. In the summers, he teaches at Walla Walla University's Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory.

Education

B.A., Aquatic Biology, University of California -Santa Barbara
M.S., Biology, University of British Columbia

Greg Franz

Physical Education

Greg began his career at WVC in 1988. He serves at the athletic director. 

Education

A.S., York Junior College
B.A., Physical Education, Harding College
M.S., Physical Education, Indiana State University

Leo Garcia

Agriculture

Leo has been teaching at WVC since 1991. He is an Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program faculty member. 

Education

A.A., Dodge City CC
B.S., Horticulture, Washington State University

J'Lene George

Psychology

J'Lene has taught psychology courses at WVC since 2008. 

Education

B.A., Psychology, University of Idaho
M.S., Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Miami

Bob Gillespie

Agriculture

Natural Resources

Bob has taught natural resources, agriculture and biology courses at WVC since 1998.

Education

B.S., Education, University of Nebraska
M.S., Entomology, University of Idaho
Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Montana State University

Janna Goodyear

Developmental Education

Janna has taught development courses at WVC since 2015.

Education

B.A. English, North Carolina University
M.A., Rhetoric and Writing, Univ. of New Mexico

Robert Greiner

Automotive Technology

Bob is the director and faculty member of the WVC Automotive Technology program. He has taught at WVC since 2008. 

Education

A.A., Auto and Diesel Technology, Deniver Auto and Diesel College
ASE Master Technician

Rebecca Hargrove

English

Rebecca has been teaching English courses at WVC since 2015. 

Education

B.A., Humanities, Lubbock Christian University
M.A., English, Calif. State University

Shane Hendrickson

Chemistry

 Shane has taught chemistry courses at WVC since 2008. 

Education

B.A., Chemistry, University of Washington
M.S., Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington

Awanthi Hewage

Chemistry

Awanthi has taught chemistry at WVC since 2014.

Education

B.A., Chemistry, University of Columbo
Ph.D, Physical Chemistry, University of Nevada-Reno

Juel Iwaasa

Music

Juel has enjoyed the opportunity to participate in building a strong music program. He has been teaching at WVC since 2004. 

Education

B.M., M.M., Music Composition, Brigham Young University

Zack Jacobson

Industrial Technology

Zack has been teaching in the industrial technology program since 1999. He is also the adviser for the Mechatronics club. 

Education

A.S., A.A., Wenatchee Valley College
B.A., Physics, Central Washington University

Micky Jennings

Machining

Micky is a focused and passionate machinist. He believes in connecting his students to employers. He has been teaching at WVC since 2015. 

Education

AAS, Precision Machining, Walla Walla CC

Jack Johnson

EnglishHumanities

Jack teaches English and Humanities courses at WVC. He has taught at WVC since 1996.

Education

B.A., English and Philosophy, Central Washington University
M.A., English—Language and Literature, Southern Illinois University

Sam Johnson

Humanities

Sam began teaching at WVC in 2013 as a part-time English and humanities instructor. He has since become a full-time humanities instructor.

Education

B.A., English Literature, Western Washington University
M.A., English Studies, Western Washington University

Ariahna Jones

Physical Education

Ariahna has been teaching at WVC since 2015. She has brought the appreciation and sense of stewardship to students enrolled in outdoor rec. courses. 

Education

B.A., Natural Resource Management, Western Washington University
M.S., Water Resource Management, McGill University

Greg Jourdan

Environmental Systems and Refrigeration Technology

Greg has taught in the ESRT program since 1985. He is a 2x recipient of the Alcoa Excellence in Teaching Award.

Education

A.S., Applied Refrigeration Science, Central Missouri State University
B.S., Industrial Engineering, Central Missouri State University
M.A., C.Ed, Adult & Continuing Ed., Washington State University

Jan Kaiser

Medical Assistant

Jan has taught at WVC since 2000. She is the current director of the Medical Assistant program. 

Education

AAS, Nursing, Wenatchee Valley College

Kerin Keys

Math

Kerin began teaching math at WVC in 2016. Her past experience was with City College of San Francisco and at Berkley City College. 

Education

B.A., Environmental Science/Studies, The Evergreen State College
M.A., Math, San Francisco State College

Lynne Kottmeier

Developmental Education

Lynne has taught in WVC Development Education since 2005.

Education

B.S., M.Ed., Special Education, University of Missouri

Katie Lantau

Medical Laboratory Technology

Katie is a WVC alumna who has taught in the medical lab technology program since 2015.

Education

ATS, Medical Lab Technology, Wenatchee Valley College
BS, Biology, Central Washington University
MS, Biology, Central Washington University

Mike Lavinder

Math

Mike has taught courses such as algebra, mathematical reasoning, pre-calculus and statistical analysis at WVC since 1983.

Education

A.A., Grays Harbor College
B.A., M.S., Math, Central Washington University

Erin Long

Physical Education

Erin has been a physical education faculty member at WVC since 2008.

Education

B.S., Physical Education & Health, Eastern Oregon University
M.S., Education, Nova Southeastern University

Nelson Martin

Business

Nelson has taught accounting and business administration courses at WVC since 1997.

Education

B.A., Accounting, Gonzaga
MBA, Accounting, Univ. of Arizona

Gloria McGregor

Nursing

Gloria has taught in the WVC Nursing program since 2004.

Education

BSN, Nursing, Union College
MSN, Nursing, University of Phoenix

Joara Minharo

Political Science

Joara is an immigrant from Brazil and left her homeland in 1984. She joined WVC in 2007 and is a political science faculty member.

Education

B.A., Political Science, Utah State University
M.S., Political Science, Western Washington University

Andrea Morrell

Medical Assistant

Andrea is a WVC alumna. She began teaching in the medical assistant program at WVC in 2015.

Education

AAS, Wenatchee Valley College

Michelle Peterson

Radiologic Technology

Michelle has taught in the WVC Radiologic Technology program since 2014.

Education

AAS, Radiologic Technology, Wenatchee Valley College

Shelly Pflugrath

Psychology

Shelly became a full-time psychology faculty member at WVC in 2013. 

Education

BS, Biology, Washington State University
M.Ed, Counseling, Heritage College

Ryan Poortinga

Counseling

Ryan is a WVC alumnus. He has been a WVC counselor since 2014.

Education

A.A., Wenatchee Valley College
B.A., M.A., Education, Counseling, Washington State University

Jaime Ramirez

Chicano Studies

History

Jaime has been a WVC History and Chicano/a Studies faculty member since 2014.

Education

A.A., Yakima Valley CC
B.A., Social Science, Washington State University
B.A., History, Washington State University
M.A., History, Washington State University

Angela Redmon

Math

Angela joined WVC in 1998. Her areas of professional interest include Pythagorean triples and modern algebra.

Education

B.S., Math, University of Portland
M.S., Math, Eastern Washington University

Heather Ryan

English

Heather has taught English at WVC since 2014.

Education

A.A., Bakersfield College
B.A., English, Portland State University
MFA, Creative Writing, University of Oregon

Bertha Sanchez

Counseling

Bertha is a WVC alumna. She has been a counselor at WVC since 2007.

Education

A.A., Wenatchee Valley College
B.S., Social Services, Central Washington University
M.Ed., Counseling, Heritage College

Francisco Sarmiento

Agriculture

Francisco is a WVC alumnus. He has taught in the WVC Agriculture Department since 2006.

Education

A.A., Tree Fruit Production, Wenatchee Valley College
B.S., Horticulture, Washington State University

Amy Shank

English

Amy has taught at WVC since 2008 and she is the director of the WVC WriteLab.

Education

B.A., M.A., English, Eastern Washington University
M.A., Teaching, Whitworth

Derek Sheffield

English

 Derek has been a professor of English at WVC since 2003. He has many renowned awards and honors in the field of poetry and English.

Education

B.A., English, University of Washington
M.Ed., Education, Seattle University
MFA, Poetry, University of Washington

Robert Smet

Criminal Justice

Robert has taught in the criminal justice program at WVC since 2008. Prior to that, he was with the Wenatchee Police Dept. for 30 years.

Education

Cert., Crime and Intelligence Analyses, California State University
Cert., Forensics, University of Washington
Cert., Forensic Anthropology, Washington State University

Steven Stefanides

Biology

Chemistry

Steve is a passionate science instructor and has been with WVC since 1999. He holds the 2016 Alcoa Excellence in Teaching Award (with Dr. Sue Kane).

Education

B.A., Philosophy, Stanford
M.S., Biology, Stanford

Dan Stephens

Biology

Dan joined WVC in 1990. He holds the 2003 WVC Linda Schultz Herzog Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award.

Education

B.S., Biology, Boise State University
M.S., Biology, Central Washington University
D.A., Biology Education, Idaho State University

Gerald Tiffany

English

Gerry has taught English at WVC since 1989. He was awarded 98-99 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.

Education

B.S., English & Comm., University of Iowa
M.A., Comm. Research, University of Iowa
B.A.E., Education, Eastern Washington University
M.A., English, Eastern Washington University
MFA, Creative Writing, Eastern Washington University

Patrick Tracy

Medical Laboratory Technology

Pat has been with WVC since 2012.

Education

B.S., Medical Technology, University of North Dakota
M.A., Linguistics, Adam Mickiewcz University

Bruce Unger

Physics

Engineering

Bruce has been with WVC since 1988. He was the 2003-04 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.

Education

B.S., Physics, State University of New York-Oswego
M.S., Physics, Washington State University
Ph.D., Physics, Washington State University

Benjamin Van Dyke

Math

Ben has been with WVC since 2016.

Education

B.S., Math, Eastern Oregon University
M.S., Math, Kansas State University
Ph.D., Math, Washington State University

Craig Vander-Hart

Philosophy

Craig has been with WVC since 2012.

Education

M.A., Religion & Philosophy, Northwest University
M.A., Philosophy, Gonzaga

Beverly Warman

Chemical Dependency Studies

Beverly has been with WVC since 2000.

Education

AAA, WVC
B.A., Psychology, Western Wash. University
M.Ed., Counseling Psychology, Heritage College

Sharon Wiest

Math

Sharon has been with WVC since 2006.

Education

B.S., Math, Gonzaga
M.S., Applied Math, University of Colo.

Mary Wolcott

Nursing

Mary has been with WVC since 2006.

Education

AAA, Spokane CC
B.Ed., Education, Whitworth
MSN, Nursing, Gonzaga

Derin Wysham 

 Math

Education

B.S., Mathematical Sciences, University of Calif.
Ph.D., Applied Math, University of Colorado

Susan Yale

Nursing

 Susan has been with WVC since 2014.

Education

A.A., ADN, Nursing, Wenatchee Valley College
B.A., Hospitality Business, Washington State University
MSN, Nursing Education, Gonzaga

Shelly Zimmerman

Radiologic Technology

Shelly has been with WVC since 1989.

Education

A.A., AAS, Radiologic Technology, Wenatchee Valley College
B.S., Radiologic Sciences, Weber State University