About > Faculty & Staff

Below are brief biographies of our online instructors at Washington State Community College. You will also find their e-mail addresses and the courses they teach online. Please feel free to contact the instructor if you are interested in a particular course.

Online Instructors

Instructor: Andaz Ahmad
E-mail: aahmad@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: BUSM 160 - PC Applications

Brief Autobiography: Andaz Ahmad recently joined Washington State Community College as a Director of Distance Learning and an assistant professor of Computer Programming. He received his B.S. in Electronics, Computers, and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford in England. Andaz comes to Washington State after 6 years in the corporate information technology world, in London, England, where he worked as a systems analyst/project manager. He brings not only his academic preparation for teaching computer programming, but his international work experience in web page design and maintenance.

Instructor: Dody Drayer
E-mail: DDrayer@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: BUSM 157 - Small Business Entrepreneurship

Brief Autobiography: In her five years as an adjunct faculty member with Washington State Community College, Dody Augenstein has taught general, macro and microeconomics, business management, and PC applications. Now, she brings that experience, plus her own experience as a small business owner to an online course in Small Business Entrepreneurship. She enjoys the variety of online instruction, saying "Many adult learners enjoy the flexibility of online instruction. On-site courses may conflict with work or family schedules, but online courses can be completed whenever it is most convenient for the student."

Instructor: Becky Bergen
E-mail: bbergen@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: ENGL 111 - Introduction to Composition

Brief Autobiography: Becky Bergen began teaching at Washington State Community College in January, 1990. Before coming to Washington State, Becky taught reading and English at Marietta Middle School for nine years. Currently, she teaches Basic Composition, Introduction to Composition, and Children's Literature for the Middle School Child. She has a bachelor's degree from Miami University, a 5th-year post-graduate degree from San Diego State University, and a master's degree from Ohio Univeristy. About writing, she says, "Writing is a process which nearly anyone can learn with patience and practice. Writing and thinking are closely linked; the more one practices writing, the more one practices thinking. Introduction to Composition provides an opportunity for students to expand both their writing and thinking skills."

Instructor: Laura Garcia
E-mail: lgarcia@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: SPCH 206 - Interpersonal Communication

Brief Autobiography: Adjunct faculty member Laura Garcia is at home with online instruction. She has been named a certified online instructor for Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. She has taught speech courses at Washington State Community College for two and one-half years and is an adjunct instructor in history with Wheeling Jesuit University and in speech communication for West Virginia University-Parkersburg. She believes that Interpersonal Communication lends itself well to inline instruction because "one major class concept is mediated communication and distance learning classes are a form of this. The hands-on application enables students to be part of one of the emerging trends in the field of communication."

Instructor: Nina M. Gath
E-mail: ngath@wscc.edu

Online course(s) taught: Math 108 - Pre Algebra and MATH 109 - Elementary Algebra

Brief Autobiography: Nina Gath, currently a professor and math coordinator in the mathematics department, has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Marietta College and a Masters in Higher Education from Ohio University. She joined the staff of Washington Technical College in the fall of 1977 as a part-time instructor and continued in that position until 1989 when she became a full time employee of Washington State. Prior to coming to Washington State Community College, Nina taught middle school and high school mathematics at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Schools in Syracuse, Nebraska. Nina says that she is a firm believer in the statement, "It is not your aptitude, but your attitude that determines your altitude."

Instructor: Melissa Hartline
E-mail: mhartline@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: BUSM 166 - Business Law 1

Brief Autobiography: Melissa Hartline came to Washington State as a part-time faculty member in 2002 to teach courses in business management. Relying on her background as an accounting and management supervisor at the Marietta Times, Melissa has brought real-world experiences to courses in Business Law I, Business Management, Economics, PC Applications, Human Resources Management, and Personal Development. The Washington County native holds a B.A. degree in accounting from Marietta College.

Instructor: Mark "Mickey" Kessler
E-mail: mkessler@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: ENGL 151 - English Composition I

Brief Autobiography: Mark (whose nickname is Mickey; either name is fine) has a B.A. in Theatre from Youngstown State University (Magna cum Laude) and an M.F.A. in Playwriting (Schubert Scholarship recipient) from Carnegie Mellon University. Before becoming an educator he had many careers. He's been a laborer and an executive, a writer, actor, and director, screenwriter, and even a piano tuner. His plays have been performed in at least two countries, and he's had one screenplay filmed. He has been an adjunct professor at Youngstown State and at DeVry University (West Hills, California campus), and currently holds the title of Assistant Professor of English at Washington State Community College, where he teaches Technical Writing, English Composition, Introduction to Film, Introduction to Theatre, and Creative Writing.

Instructor: Brenda Kornmiller
E-mail: bkornmiller@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: MKTG 225 - Retailing with E-Commerce
Brief Autobiography: Brenda Kornmiller has combined her nearly ten years of classroom experience with a strong business background to create the college's new E-Commerce Marketing program. In addition to her online instruction, she serves as an associate professor and business department chair. Brenda explains, "Retailing with E-Commerce lends itself to online instruction because of the time spent observing and analyzing websites of various retail operations."

Instructor: Brad Merritt
E-mail: bmerritt@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: POLS 205 - Global Issues

Brief Autobiography: Currently, Brad Merritt is Assistant Professor of history and political science at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida. During his six-plus years as an adjunct faculty member at Washington State Community College, Brad Merritt has brought a wealth of worldwide experience to his classes. Coming to the college from Ohio University, he has taught business management, economics, history and political science. He currently is working on his third Master's degree at OU. Brad now brings this knowledge and excitement for learning to the distance learning program. Asked about distance learning, he observes, "People need to understand that we are citizens of the world not just a local community. This course will help students grasp the concept of globalization and our responsibilities in the world."

Instructor: Tracy McAfee
E-mail: tmcafee@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: THEA 101 - Introduction to Theatre

Brief Autobiography: Tracy McAfee was one of the pioneers of alternative delivery instruction, having developed classes in theatre and speech in the mid 1990s. He also is proof that distance learning can, indeed, occur at a distance. After ten years as a member of the Washington State Community College faculty, Tracy now serves as a professor of speech and theatre at Blue Ridge Community College in Virginia. He also served as an administrator at the Palace Theatre in Marion, Ohio, prior to his tenure in education. "For some classes such as theatre, it only makes sense for students to have flexibility in completing their coursework. Online classes are not for everyone. Students must have the dedication, time management, and motivation to complete assignments without being reminded. Sometimes online classes are more time consuming than traditional classroom courses but the advantages, such as flexibility, are worth it," he explains.

Instructor: Amy Peckens
E-mail: apeckens@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: PERS 150 - Online Success

Brief Autobiography: Amy Peckens has been teaching at Washington State Community College since the fall of 1984. She taught part-time for a few years and then became a full-time instructor in the Developmental Studies program in the fall of 1990. She primarily teaches the developmental reading classes since her Master's degree is in reading. She also teaches the study skills classes in the Personal Development program.

Her goal for this course is to guide you in learning the skills needed to function in an online class. She will also provide you with study skills and personal management skills that will enable you to be a successful student--both online and in face-to-face classes.

Instructor: Pamela S. Roberts
E-mail: pleasure@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: SOCI 101 - Sociology

Brief Autobiography: Pam Roberts started with the college in 1992. She has taught Psychology, Sociology and in the field of Social Work. She also serves as the Academic Coordinator with the Opportunity Scholars Program, a student support service on campus. Pam developed the first "on line" Sociology class at Washington State and is glad to see it go primarily from email/fax to live discussions. She notes, "Sociology is a subject that needs to have a component of open discussions. On line classes are not for all students, but those that are self-motivated and enjoy flexibility can do well in the virtual classroom."

Instructor: Linda Roesch
E-mail: lroesch@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: INDT 121 - Industrial Safety Hazmat

Brief Autobiography:n/a

Instructor: Tricia Schaad
E-mail: taschaad@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: HLTH 175 - Health Science Orientation

Brief Autobiography: Tricia has taught at Washington State Community ColIege for seven years. She graduated from Mount Carmel College of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She also received a Masters Degree in Nursing with a focus in Adult Health Care from Otterbein College. She began teaching nursing in the practical nursing program at Washington State Community College in 1998. Currently she is teaching in the Assoicate Degree Nursing Program. Her clinical and classroom focus is Medical/Surgical Nursing. Before teaching, She worked as a Registered Nurse in Cardiac Step-Down, Obstetrics and Dialysis. She enjoys incorporating technology within the classroom setting as well as developing new methods for presenting information to students.

Instructor: Janet Schilling
E-mail: jschilling@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: DEVE 060 - Basic Mathematics and MATH 111 - Intermediate Algebra

Brief Autobiography: She has been employed at Washington State Community College for about 20 years. She has taught the majority of the mathematics courses at Washington State. She is a graduate of University of Rio Grande with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. She has a Masters Degree from Ohio University. One of her special interests is incorporating technology into the classroom setting so she has attended many conferences on the use of the graphing calculator. She has also been active in teaching the math proficiency workshops during the summer.

Instructor: Deborah Thomas, Ed.D.
E-mail: dthomas@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: PSYC 101 - General Psychology
                           PSYC 275 - Educational Psychology

Brief Autobiography: Dr. Deborah Thomas has experienced Washington State Community College from all sides, first as a part-time learning specialist and now as a full-time faculty member. She has been with the college for nine years, spending the past four in the classroom, teaching a variety of psychology courses. Prior to joining the college staff, she worked as a therapist in community mental health and private practice. She earned her bachelor's, master's and doctorate from West Virginia University. About the course, she says, "The study of social and behavioral sciences allows students to understand the behaviors of every living being within our universe. General Psychology provides an introduction of this understanding and should prompt interest in learning more about human behavior. The online format provides opportunities for each student to interact with others, regardless of their comfort level when interacting with strangers. It allows the shyest student to participate without fear of others' reactions. The obvious advantage is that flexibility to access instruction in spite of busy schedules. I teach online because it is challenging and fun. I like to try new methodologies of instruction and the feedback has been positive."

Instructor: Howard Tornes
E-mail: htornes@wscc.edu


Online course(s) taught: MATH 160 - Business Math

Brief Autobiography: A commitment to education runs deep in Howard Tornes, adjunct faculty member at Washington State Community College. In addition to his 28 years with Washington State, he has taught and coached for many years at St. John's Central Grade School, at the Washington County Career Center, and in the Wolf Creek Local School District. At the college, he has taught Business Math along with a number of accounting courses. Reflecting on this online course, he says "This is an excellent course for any business student, or for any person who owns or does any accounting work for a business. You can find success working at your own pace, using excellent examples and ample practice."