Administration, Faculty and Staff

Administrative Officers

Dr. Cristobal “Cris” Valdez, President

Dr. Isaac Zúñiga, Executive Vice President, Academic and Student Services

Sheree Zalanka, Vice President, Financial Services

Joseph Feinstein, Vice President, Operations and Technology

Julie Melton, Assistant Vice President, Foundation and Institutional Advancement

Courtney Carson, Assistant Vice President, External Relations

Kristie Dawson, Executive Director, Human Resources

James Getz, Commander, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Nicole DelMastro-Jeffery, Executive Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Deans

Andy Hynds, Mathematics, Science, and Business

Dr. Tasha Jones, Allied Health Professions

Meredith Johnson-Palmer, Executive Dean, Student Success

Michelle Luhrsen, Nursing Education

Johnathan Oliver, Workforce Development

Danielle Patricio, Liberal Arts

Administration, Faculty & Staff Listing (as of February 1, 2024)

William Akers, Food Service, MCLETC (AAS, Richland Community College)

Sally Anselmo, Director, Enterprise Systems (BA, BS, Eastern Illinois University; MS, Illinois State University)

Dennis Arnold, Academy Class Coordinator, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (AA Lincoln Land Community College; Diploma, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety; Diploma, FBI National Academy)

Don Askins, Campus Police Officer

Steve Austin, Professor, History (BA, Brigham Young University; MA, Arizona State University)

Shelly Baldwin, Professor, Nursing, Nursing Program Director (BSN, Millikin University; MSN, Walden University, DNP, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)

Taylor Barnett, Administrative Assistant, Workforce Development

Mike Bartimus, Maintenance, Facilities (Certificate, Richland Community College; BA, Evangel College)

Robert Beeson, Tech Services Specialist II, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (AAS, Richland Community College)

Raquel Boettcher, Essential Skills Facilitator, EnRich (BA, Millikin University)

Jennifer Bollinger, Instructor, Health Information Technology (BS, MS, Illinois State University)

Frederick Book, Technical Services Team Lead

Faith Brenner, Professor, Information Technology (BS, MS, Illinois State University)

Lindy Bridgman, Instructor, Practical Nursing (BS, Eastern Illinois University)

Monica Brigham, Student Success Coach (BA, Columbia Southern University; MS, Public Administration and Legal Studies, University of Illinois-Springfield)

Samantha Bright, Director, Marketing & Communications (BS, Illinois State University)

Megan Broderick, Program Director, Early Childhood Education (MS, Argosy University, Schaumburg)

Jarry Brown, Interim Director, Teaching and Learning Center (BS, Concord University)

Madonna Brown, Executive Administrative Assistant, President's Office (BA, Concordia College)

Scott Broyles, Director, Fitness Center (Certificate, Black Hawk College)

Jody Burtnett, Registrar, Student Success (BS, Millikin University; MEd, Sam Houston State University)

Matthew Cardinal, Assistant Professor, Radiography Program Director (AS, Richland Community College; BS, Millikin University; Ed M, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign)

Courtney Carson, Assistant Vice President, External Relations (BS, Aurora University; MDiv, Illinois Baptist College)

Hannah Church, Success Coach II, Student Success (BA, Millikin University)

Brandon Clark, Instructor, Diesel Medium-Heavy Truck Technology (Certificate, Nashville Auto Diesel College)

Derek Clem, Art Instructor, Liberal Arts (MS, Illinois State University, BA, Eastern Illinois University)

April Cramer, Purchasing Coordinator, Business Services (AA, Richland Community College)

Marcella Cremer, Assistant Professor, Mathematics (BS, M-Ed, University of Illinois)

Ed Culp, Basic CRJ Training Class Director, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (FBI National Academy)

Bradley Curry, Instructor, Engineering Technology (BS, MS, Eastern Illinois University)

Gavena Dahlman, Director, Library Services (AA, Richland Community College; BS, MS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)

Marvelon Dampeer, Essential Skills Facilitator, EnRich (BS, Millikin University)

Michael Davis, Maintenance II, Facilities

Kristie Dawson, Executive Director, Human Resources (BS, Illinois State University)

Nicole DelMastro-Jeffery, Executive Director, DEIB, President's Office (MS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)

Kim Dial, HR Generalist, Human Resources (AAS, Richland Community College; BS, Millikin University)

William Ditty, II, Skilled Trades Training Coordinator (AAS, Richland Community College)

Srinivasan Durairaj, Professor, Biology (BS, MS, Bharathi University; PhD, Bharathi University, Coimbatore, India)

Debbie Ellison, Executive Administrative Assistant, Foundation

Debra Embrey, Housekeeping Supervisor, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Karl Evans, Instructor, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (Certificate, Parkland College)

Jill Feinstein, Professor, Biology (BA, Knox College; MS, Northern Illinois University)

Joseph Feinstein, Vice President, Operations and Technology (BA, Knox College)

Robert Fleck, Maintenance II, Facilities (Certificate, Richland Community College)

Teresa Flesch, Payroll Coordinator, Business Office (AAS, Richland Community College)

James Getz, Commander, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (BA, University of Illinois-Springfield; Certification, FBI National Academy)

Nicholas Gorenz, CDL Training Coordinator, Workforce Development

Susan Grider, Professor, Radiography (AAS, College of Lake County; BSRS, Midwestern State University)

Gordon Gurley, Instructor, Biology (BS, MS, Andrews University; PhD, Western Michigan University)

Dierre Guyse, Navigator/Recruiter, EnRich Healthcare Program (BS, Indiana Wesleyan University)

Ashley Hall, Career & Completion Coach, Student Success (BA, Aurora University)

Jody Hall, Financial Aid Director, Financial Aid and Veterans’ Affairs, Student Success (BA, Aurora University)

Annie Halsema, Cashier l, Business Office

Shari Hanks, Tech Services Specialist I (Certificate, Richland Community College)

Richard Harmon, HPS, Associate Professor, Coordinator, Human Simulator (ADN, Carl Sandburg College; BSN, Olivet Nazarene University; MSN, Southern Illinois University; Doctor of Nursing, American Sentinel University)

Nicholas Harper, Recruitment Specialist CTE Programs, Student Success (AAS, Richland Community College, MBA, Millikin University)

Bridget Harrison, Assistant Professor, Nursing (BS, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville)

Connie Hartman, Executive Administrative Assistant, Academic Services (AAS, Southern Illinois University)

Karen Hartman, Assistant Professor, Nursing (AAS, Lincoln Land Community College; MSN, Walden University)

Joy Harvey, Director, Technical Services (AAS, Richland Community College)

Dean Hazen, Chief of Public Safety (AS, Kilian Community College; BLS, University of Illinois-Springfield)

Lizabeth Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Nursing (BA, BS, MSN, Millikin University)

Carol Hood, Professor, Accounting (BA, Millikin University)

Lila Houston, Solutions Specialist, Student Success

Laurie Hughes, Professor, English (BS, Vanderbilt University; MA, PhD, University of Tennessee)

Jacob Hunter, Programmer Analyst, AIS (BS, Calvin College, MS Wayne State University)

Andrew Hynds, Dean, Mathematics, Science, and Business Division (BS, Southern Illinois University; MS, Illinois State University: MS, Kaplan University)

April Ingram, Program Director, Workforce Equity, External Relations (BA, Benedictine University)

Beth Jackson, Facilitator, Surgical Tech Facilitator (AAS, Richland Community College)

Matthew Jackson, Senior Programmer Analyst, AIS (BS, Millikin University; MS, Illinois State University)

Patricia Jackson, Administrative Assistant, Mathematics, Science, and Business Division (AAS, Richland Community College)

La Sonya Johnson, Financial Aid Specialist, Student Success (AAS, Richland Community College)

Meredith Johnson-Palmer, Executive Dean, Student Success (AA, Richland Community College; BS, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; MBA, Benedictine University)

James D. Jones, Professor, Mathematics (AS, Richland Community College; BA, Eastern Illinois University; MA, Sangamon State University)

Jermaine Jones, Food Service, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (AAS, Richland Community College)

Tasha Jones, Dean, Allied Health Professions (BS, Illinois State University; MS, University of Phoenix; PhD., Capella University)

Brian Kalata, Assistant Professor, Culinary Arts (AS, The Culinary Institute of America; BS, University of Phoenix)

Shupi Kandawasvika, Executive Administrative Assistant, Human Resources (AAS, Richland College, TX; BS, Amberton University)

Crystal Kitchens, Professor, Office Technology (BS, Millikin University; MA, University of Illinois-Springfield)

Janilyn Kocher, Professor, History (AA, Olney Central College; BA, MA, Southern Illinois University)

Deanna Koenigs, Greenhouse and Small Farm Coordinator, Mathematics, Sciences, and Business Division (BA, Augustana College; MA, University of Illinois)

Louis Krahn, Housekeeper, Macon Country Law Enforcement Training Center (AAS, Richland Community College)

David Larrick, Professor, Biology and Sequestration (BS, MS, Southern Illinois University; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State)

Mackenzie Larrick-Eubanks, Enrollment Specialist, Student Success (BA, Millikin University)

Paul Lidy, Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs (BA, Millikin University; MS Western Illinois University)

Adam Lovell, Grants Coordinator, Business Office (BS, Northeastern State University; MS, John F. Kennedy University)

Michelle Luhrsen, Dean, Nursing Education (AS, Parkland College; BS, Olivet Nazarene University; MS, Western Governors University)

Laurie Lyon, Administrative Assistant, Adult Education

Jacque Manicki, Director Academic Success Center, Student Success (AA, Illinois Valley Community College; BS, Millikin University)

Gregory Marcello, Instructor, Biology (BS, Edinboro University; MS, Miami University)

Joren Martin, Controller, Business Office (AA, Richland Community College; BS, Millikin University)

Athena Mata, Financial Aid Specialist, Student Success (BS, Blackburn College)

Tara Mata, Coordinator, Advancement Services & Scholarships, Foundation (BS, Drake University)

Theresa Matthews, Housekeeper, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Daniel McAlpine, Student Success Coach II, Student Success (AA, Coastline Community College; BS, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale)

Joshua McAlpine, Solutions Specialist, Student Success (AA, Richland Community College)

Loren McGinnis, Coordinator, Annual Giving & Alumni Engagement, Foundation (AA, Richland Community College, BS, Millikin University, MBA, Millikin University)

John McKee, Maintenance II

Lori McKenzie, Administrative Assistant, Health Professions

Tammy Meinders, Housekeeper, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Julie Melton, Assistant Vice President, Foundation and Institutional Advancement (BS, Indiana University; MNPA, North Park University)

Christopher Merli, Associate Professor, Chemistry (BA, University of Missouri-Columbia; MS, University of Missouri-St. Louis; PhD, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign)

Lottie Metsker, Housekeeper, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Hannah Morrow, Housekeeper, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Samuel Morrow, Director, Facilities (AAS, Lincoln Technical Institute)

Katie Murphy, Coordinator, Dual Credit, Liberal Arts (BS, Southern Illinois University)

Alexis Newbon, Workforce Equity Initiative Program Navigator, EnRich, External Affairs (BA, University of Iowa)

Patrick O'Dell, Truck Driving Training Specialist, Workforce (Certificate, Richland Community College) Brooke Oliver, Professor, Surgical Technology, (AAS, Richland Community College; BS, Millikin University; M Ed., Widener University)

Johnathan Oliver, Dean, Workforce Development (BS, MBA, Murray State University)

Zachary Ossowski, Maintenance II-HVAC

Kristine Palmer, Professor, Sociology (AS, Richland Community College; BA, Sangamon State University; MS, Friends University)

Priscilla Palmer, Testing Specialist, Academic Success Center (BS, MS, SEd Eastern Illinois University, EdD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Julie Pangrac, Program Director, Project Read Plus (BA, University of Illinois)

Danielle Patricio, Dean, Liberal Arts (BA, MA)

Samuel Perryman, Network Support Administrator II, Facilities and Operations (AAS, Richland Community College)

Laura Philips, Instructor, Mathematics (BS, Iowa State University)

Molly Ploessel, Instructor, Surgical Technology (AAS, Richland Community College)

Marcy Pounders, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center & Auxiliary Accounts Receivable Accountant (AA, Lincoln Land Community College; BA, Eastern Illinois University)

Tracy Preston-Kent, Transition Coordinator, Adult Education (BS, Illinois State University; MS, Grand Canyon University)

Theresa Ragan, Administrative Assistant, Liberal Arts Division (AS, Richland Community College)

Katie Raisner, Retention Coordinator, Student Success (BA, Eastern Illinois University; MA, University of Arkansas)

Haden Richardson, Food Service Supervisor, Cafe (AA, Richland Community College)

Carrie Ringer, Campus Event Coordinator, Foundation and Institutional Advancement (BA, Arizona State University)

Wade Ripple, Coordinator, Creative Services, Marketing (AAS, Richland Community College)

Emma Roark, Content Writer, Marketing (AAS, Olney Central College, BA, Eastern Illinois University)

Andrew Robinson, Solutions Specialist, Student Success (AAS, Richland Community College)

Scott Sanchez, Food Service Supervisor, Cafe (Certificate, Richland Community College)

Sandy Scharf, Operations Support Specialist, Facilities (BS, Trevecca Nazarene College)

Christopher Schmersahl, Professor, English (BA, Southern Illinois University; MA, University of Missouri-St. Louis)

Jodi Schoen, Coordinator, Career Programs (BS, Greenville College; MS, University of Illinois Springfield)

Barry Schwalbe, Program Coordinator, Workforce Development Division (AS, Richland Community College; BS, Eastern Illinois University; MBA, University of Illinois-Springfield)

Steven Shields, Custodian

David Shiley, Outreach Coordinator, Agriculture Programs (BS, MS, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale)

Nicholas Shook, Technical Services Specialist II (AAS, Richland Community College)

Allison Shuppara, Lead, Student Success Coach, Student Success (AA, Richland Community College; BA, Southern Illinois University)

Brian Silotto, Director of Major and Planned Giving, Foundation (BS, Culver-Stockton College, MS, Western Illinois University)

Jason Smith, Associate Professor, Physics (BS, BA, Eastern Illinois University; MS, Indiana University)

Kristy Smith, Accounts Payable, Business Office

Jess Smithers, Director, Agricultural Programs (AS, Lincoln Land Community College; BS, MS University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

Amy Snow, Assistant Director, Human Resources (BS, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale)

Raquel Spain, Supervisor, Food Service, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Erin Spanberger, Institutional Researcher (BA, Southern Illinois University)

Michelle Stephens, Professor, Communication and Theatre (BA, University of Northern Iowa; MA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Ethan Stephenson, Instructor, English (BA, Eastern Illinois University; MA, University of Northern Colorado; PhD, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale)

Carol Stokes, Associate Professor, Biology (AS, Richland Community College; BS, Eastern Illinois University; MS, University of Illinois-Springfield)

A. Scott Strater, Maintenance II–Lead Custodial

Sherry Strocher, Custodian

George Strohl, Automotive Tech Instructor, Workforce Development (AAS, Richland Community College)

Jessica Tallent, Grant Accountant, Business Office (AAS, Richland Community College; BA, University of Illinois, Springfield)

Gina Taylor, Director, Essential Skills, EnRich (BS, Southern Illinois University)

Terrence Taylor, Essential Skills Facilitator, EnRich (AA, Richland Community College)

Krystle Temple, Director, Adult Education (BA, Millikin University)

Tabitha Tester, Operations Coordinator, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Alisha Thomas, Navigator/Recruiter, EnRich Healthcare Program (AAS, Richland Community College)

Amanda Thomas, Cashier l, Business Office

Jennifer Thomas, Instructor, English (AA, Richland Community College; BA, Illinois State University; MA, University of Central Florida)

Tamika Thomas, Coordinator, EnRich Health Care Program (BS, Eastern Illinois University, MS, Ashford University)

Brian Tucker, Director, Culinary Arts Institute (BPS, Culinary Institute of America)

Mia Jackson Tyus, Coordinator, Minority Mentor Protégé Program, EnRich (MBA, Millikin University)

Clifton Ulbricht, Accommodations Specialist, Academic Success Center (BA, Illinois State University)

Antonio Valdez, Solutions Specialist, Student Success (AS, Central Wyoming College)

Cristobal Valdez, President (BA, University of Montana; MA, Eastern Washington University; EdD, Oregon State University)

Karen Vercellino, Associate Professor, Nursing (BS, University of Tennessee; BSN, Millikin University; MSN, University of Phoenix)

Marie Vercellino, Food Service Manager, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (AAS, Richland Community College)

Taylor Vidmar, English Specialist, Academic Success Center (BA, University of Illinois; MA, University of Illinois)

Mary Beth Wade, Professor, Psychology (BA, Johns Hopkins University; MA, PhD, University of Massachusetts)

Samuel Jason Walker, Deputy Commander, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center (BA, Western Illinois University; Certification, FBI National Academy)

Madison Walton, Administrative Assistant, Academic Success Center (BA, Eastern Illinois University)

Susan Webster, Coordinator, Student Engagement, Student Success (AAS, Richland Community College)

Schuy Weishaar, Instructor, English (BA, Trevecca Nazarene College; M Theological Studies, Duke University; PhD, Middle Tennessee State University)

Kathy White, Skilled Trades Specialist, Workforce Development (BS Bradley University; MEd, Special Education, University of Illinois)

Travis White, Instructor, Mathematics (AA, AS, Danville Area Community College; BA, MA, Eastern Illinois University)

Matthew Wiediger, Associate Professor, Psychology (BS, MS, PhD, Washington State University)

Kristina Wilson, Student Success Coach I, Student Success (AS, Richland Community College)

Claire Woods, Food Service and Housekeeping, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center

Traci Yates, Custodian

Niki Yeaman, Online Support Specialist, Teaching & Learning (Certificate, Richland Community College)

Sheree Zalanka, Vice President, Financial Services, Business Office (BS, Millikin University)

Teena Zindel-McWilliams, Director, Institutional and Academic Planning (BA, Eureka College)

Isaac Zúñiga, Executive Vice President, Academic and Student Services (BA, Arizona State University; ME, Northern Arizona University; EdD, National Louis University)

Rebekah Zúñiga, Director, EnRich Healthcare Program (ADN, Malcolm X College, BS, Arizona State University)