SPAIC Membership

SPAIC Co-Chairs

(photo credit: Severin Candrian via Unsplash): Image of a variegated Scindapsus Pictus with white-spotted green leaves in front of a white background.

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Student Services Analyst, Office of Student Experience & Leadership
  • Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) Representative
  • desiree.farnal@scottsdalecc.edu

About me: I am originally from Watsonville, CA, and moved to Glendale, AZ after receiving my Masters in Sociology of Education from New York University. I am a first-generation college graduate and a child of immigrant parents from the Philippines. My professional interests include creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to critically engage with topics on race and identity, and centering the needs of minoritized students. My partner and I have a dog (Sunny), a bearded dragon (Davis), and a Mexican Fireleg tarantula (Durantula Tapatio).

Acrylic painting of a field with brown waving grass and four white flowers and a hummingbird profile

About Me: I am a first-generation college graduate and am part of a military family. I identify as an ally and accomplice of minoritized populations. For 10 years, I taught Sociology at a community college with an emphasis Racial & Ethnic Relations and Urban Sociology. I have certifications as a Safe Zone (LGBTQAI+), in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership. In addition to being a data nerd and social justice advocate, I enjoy being creative by baking and painting. My picture is of one of my favorite painting projects.

SPAIC Members

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About Me: I’ve been working at SCC since November 2020. I moved to Phoenix from Madison, Wisconsin, where I worked as a high school librarian and teen services librarian at a public library. I was involved in the Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums Project out of University of Wisconsin-Madison, which was a really transformational experience for me! I’m a strong believer that books are ways to build community, connect with one another, and strengthen our empathy skills. Some other things about me: I love reading, writing letters, hiking, puzzles, and pinball.

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Chris Cwierz

I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA. I am a first generation college graduate where I completed my AAS in baking and pastry, since then I have obtained a BA in hospitality business management, and an MBA. I identify as the G in the LGTBQIA community, I believe in advocating the underserved communities. I have been married to my husband for 21 years. We enjoy traveling, art, great food and genuine friends. In my free time I enjoy learning about different cultures, fitness (bodybuilding) and being a plant dad.

Diedre’ is wearing a traditional three-tiered masani skirt with floral designs and blue, yellow, white ribbon. She is also wearing buckskin wrap moccasins, traditional Navajo sash belt, silver concho belt and Navajo squash blossom jewelry in turquoise.

About Me: Ya'át'éeh. Naakai dine'é nishłí. Tabąąhá bashishchiin. Kinyaa'aani dashicheii. Honágháahnii dashinalí. I am Mexican clan born for the Water Edge people, my maternal grandfather is of the Towering House clan and my paternal grandfather is of the One Who Walks Around clan. I am originally from Coalmine Mesa, Arizona and this is how I present myself as a Dine’ Asdzáá. My educational background includes American Indian Studies, Public Administration and Public Health.

I am a firm believer that part of restoring healthy frameworks and habits is educating ourselves on the social inequalities and implications that demographics are faced with. Advocacy for my people and communities has always been my passion. When I refer to my people and community, it is in reference to all my Indigenous relatives and all Indian country. I have always known that my work and purpose is driven by my ancestors that came before me, and it is a purpose that I hold dear to my heart.

A portrait photo of a white male smiling with brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing glasses. He is wearing a button-down shirt with a collar that has a white, yellow, and blue plaid pattern. The background is varying gray tones.

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Residential Psychology Faculty
  • Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning & PAR Coordinator
  • eric.haas@scottsdalecc.edu

About Me: I have been a faculty member at Scottsdale Community College for over 20 years. In addition to my role as a psychology faculty member, I also serve as the PAR Coordinator and the interim Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. I am married and have 3 children and 2 dogs. I spend most of my free time with my family or being outside. I enjoy hiking, cycling, in-line skating, and playing just about any sport (especially hockey, ultimate, and basketball). I hate jogging but will do it if I can't get some exercise in another way.

A picture of my cat, River. He is a white, long haired cat with black, gray, and brown markings with a brown and pink nose. He has blue eyes and is hanging over on his navy blue cat tower looking down at the camera.

My career started at Tri-State University in Indiana, where I studied English Education and earned my Bachelor’s Degree. After teaching for three years, I pursued my Master’s Degree in School Counseling at IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis). In 2010, I relocated to Arizona with my family. I spent a little over ten years as a School Counselor with Cave Creek Unified School District. One of my most recent positions was the Assistant Director of Student Services at American Leadership Academy West Foothills. I am passionate about helping all students be successful and reach their goals. In my free time, I enjoy being with my family (my husband, two boys, two dogs, and two cats), reading, hiking, and working puzzles. I just started my career with SCC in January 2024, but I am loving being a part of the Artichoke community.

Field, pine tree, and mountain landscape photo from Yosemite National Park.

I have lived and worked all over the US and so have bits and pieces of lots of different regions of the country. I have a doctorate in Theology and Culture with particular focus on the way culture shapes communal ritual and creates positive change. I have taught in graduate programs at Boston College, The Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, and Loyola University New Orleans where we prepared our students to work in diverse and often underserved communities. I am deeply committed to DEI action and growth to promote justice. I have particular interest in how global warming and climate change are having a disproportionate impact on populations that live in high vulnerability.

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I began working for SCC Human Resources in April 2016 and currently hold the position of talent acquisition analyst. Before this role, I worked for the District Office Payroll department for more than a year and had my own business for a number of years. I have certifications as SHRM-CP, SHRM People Analytics, and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace. I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Education at Northern Arizona University (NAU). I am married with two children, three grandchildren, three dogs, two cats, and a fish. I spend much of my free time with my family traveling, eating and enjoying quality time together. I also like to read, crochet, and make eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars. I advocate for leading a respectful and compassionate life that avoids harm to others or to the environment.

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I began working for Scottsdale Community College over fourteen years ago as a faculty member. I currently serve as an Associate Dean of Instruction. I believe SCC provides an ideal space for students to engage with social and civic politics, especially related to LGBTQ+ rights.

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A portrait photo of a white woman smiling with chin-length brown hair, blue framed glasses, and a nose piercing. She is wearing a royal blue button-down shirt with a black blazer. The background includes a light brown lattice fence with fall vines along the top on the left and a rock bed on the right.

I’ve been adjunct faculty at SCC in the Natural Sciences division since 2015 where I’ve been fortunate to do what I love - connecting students to the natural world. My priorities as a teacher are to ensure that all students feel safe, valued, supported, and integral to our learning community.

A portrait photo of a man with short, brown hair wearing a green polo and black glasses.

About Me: Graduated from ASU with a Master’s in Higher & Postsecondary Education in 2021. I started my career here at SCC in the Welcome Center about 2 and a half years ago. I also help out in the Testing Center. I’m very excited about my new role in DRS. My interests include comic books, Nintendo video games, anime, baking and my favorite pastime, watching T.V. My favorite shows include The Office, Friends, Parks and Recreation, NewsRadio, Community, Wings, Frasier, and so much more. I am also a big fan of classic hand-drawn animation; some of my favorite animators include Don Bluth, Hayao Miyazaki, Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and Genndy Tartakovsky.

1 operated with 4 = 10. 2 operated with 5 = 14. 6 operated with 10 = 40. 9 operated with 11 = 30.

I have personal academic interests in mathematics, statistics, and logic. I have research interests in mathematics education and statistics education. I like puzzles. Solve the puzzle: 1 operated with 4 equals 10. 2 operated with 5 equals 14. 6 operated with 10 equals 40. 9 operated with 11 equals 30. What is the value of 1 operated with 10?

A white woman with shoulder length blonde hair wearing a black tank top, jeans, and black ballet flat shoes. A beige purse with a brown strap hangs from her right shoulder across to her left hip. She is holding a pink leash attached to a black fluffy dog sitting at her left leg with a service dog vest and rainbow collar. They are on a concrete and stone walkway with green bushes and trees, a wall with plaques, black tables, buildings, and grass behind them.

About me: My name is JamieLynn Ann Cooner. Most people call me Jamie, Mrs. Cooner, or Professor Cooner. I am a mother, a wife, a veteran, a supervisor, and a lifelong learner, to name a few. I retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service. I have traveled to many places around the world with the Air Force. Also, I have been deployed to a wartime environment three times. I have three children and a grandchild: 32, 24, and 21. I am also a Mimi of a 14-year-old granddaughter and a 7-month-old granddaughter. I am married to a wonderful husband who happens to be my best friend. I hold an AAS in Law Enforcement, a BS in Biology, and an MSF in Forensic Science. I am writing my dissertation for my EdD in Education, emphasizing Forensic Science Policy and Procedure. I enjoy and am fortunate to be a full-time teacher here at Scottsdale Community College.

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About Me: I have been a counselor at SCC since Fall of 2022, and also taught as an adjunct faculty at several of the Maricopa Community Colleges since 2017. Before working here I was a counselor in community mental health, and in a previous life before that I practiced and taught in another healthcare field. Somewhere in the middle of it all I got an art degree here at SCC, and I still like to paint when I can. I dream of a world where higher education is accessible, welcoming, and culturally responsive for everyone who wants to pursue it. I am grateful to be part of a group like SPAIC who is working together toward that ideal.

A portrait photo of a person with brown hair, sunglasses on top of head, wearing a black jacket and red shirt on the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. This is very memorable to me as I did walk from one end to the other end of the Golden Gate Bridge and was able to ride on a hop on hop off bus touring San Francisco on my way back. It was a great experience seeing San Francisco. I wish to be back there in less cold weather.

About Me: I've been a Hospitality Management student since 2024 and grateful for the support and opportunity to be part of SPAIC. I feel honored to be part of a welcoming space and I feel that with the warm support of faculty and staff on campus. I have worked in the business process outsourcing industry for a couple of years doing project management and customer service, and also ventured on some entrepreneurial projects. I am from the Philippines and I love traveling and islands, and I hope to show how warm the Philippines is, not just with the weather, but also the people and would love to show you our culture and food. Please feel free to say hi to me when you meet me on campus.

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About Me: Hello everyone, my name is Isaiah Olayinka and I’m a student athlete playing basketball here at SCC. I’m originally from Providence, Rhode Island, but recently moved to Arizona from Dallas Which has been home for the past 15 years of my life. I’m a very hard working young man, who’s passionate about basketball, and has a tenacious work ethic - challenging any obstacle I come across in life. I’ve felt very honored to be apart of SPAIC, as I feel this is an opportunity to help the athletics department get a little more exposure and more involved with our school activities, but also getting to be apart of a committee that wants to push for student involvement is something way more rewarding to be apart of! Feel free to come to any of our games as our schedule is on the SCC athletics page, there’s no cost for attendance and I can assure you’ll have a great time watching our men’s basketball team! Just a little more about me before I finish up. I’m into Star Wars, Revenge of the sith being my favorite movie of the series and my 3rd favorite movie of all time. I obsess over the Percy Jackson books, especially the Hero’s of Olympus series, and I’ve been into anime since I was a kid, with Obito Uchiha being my favorite anime character of all time. Thank you for learning a little about me, have a blessed day!

Text for Photo: Yusef standing in front of a red brick wall and is wearing a collared, short sleeved dark polo.

About Me: My name is pronounced Yu-sef. I am an Aries. I was born in D.C. and raised in New York and Maryland.

Text for Photo: A photo of a woman captured from the waist up, smiling warmly as she looks directly at the camera. She is an American Indian with long, brown hair, dressed in a white blouse and a black blazer, complemented by a striking turquoise necklace. Her arms rest naturally at her sides, projecting a confident and approachable demeanor.

About Me: S-ke:g tas (O'odham word for good day),

My name is Belinda Gutierrez, and I am an educator with over 15 years of experience in the Maricopa Community College District. During my tenure, I’ve served in various roles supporting student affairs initiatives and programs focused on improving college access and success for diverse populations, with a particular emphasis on Native American students. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and I am an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. As the eldest of ten siblings—four sisters and five brothers—I’ve embraced leadership and family values from a young age. I am also a proud wife, mother, sister, and daughter. I married my teenage crush, and together we have three wonderful children: two sons and one daughter, ages 24, 16, and 13. I hold a Master’s degree from the University of North Dakota, which has deepened my commitment to addressing the unique challenges Indigenous students face in higher education. Additionally, my passion for science led me to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Arizona State University—yes, I’m a proud science nerd! In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors through running and hiking, and I love to bake whenever my schedule allows. These activities keep me grounded and energized as I continue my work to support students and communities..