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

Photo image of a bright cloudy sky with two trees and the top of a building viewable at the bottom.

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.

Earth with a black background.

 

A painting representing the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People with a dark gray background.

I am Akimel O’otham and a member of the Gila River Indian Community from Casa Blanca. I am a first generation college student with a focus in Education, History, and American Indian Studies. I see the inequities our students face in education and feel obligated to not only assist Native American students but any student of color. I want to be an advocate for SCC students and take action to improve experiences for all students. I use my platform at SCC to advocate for issues Native Americans face. The painting included represents the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People and I hope to raise awareness on this matter.

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.

Text for Photo: Earth with a black background.

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.

A photo of a woman with brown hair wearing a white fluffy jacket, and is holding up two fingers to make a peace sign. She sits smiling in front of windows with the sun shining behind her.

About Me: Gabriela is an international student from Toronto, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Nutrition. Gabriela is currently completing her second degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition here at SCC (Scottsdale Community College). She’s a work study in the Outreach and Recruitment department. Gabriela is a new member of SPAIC (Scottsdale Promoting an Inclusive Community). She is passionate about health, wellness and helping others. In her spare time she loves to cook, travel, be active and volunteer at Home Fur Good Animal Shelter.

Sunset with a cloudy sky over water landscape photo.

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.

Earth with a black background.

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?