Moraine Valley Community College || Honors Program || Faculty

Faculty

Gretchen Bernard
Office A150
Phone (708) 608-4224
bernard@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors Learning Community Curriculum BIO-112 and Ethics
Non-Honors BIO-112 Diversity of Life, BIO-111 Unity of Life, and BIO-220 Ecology and Field Biology
Education
B.A. Biological Anthropology, University of California, San Diego
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
I love biology and I want my students to love, or at least like, it too! I try to involve students by using peer teaching, active learning and field and experiential labs. I hope my students discover that Biology is relevant to their lives and to their role as responsible citizens.
Research/Professional Interests
The two subjects in Biology in which I am most interested are Ecology and Evolution. I like to get outside and am an active member of the Nature Study Area Committee. As part of the Illinois Dragonfly Monitoring Program, I conduct research on dragonfly diversity and abundance on the Moraine Valley Campus. I am also interested in prairie restoration.

Douglass F. Bratt
Office F126G
Phone (708) 974-5215
bratt@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors MUS-106, Introduction to American Music
Non-Honors Moraine Valley Jazz Ensemble (MUS-151), Moraine Valley Concert Band (MUS-171), Moraine Valley Percussion Ensemble (MUS-109), Applied Percussion (MUS-191), Introduction to American Music (MUS-106), Music Appreciation (MUS-107)
Education
M.M., Northern Illinois University (Emphasis in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy)
B.A., Northern Illinois University (Music)
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison (History)
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
My goal is to help students begin to truly appreciate music by broadening their exposure to different styles of music and artists with which they may have had limited or no prior experience. I believe that it is not my place to dictate to students what kinds of music they should like or dislike, but rather, I hope that through exposure to a wide variety of music, they become more objective, critical listeners and are thus able to make informed decisions themselves. Furthermore, I believe that my role as a music educator is to foster the growth of life-long music "fans" who maintain music as a integral part of their daily lives.
Research/Professional Interests
Percussion performance
Jazz history
Music of the African diaspora
History and evolution of the drum set
Co-leader of the Stone/Bratt Big Band
Leader of the Doug Bratt Group
Active professional musician in and around the Chicago area since 1994
Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society
Educator/Endorser for Promark Sticks and Mallets
Invited Appearances
Elk Grove High School
Vandercook College of Music
Truman State University Jazz Festival
University of Missouri-Columbia
Selected Recordings
More Songs About Devils and Dreams, Tim Berry, Tim Berry Music, September 2011
Stone Bratt Big Band, Stone/Bratt Big Band, Stone Bratt Music, April 2008
For Lack of Better Words, Liam Teague & Robert Chappell, Rhythmic Union Records, July 2002
Where to Begin, The Doug Bratt Group, Doug Bratt Music, April 1997

Eric DeVillez
Office A238
Phone (708) 608-4106
devillez@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors COM-101,102, LIT-220
Non-Honors COM-101,102,106,107,151-54, LIT-220
Education
B.A. English major; Anthropology minor, Illinois State University
M.F.A. Creative Writing, Roosevelt University
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
It's best to be myself in the classroom, no facades; it allows us - teacher and students - to get real in regards to whatever it is we happen to be doing at any given time during class. Such allows for student and teacher accountability, and more importantly, it allows for conceptual thinking and learning.
Research/Professional Interests
Composition, Contemporary poetry and fiction, Creative Writing Club
Awards and Publications
A handful of poems scattered through journals of minor consequence

Thomas Dow, Ph.D.
Office D115
Phone (708) 974-5775
dow@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors LIT-220
Non-Honors COM-101, COM-102, LIT-220, LIT-221, LIT-222, LIT-225
Education
Ph.D. English, Loyola University Chicago, 2006
M.A. English, Loyola University Chicago, 1996
A.B. Wabash College, 1989
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
We all learn every day, all the time. When we are engaged and connected to each other and shared texts, amazing things happen.
Research/Professional Interests
Composition, Victorian Fiction, Leadership
Awards and Publications
Innovation of the Year (with Troy Swanson), 2002
"Thackeray's Waterloo." Publication of the Illinois Philological Association 1.1 (1997). Online. Internet. Available http//www.eiu.edu/~english/ipa/pipa/volume/dow.htm.

William Droel
Office U204
Phone (708) 974-5221
droelb@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors PHI-225 Bioethics, PHI-120 World Religion
Non-Honors PHI-101 Intro. to Philosophy, PHI-120 World Religion, HUM-101 & 102 Ancient Humanities
Education
B.A. Sociology, St. John Fisher College
M.A. Religious Studies, Mundelein College
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
I use different methods to reach various teaching styles.
Research/Professional Interests
Intersection of faith and work
The Immigrant Experience
Awards and Publications
Recent books include a treatment of the philosophy of work and a history of Catholics in Chicago

Josh Fulton
Office A248
Phone (708) 608-4183
fultonj4@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors HIS-201, HIS-202
Non-Honors HIS-101, 102, 105, 201, 202
Education
B.A. History, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003
M.A. History, Eastern Illinois University, 2005
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
It is my goal to help students navigate the path of lifelong learning.
Research/Professional Interests
Northern Homefront politics - 1860s, Vietnam era 'Silent Majority'
Awards and Publications
A series of Conference Presentations

Laura Lauzen-Collins, Ph.D.
Office L285
Phone (708) 608-4021
Lauzen-CollinsL@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors PSY-105 Child Psychology
Non-Honors PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology, PSY-104 Lifespan Development and Social Psychology, PSY-105 Child Psychology
Education
B.A. Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994
M.S. Social and Health Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 1997
Ph.D. Social and Health Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 2001
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
I believe that students learn and retain information when they are fully engaged in the class and thinking critically about the material. As a result, I feel that it is essential to get students involved in the course through immersing them in the subject and engaging them in critical thinking about the subject using a variety of techniques, materials, and technologies both inside and outside of class.
Research/Professional Interests
Perceived control and its physiological ramifications make up the organizing themes of my research interests. This research program includes theory-driven basic and applied research lines addressing issues of loss of control, burnout, cognitive adaptation, and health-related issues.
Awards and Publications (please note my last name used to be Browning)
Excellence in Teaching Award, 2007, DePaul University
Moskowitz Annual Teaching Award, 2001, University of Pittsburgh
Browning, L., Rolniak, S., Greenberg, M., & Larkin, G. (2001). Cross-sectional survey of burnout in emergency and non-emergency nurses. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 27, 424.*
*published abstract
Browning, L., Ryan, C. S., Greenberg, M. S., & Rolniak, S. (2006). Effects of cognitive adaptation on the expectation-burnout relationship among nurses. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29(2), 139-150.
Browning, L., Ryan, C. S., Thomas, S., Greenberg, M. & Rolniak, S. (2007). Nursing specialty and burnout. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 12(2), 248-254.
Delahanty, D. L., Dougall, A. L., Browning, L. J., Hyman, K. B., & Baum, A. (1999). Duration of stressor and natural killer cell activity. Psychology and Health, 13, 1121-1134.
Rolniak, S., Browning, L., MacLeod, B. A., & Cockley, P. (2004). Prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use among urban emergency department patients. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 30, 318-324.

Keith Nabb
Office C242
Phone (708) 974-5592
nabb@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors MTH-150
Non-Honors MTH-150, MTH-151, MTH-152, MTH-201
Education
B.A. Secondary Education (Mathematics), Rhode Island College, 1997
M.S. Mathematics, Texas Tech University, 2000
Ph.D. Mathematics Education (in progress), Illinois Institute of Technology, expected 2012/13
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
Channeling positive energy into mathematics . . . in order for us to say we have learned a mathematical idea, we must appreciate the what, when, how, and why of that idea.
Research/Professional Interests
Mathematical thinking, Technology use in mathematics, Reform in mathematics/science education
Awards and Publications
Nabb, K. (2010). Pitfalls of personally constructed learning devices. Learning and Teaching Mathematics, 8, 41-45.
Nabb, K.A. (2010). The back page Functions, functions everywhere. Mathematics Teacher, 104 (3), 240.
Nabb, K.A. (2010). A close encounter with infinity Inventing new mathematics. Mathematics Teacher, 104 (5), 373-378.
Nabb, K.A. (2011). A new perspective on related rates. MathAMATYC Educator, 2 (2), 24-26.
Nabb, K.A. (2011). Trying something new Unlecturing mathematics. NISOD Innovation Abstracts, 33 (6), 1-2.
Meyer, D.Z., Antink Meyer, A., Nabb, K.A., Connell, M.G., & Avery, L. M. (to appear). A theoretical and empirical exploration of intrinsic problems in designing inquiry activities. Research in Science Education.
Nabb, K.A. (to appear). Exploratory thinking on a nonroutine calculus task. Mathematics Teacher.

Dan Pal
Office F228
pal@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors THE-107 Film Appreciation
Non-Honors THE-107 Film Appreciation, THE-111 History of Film
Education
M.A. Humanities (Film focus), University of Chicago
M.Ed. Education, Loyola University Chicago
B.A. Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
My goal is to get students to look at film in new ways. By exposing them to a variety of films, American, Non-American, Silent, International and more, students learn to look at film as an art form rather than as a consumed product.
Research/Professional Interests
Graduate research included Iranian, Italian, Indian, and German Cinema, as well as the work of specific directors such as Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock, Fritz Lang, Abbas Kiarostami, and Federico Fellini.
I critique films on WDCB (90.9 FM) on a weekly basis as well as host a film podcast (www.palcinema.com). I also am a member of the DuPage Film Group - a networking source for filmmakers, screenwriters, editors, etc. I also have written my own screenplays. In addition to Moraine Valley, I teach the Digital Cinema Program at DePaul University where I teach such courses as Foundations of Cinema, Film Philosophy, Introduction to Screenwriting, History of Film Editing, The Films of Woody Allen, The Films of Alfred Hitchcock, The Films of the Coen Brothers, among others.

Craig Rosen, Ph.D.
Office F246
Phone (708) 974-5432
rosen@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors THE-105 Theater Appreciation
Non-Honors THE-105 Theater Appreciation, THE-110 Theater History, THE-115 Acting 1, THE-116 Acting 2
Education
Ph.D. Theater focus, University of Colorado - Boulder
M.A. Theater, Emerson College
B.A. Theater, Temple University
Research/Professional Interests
Theater Director (various credits in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Boulder markets)
Member of Joseph Jefferson Awards committee (Jeff Awards), which recognizes excellence in theater throughout the Chicago community.
Respondent for American College Theater Festival
State of Illinois Articulation Initiative Theater Committee, Panel member
Awards and Publications
J.D.A. Ogilvy Fellowship for British Research
Theater Critic, City Nights magazine (Minneapolis, MN)

Kristen R. Schreck, D.A.
Office D108
Phone (708) 974-5614
schreckk@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors MTH-150 Calculus I, MTH-151 Calculus II
Non-Honors MTH-210 Linear Algebra, MTH-201 Differential Equations, MTH-150,151,152 Calculus I, II, III, MTH-143 Finite Mathematics, MTH-142 Trigonometry
Education
B.S. Electrical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology
M.S. Pure Mathematics, University of Illinois at Chicago
D.A. Mathematics, University of Illinois at Chicago
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
My goal is to personally involve students in the discovery of the mathematics we are studying. I try to create a classroom setting that engages and challenges students using innovative teaching methods and well-chosen problems to promote lively, in depth, discussions of the concepts presented. I strive to stimulate creative, analytical thought in a setting that affords every student the opportunity to succeed.
Research/Professional Interests

• Dissertation Computer Methods in Differential Geometry and Descriptive Geometry; Monge's Legacy
• My mathematical/teaching interests include differential geometry; geometry of curves and surfaces in 3-space and modern geometry; creating interactive worksheets and animations of mathematical theorems and applications using Maple, Sage, and GeoGebra; incorporating the history of mathematics into my courses

Michael J. Shannon
Office A266
Phone (708) 608-4047
shannon@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors COM-103
Non-Honors COM-103
Education
B.A., M.A., Eastern Illinois University
Teaching Philosophy
I work to create a fun learning environment where students can learn and master the art of public speaking.
Research/Professional Interests
Nonverbal communication
Technology
Awards and Publications
2009/2010 Advisor of the Year for Christian Fellowship Club
MVCC Master Teacher Award 2006-07
TCF Bank 'Customer First' employee of the year award 2002

Jeremy Shermak
Office L283
Phone (708) 608-4212
shermakj@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors COM-101
Non-Honors COM-101, COM-102
Education
M.A. Writing (Concentration Pedagogy), DePaul University, 2004
B.S. Informatics (Cognate Journalism), Indiana University, 2002
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
Teaching effective communication begins by reminding students that they have a 'voice' and this 'voice' is a valuable asset. A student's ability to communicate is often hindered by a lack of confidence. They do not want to 'sound dumb' or 'get it wrong.' They say 'I have nothing to write about' or 'who cares what I think?' This is where students are reminded that the subjects and styles of our writing are not black and white, like mathematics or computer programming. Everyone has perspective. Everyone has a voice. A bolt of lightning witnessed by 100,000 people will be recounted in 100,000 different ways. You will not meet anyone with a life that is perfectly parallel to your own. These truths are what make us unique as communicators and writers.
Research/Professional Interests

• Teaching Career Preparation, Creative Writing, and/or Regional History courses
• Advising/creating student newspaper and/or radio station
• Coordinating community service activities
• Member, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)
• Member, Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA)
• Member, Society of American Baseball Research (SABR)

Awards and Publications
Shermak, J & Rainie, L. 'Search Engine Use' Pew Internet & American Life Project. November 2005.
Shermak, J & Lenhart, A. 'Selling Items Online' Pew Internet & American Life Project. November 2005.
Shermak, J. "Online Photo Resources Emerge as a Popular Community Hub." Measuring Word of Mouth. Vol. 1. Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA), 2005.
Shermak J. 'Blue Water.' Handful of Ghosts (music album). Recorded by Cardiff Giant, 2005.
Shermak J. 'Telegrams/Gasoline.' Bled White (music album). Recorded by Cardiff Giant, 2008.
Shermak, J. 'Brown Fence Ballpark.' Home and Other Places Voices of Southwest Michigan. Ed. S. Britton, R. Callies, P. Campbell, D. Holt. Westernlore, 1998.

Nicholas G. Shizas
Office A114
Phone (708) 608-4121
shizasn2@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology
Non-Honors PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology, PSY-105 Child Psychology, PSY-205 Abnormal Psychology, PSY-211 Human Sexuality, PSY-212 Theories of Personality
Education
B.A. Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
M.A. - Honors - Professional Clinical Psychology - Roosevelt University
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
I try to make my classes creative by providing information in various formats, such as lectures, practical exercises, group projects/presentations, debates and demonstrations of psychology phenomena. In this way I can tap into each student's primary learning style during class time.

When students are in my class it is also my job to prepare them to be critical thinkers. I show them how what they are learning relates to real life situations, outside of the lab setting, and how an understanding of the course material will help them evaluate any new information they might acquire. The analytical and teamwork skills essential to a solid psychology background will be needed in a wide variety of vocations and will prepare the students for their future courses and their livelihood.
Research/Professional Interests
Severe Mental Disorders and Treatment, Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders; Intelligence Testing;
Student Learning and Motivation;
Relaxation Training;
Member of American Psychological Association (APA)
Personal Interests
Traveling; Listening to and playing music; Collecting vinyl records; Spending time with family; Photography
Awards and Publications
MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION
Schewe, P.A., & Shizas, N. Rape prevention with college age males Short-term outcomes of a video-taped program vs. a peer-mediated group discussion

Dawn Wrobel
Office B244
Phone (708) 974-5464
wrobel@morainevalley.edu
Teaches
Honors GEO-101 Cultural/Human Geography
Non-Honors GEO-101 and GEO-102 World Regional Geography
Education
B.S. Geography, Northern Illinois University
M.S. Geography, Northwestern University Computer Career Program,
DePaul University, Chicago Entrepreneurship Program, Purdue University Calumet, Currently pursuing a Ph.D in Holistic Health at AIHT
Teaching/Educational Philosophy
I love geography and know there are many different ways to learn it - and use it. I believe all students should master a group of core skills and then have the flexibility to choose from a menu of activities to match learning styles and educational goals.
Research/Professional Interests
At what time of the day? At the moment, I'm especially interested in the geography of happiness. I worked my way through college as a cartographer (map maker). My first research grant was a study of HMO health care delivery systems. I've always been interested in the human/environment relationship and began my professional career working for the Illinois EPA in planning. Later I made a career move into the computer industry, and then became a serial entrepreneur. My goal is to travel to all the US states and all the continents before I die - I have six states left and two continents left to go - plus a lot more individual places that sound interesting.

Awards and Publications
Wrobel, Dawn with Susan A. Brown, DVM, The Hedgehog An Owners Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet. New York, NY Howell Book House, 1997.
Numerous publications on companion animals and the companion animal industry for trade magazines, consumer magazines, and the Internet.es