Congratulations to the 35 Rio Salado College instructors who were recently recognized at the college’s 2026 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty awards. Instructors were recognized for demonstrating excellence in teaching and/or assessments of student learning.
Here are this year’s honorees, along with an excerpt from their nominations.
Desiree Alejandro - Partnerships
Desiree demonstrates excellence in course development, instructional delivery, and student engagement. She creates high-quality training materials, builds relevant and engaging content, and delivers both classroom and hands-on training for new contact center agents.
Agatha Andersen - Physical Science
Agatha actively listens to students to continually assess their understanding of the material and design strategies. She believes that making mistakes is an important part of learning, allowing students to have a growth mindset and feel confident in tackling real-world problems.
Talitha Baker - Business and Management
Talitha works tirelessly to ensure that students submit quality, original work that reflects the lesson content. She connects student responses to her own professional experiences so students recognize how the lesson material relates to the greater marketing landscape.
Stanley Bristol - Mathematics
Stan is a dedicated and highly respected educator whose more than 30 years of experience have made a lasting impact on countless students. A long-time online and dual enrollment instructor, Stan brings both depth of knowledge and genuine care to every interaction.
Sandy Budde - Educator Preparation Programs
Sandy is an exceptional high school Career and Technical Education teacher who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success. She inspires and motivates her students to pursue their goals and see themselves as future professionals in the field.
Lisa Byers - Biology
Lisa has an unwavering dedication to student achievement. Her ability to anticipate student needs and address challenges fosters a supportive learning environment. By consistently providing substantive feedback, Lisa deepens mastery of complex biological concepts.
Dr. Maile Canlas - Humanities, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
Maile has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to student success and advocacy within her work. Her inspiring teaching style resonates with her students and fosters a commitment to excellence within the field.
Rick Diaz - Adult Education
Rick creates an environment where students feel seen, supported, and inspired to persist. His belief in their potential fuels their success and keeps them engaged through completion. Rick is an all-star educator, making a lasting impact on both students and staff.
Lyda DiTommaso Downs - Counseling and Personal Development
Lyda has provided exemplary support and assistance to hundreds of students navigating the day-to-day challenges of college life. She thoughtfully assesses each student’s situation, consults with colleagues, and ensures that every student remains at the center of her attention.
Adam Dregely - Addiction Studies and Behavioral Science
Adam approaches his work with professionalism, innovation, and compassion. He demonstrates forward-thinking leadership through the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence into course design and learning activities, helping prepare students for the evolving workforce.
Janelle Elias - Accounting and Small Business
Janelle is always willing to innovate and pilot initiatives that strengthen student learning and engagement. She was also one of the first instructors to integrate the 21st Century Skills badge into her course, demonstrating her commitment to preparing students with career-ready skills.
Ruth I. Embelton - Accounting and Small Business
A highly skilled subject matter expert, Ruth effectively blends practical business experience with strong academic instruction. Her feedback is detailed, constructive, and encouraging, helping students strengthen their writing, critical thinking, and business decision-making skills.
Yolanda A. Facio - Accounting and Small Business
Yolanda consistently demonstrates professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to student success. She creates a positive and engaging learning environment that guides students while maintaining high academic standards.
Ranjana George - Biology
Ranjana has distinguished herself as an exceptional Dual Enrollment instructor. By emphasizing active observation and engagement over rote note-taking, she makes complex topics accessible and skillfully builds student confidence within a rigorous STEM curriculum.
Cassandra Gerhard - Partnerships
Cassandra is one of the most dedicated and effective instructors at the AZ Department of Public Safety. She consistently provides recommendations to improve curriculum and course delivery. Her positive attitude and passion for teaching make her an invaluable member of our team.
Aisha M. Goettl – Biology
Aisha has evolved into the department’s foremost expert in developing robust, engaging, accessible at-home laboratories that uphold the rigor of a traditional in-person experience. She goes beyond traditional grading and acts as a mentor in the learning process.
Therese Govert - Physical Science
Students in Terry’s chemistry classes may not even realize they are in online courses. She has the unique ability to make students feel as if she is right beside them. She takes time to explain tricky lab procedures and calculations, helping students become successful in chemistry.
Shahpar Islam - Computer Technology
Shahpar exemplifies excellence in teaching and innovation. His leadership in the development and continuous improvement of Amazon Web Services curriculum has significantly enhanced student learning and workforce readiness.
Jeremiah Jensen - Administration of Justice and Paralegal
Jeremiah’s commitment to quality instruction creates a rigorous yet supportive learning environment. He is reliable, responsive, and encouraging, managing his courses effectively and demonstrating the priority he so clearly places on the success of his students.
Ginny Krauss - Educator Preparation Programs
Ginny brings a strong, student-centered approach to every course she leads. She sets clear expectations while creating a supportive environment where students feel confident to grow and take risks in their learning.
Jenny Lane - Social Sciences
Jenny is a valued member of the Social Sciences Department through her contributions to the teaching and learning experience, and to her analysis of assessments. Jenny has continued to adapt along with our students by incorporating a variety of engaging assessments in her classes.
Ricky Stephon Magee - Computer Technology
Ricky has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing AI innovations and implementing best practices for virtual server environments, significantly enhancing instructional quality. He supports students in resolving complex technical challenges with professionalism and care.
Andrew J. Mathews - Administration of Justice and Paralegal
Andrew exemplifies expertise, dedication to students, and a genuine commitment to excellence in teaching and course design. He teaches courses in Forensics and Administration of Justice, where he demonstrates a strong commitment to student learning and engagement.
Thomas McGlew – STEM
Bringing a wealth of experience from the semiconductor industry, Tom refreshed courses in the certificate program and progressed to teaching. As an adjunct faculty, he is a caring and supportive instructor, always on the lookout for opportunities to improve the program.
Wendi Morris – Mathematics
Wendi is an exceptional educator whose commitment to student success exemplifies the very best of online instruction. She goes above and beyond by offering personalized support, meeting students where they are and helping them persist through challenges.
Julie Petersen, MC, LPC, LIAC, NCC - Addiction Studies and Behavioral Science
Julie brings both deep knowledge and genuine humanity to a subject that demands both. She has been an invaluable member of the ASD/BHS faculty. Students appreciate her dedication to their learning and growth.
Tricia Phillips - Educator Preparation Programs
Tricia has consistently demonstrated flexibility and dedication by teaching courses both in-person and online. Her positive, can-do attitude and strong commitment to student success have made meaningful contributions to the department’s student completion goals.
Michael Pyer - Applied Technology and Engineering
Michael is an exceptional trades instructor at West-MEC and is a true practitioner in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Michael brings real-world expertise directly into the classroom and lab.
Brandon Quezada – English
Brandon teaches English literature courses as a dual enrollment instructor. He uses a variety of techniques to keep his classroom vibrant and motivating. Students find his classroom an encouraging, safe, and energy-filled environment where they are challenged to learn.
Cheryl Quitoriano - Business and Management
What sets Cheryl apart is the care she brings to her classes. She thoughtfully reviews course material, offering meaningful improvements that can lead to significant gains in student success. She creates a learning environment where students feel supported and motivated.
Tim Rosinbum - History and Geography
Tim has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to both the craft of teaching and the discipline of history. As an instructor at Rio, he brings a unique blend of engaging pedagogy and a passion for connecting students to the past to better understand the present and future.
Dr. Gabriela Rosu - Computer Technology
Gabriela’s work reflects a strong commitment to student success, innovation, and workforce-relevant learning. She brings academic expertise, industry awareness, and a student-centered approach to support learners in developing meaningful technology skills.
Alex Spence – Psychology
Alex has been a dedicated and valued member of the Psychology Department for 17 years. He currently provides PSY101 print-based instruction to our incarcerated student population, ensuring students have access to high-quality education in a meaningful and impactful way.
Jeremy Webb – English
Jeremy has been a valuable member of the English Department since 2017. He demonstrates passion for student success in every interaction he has with students, from his informative announcements to his timely, constructive feedback and thoughtful guidance.
Dariusz Jan Zieba - Adult Education
Dariusz exemplifies excellence in instruction through his unwavering dedication to student success. His commitment to data-driven instruction resulted in exceptional student outcomes, with over 80 percent of his English Language Learners achieving an academic measurable skills gain.