Course Listing - by Instructor

Name Biography
Katia Abou-Haidar Katia attained a master's degree in Linguistics from Holy Spirit University in 2010. The main focus of her thesis was an action research in which she administered and conducted a qualitative and quantitative testing methodology to integrate cultural instruction in the ESL teaching/learning process to enhance students' oral communication, taking into consideration the students' verbal and non-verbal skills. Katia has been teaching English as a Second Language for university students for over twelve years within the Necessary and Sufficient English Program (NSEP) that is developed by Georgetown University, Washington D.C. She has adopted a teaching methodology integrating the five English skills together: reading, listening, speaking, writing and interactive listening/speaking. She has also taught English in a business context for bankers of various ages (26-50). She has planned, guided and evaluated students' oral presentations, and taught them the use of Microsoft PowerPoint as an aid to organizing and delivering their public speaking. Katia has prepared native and non-native students for the SAT and TOEFL exams that help measure their English proficiency, and prepares them for university admission. Moreover, she has been teaching Accent Reduction for International Professionals (Levels I and II) at UNLV since 2011, helping professionals to modify their foreign accents to an understandable level for everyday use. All of these years of teaching (since 2002) have helped her select and adopt the best mix of teaching knowledge and experience that is required for the success of every student who has passion for improvement and success.
Dan Anderson
Patty Ascher-Lewis
Nevada Association of Fashion Design
Tonya Bates
Patricia Battie Patricia Battie, an experienced mediator and expert trainer in facilitative mediation, has been active in the field of mediation for over 16 years. Mrs. Battie earned a Masters of Public Administration from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in May of 2018. She also has a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As a Mediation Specialist II with the Clark County Neighborhood Justice Center, Mrs. Battie serves as the agency's training coordinator and lead trainer. In this capacity, she is responsible for training new mediators in a variety of interpersonal growth skills, as well as basic mediation skills. This 40 intensive training is taught one day a week over a course of five consecutive weeks or five consecutive days. Participants are introduced to mediation as a method of dispute resolution, instructed on conflict skills, communication, negotiations, culture, ethics, mediation processes, and mediation skills and techniques. In addition to mediation training, Mrs. Battie is responsible for training development and continuing education for mediators. Various courses are offered to the Neighborhood Justice Center's volunteers and other community participants interested in skill building. As a leader in conflict resolution curriculum development, the Neighborhood Justice Center receives several requests per year to conduct trainings. Mrs. Battie has trained conflict resolution skills to agencies such as the Clark County Health District, Nevada Supreme Court, Nevada Environmental Protection Agency, Clark County Department of Family Services, and the Clark County School District to name a few. Mrs. Battie, along with her colleagues at the Neighborhood Justice Center, are committed to continue helping our community become a more safe place to live, work, and play by offering services and training to help reduce conflict.
Maria Bruce Maria Bruce Instructor: Basic Sewing, Patternmaking, Dressmaker Studio, Stitch it , Alterations, Swimwear, Designer Studio, Creative Art-Costumier' Maria has over 25 years of experience and professional designing skills in Sewing, Alterations, Patterns and Fashion Designing. Maria's communication bi-lingual skills includes English and Spanish. Maria is an accomplished fashion designer and has showcased in numerous Fashion shows in some of the most prestigious LV Casino's. Her background of experience is in Apparel Design & Fashion Consultation/Stylist. UNLV Fashion Design Graduate 2005. Fashion Instructor since 2005. Maria has designed apparel for national and international professionals, among Miss Nevada, & Testio. She is a City of LV Small Business License owner of MBRUCE Designs since 2009, specializing in one of kind, couture', embroidery & print apparel. Past-Station Casinos Costume Vendor, Current- State of NV clothing vendor.
Lee Business School
Charles Carr Charlie Carr instructs Continuing Education courses in the Human Resources (HR) Management Certificate Program and the Organizational Leadership Certificate Program at UNLV. Charlie has extensive academic and work experience in HR, organizational change management (OCM), leadership development and assessment, counseling and coaching, management consulting and teaching.
Through his company, Creative Workforce Solutions, LLC, Charlie contributed to the 2016 Prosci Benchmarking Report, Best Practices in Change Management, and has contributed significant OCM tools and methods to top tier OCM consulting practices and businesses. As an adjunct professor and instructor, he has developed and taught courses in MBA, HR Master's degree, Bachelor's degree and continuing education programs. He has also delivered American Management Association courses onsite at businesses in support of ISO certification programs.
Charlie's education includes a BA from Indiana University, an MA from Webster University and an EdS degree and doctoral work from The College of William & Mary. His diverse professional experience spans many industry sectors, including state, local and federal government; aerospace; retail; military; agriculture; information technology; finance and accounting; real estate; and medical.
In his spare time, Charlie enjoys golf, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Manuela Carrescia
Erik Christensen
Kathy Clemens
David Dace
Agnes Dado
Jesse Del Quadro
PEX Department
UNLV Department of Dance
Tracy DiFillippo
Heather Doane
Ray DuGray
Scott Emerson >
Scott Emerson served 31 years with the American Red Cross, the first 12 as a volunteer. His roles have included leading and modernizing the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross. Scott has proven himself as a dedicated leader, growing resources and developing strategic partnerships to improve local services for our community. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Non-Profit Administrator of the Year from the Association of Public Administrators, several Red Cross leadership awards, and from the Golden Hand Service Award from the Cultural Diversity Foundation. Scott is often requested to work with agency’s Board of Directors and staff to inspire and strengthen agency fulfillment. Scott works extensively with the Leadership Las Vegas program of the Metro Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of Golden Rainbow and in an advisory capacity to several local non-profits.

With a focus on innovation and collective impact, Scott collaborates with supporters and actively engage the community to create measurable impact through United Way’s Community-Based Agenda, a roadmap to improving lives through early education, high school achievement, post-secondary attainment and workforce supports. Using information from United Way’s recently-launched information hub, Community Connect, Scott leads the organization’s efforts to fund community work using data and research, both of which are critical to solving Southern Nevada’s greatest challenges.
Debbie Farr

Dr. Debbie Kruenegel-Farr is a passionate parent coach, consultant, and educator! She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research with an emphasis in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Texas. She has a graduate academic certificate in Parent Education from UNT and a master's degree in Post-Secondary and Agency Guidance Counseling (marriage & family focus) from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Debbie is the proud mother of three wonderful sons and grandmother of several delightful grandchildren. She has lived in 8 states and in most of those, has worked in some capacity with parents, children, families, schools, and/or family nonprofits. Dr. Debbie currently teaches Positive Psychology at New England College in Henniker, NH and is the author of E.N.R.I.C.H. Your Relationship With Your Child, available in paperback and Kindle. Her book combines her experiences, humorous stories, positive strategies, examples, and workbook-style sections to help anyone who works or lives with children. She also enjoys connecting with other parent coaches and parent educators through her involvement with the Family Life Coaching Association, where she served as interim Executive Director, and the National Parenting Education Network, where she serves on the Council.

Justin Fertick
Mayweather Fitness Certified Instructors Certified Yoga Instructors-Yoga instructors are wellness and fitness professionals trained and certified to conduct group classes that involve meditation and specific poses that are designed to connect breathing to physical movement and mental exercises. A yoga instructors guides students to connect to breath while conducting a series of physical and mentals exercise to aid in achieving spiritual wellness.
Robert Forney
Rina Foster
Sharon Fry

Sharon Fry is an independent software consultant and trainer based in Las Vegas.

Both knowledgeable and experienced in multiple operational areas of varied industries, Sharon focuses on streamlining business processes with creativity and utilization of available technology. She enjoys discovering ways that software can be used to help businesses and individuals devise solutions. Moreover, she has always taken naturally to computers and software throughout her career. These qualities, along with a patient and genial manner, enable her to be an instructor with a proven track record of successful training delivery.

Sharon uses a wide spectrum of software applications, particularly Excel, Access, and SharePoint, primarily for the small to mid-size business user. Presently specializing in the Microsoft Office System including Office 365, SharePoint for 2007, 2010, and 2013, and Skype for Business, Sharon is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and a Master Microsoft Office Specialist (MOSM) certified in Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word. She is certified as a Microsoft Specialist in Project 2013 and a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) in Windows OS and Database Administration. Sharon is also a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and her company, PPO Help, Inc., has been a Registered Microsoft Partner since 2004.

Jason Ghazinour
Carli Gilchrist
Christine Greengrass
Marc Greges
Claire Griffith
Gregory Gudenkauf
Marcy Harper
Becky Harris
Cheri Hauer
June Heydarian
Gabbie Hirsch New Yorker by birth, growing up in the suburbs of New York and Connecticut, "Gabbie" was able to frequent Manhattan and benefit from all of its cultural resources. Gabriél attended Cornell University's College of Fine Art and Architecture, graduating with a B.F.A. Panting Major, an Art History Minor and the equivalent of a minor in literature. She took additional classes in the more "commercial" skills and illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. More recently, she added some computer skills to the repertoire. You can never have too many options. "Gabbie's" experiences as an artist in both the "Fine" and commercial fields continues to be extremely varied. Her work is in the collection of Comedian Bill Cosby, the former presidents and CEO's of large corporations, in the Trotter's Hall of Fame, Goshen, New York, in hand-painted costumes for the '80's group Full Force (CBS records), and Donna Sommers. In the same week, she worked on a twenty foot mural for a local casino, and a digitally "invented" pirate ship mast for a private home-owner's fantasy swimming pool. She has even designed sets of tarot cards......Whether crafting a watercolor still life to demonstrate traditional themes and techniques for students, or mixing media to capture a dreamscape or archetypal vision, the possibilities are unlimited, and the artist loves a challenge.
Constance Holdip
Cindi Kalani
Jessica Kennedy For the past 15 years, Jessica Kennedy has been calling Las Vegas home. Originally from Missouri, Jessica has lived all over the United States and has worked in the field of graphic design longer than she would like to admit. A graduate of Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, Jessica was employed in St. Louis and Chicago simultaneously after her graduation. Working with such diverse clients as Godiva Chocolatiers, The St. Louis Blues, Pepsi, National Industrial Services Incorporated, Kinko's, Iconn Watersports, The College of Southern Nevada Foundation, Las Vegas Hospitality Association, and several Las Vegas casinos, Jessica has a unique perspective on what it takes to have successful design in a vast array of markets. Her prowess in Social Media has been given accolades in the Las Vegas Review Journal and she is the social media "go-to" for News Channel 13. Teaching full-time at Rancho High School has allowed her to remain on top of social media as well as up-and-coming trends in graphic design and Internet security through networking with other high school graphic design instructors and industry professionals across the valley, and the United States. The responsibilities of being a full-time mom, business owner, business partner in a local art gallery, and full-time graphic design instructor keep Jessica busy and always on the run, yet she always has extra time for students who are in need of assistance.
Tony LaBounty Anthony LaBounty is Professor of Music and the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he directs the UNLV "Star of Nevada" Marching Band, UNLV Symphonic Winds, the UNLV "Runnin' Rebel" Basketball Pep Band, and the UNLV Community Concert Band. Since his appointment to the faculty in 1988, he has helped develop the UNLV Bands to become one of the finest collegiate band programs in the nation. He teaches courses within the music education degree programs and is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. He has served as a guest conductor and performer throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico and China. He has conducted special performances by the UNLV Community Band at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland (March 2009) and at the Teatro Principe in Palestrina (Rome), Italy (June 2012). In 2005 he directed the UNLV Band before an estimated multi-national Asian television audience of 340 million viewers in a special invited performance at the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Parade and Festival in Hong Kong, China. He is a past state chairman of the Nevada Chapter of the National Band Association, and is a member in the Phi Delta Kappa Honorary Fraternity, the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and is a past member of the Texas Music Educators Association. In 2005, LaBounty was awarded UNLV College of Fine Arts Outstanding Teacher of The Year. In 2014, LaBounty was distinguished by election to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and was the first ABA member to be elected in the new, dual category of band conductor/composer. Under his leadership, the UNLV Symphonic Winds has performed as a special exhibition ensemble premiering the wind band transcription of Sonata for Alto Saxophone, Op. 29 by Robert Muczynski at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference (2011). The group has also performed with special guest soloists John McMurtery (flute), Gary Cook (percussion) and Timothy Jones (percussion). The Symphonic Winds have also recorded numerous catalogued wind band repertoire holdings of TRN Music Publisher, Inc. LaBounty is a published composer of original works for band. Among his original compositions for wind orchestra: Psalm 92 (2015, Published by C.L. Barnhouse), Salmo Della Rinascita (2012, published by TRN Music Publisher, Inc.) Favor and Treasure (2013, published by Opus III/C.L. Barnhouse), Sharakan (2010, published by LudwigMasters/E.F. Kalmus). Prayer For Asia (2008, published by Opus III/C.L. Barnhouse), and Le Sentier (2007, published by TRN Music Publisher, Inc.). LaBounty's wind orchestra setting of How Deep The Father's Love For Us is published by Opus III/C.L. Barnhouse. Sonata Op. 29 for Alto Saxophone by Robert Muczynski transcribed for band by LaBounty is published by G. Schirmer/Hal Leonard Corporation. Salmo Della Rinascita, Favor and Treasure, Le Sentier, Prayer For Asia and How Deep The Father's Love For Us are recorded by the UNLV Wind Orchestra and available on the Klavier records label.
Kenneth Lange
John Larson John Larson, founder of Las Vegas based John Larson Marketing, is an online marketing strategist. His combination of psychology and analytics based approach has helped small to medium size business owners and entrepreneurs generate leads, attract customers and drive sales using the internet, social media and online advertising. He is a regular contributor to a variety of industry publications including Moz, as well as Search Engine Land, Search Engine Watch and other top industry forums. Outside of providing meaningful campaigns and marketing services, John has made it his mission to educate entrepreneurs on how to take advantage of the digital world.
Jennifer Lizares
David Loaiza-Funk Dávid Loaiza-Funk is the President and CEO of Diversidad LLC, a company that eliminates language barriers while enhancing inclusion in the community of Southern Nevada. Dávid has a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration as well as dual certification in medical/healthcare interpreting through NBCMI and CCHI and a black belt in Lean Six Sigma for Quality improvement. Dávid has served as a coach, and manager of medical interpreters for the last 10 years at different organizations including University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. David serves as the Director-at-Large for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition and has received the American College of Healthcare Executives' Regent at Large Diversity Award in 2017 and the National Association of Latinos Healthcare Executives (NALHE) 2016 caucus leadership award.
Gretchen Marshall Gretchen Marshall Instructor: Fashion Marketing & Fashion Showcase Born in New York City, the “Fashion Capital of the World”, Gretchen grew up in a family of excellent seamstress and she has always had a love for fashion and classic style. Her talents and skills include -Fashion Designer-Runway Designer- Fashion Seamstress-Specialty-plus size and wedding garments-Illustration & Fashion Boards-Sewing, Quilting, Crafts Designs. Her Awards include -UNLV Student Fashion Awards Recipient 2010 & 2011, and “Best in Show”, Porcelain and Cloth Dolls Designer. She is a UNLV Fashion Design Graduate and holds aUNLV Masters of Public Administration, and carries a BS in Workforce Education. Gretchen specializes in men and women's apparel.
James Massey
Arlene Mendibles
Gail Michel-Parsons
Wes Miller
Melissa Moats
Brittany Montoya
Judith (Judi) Moreo
Carl Morrison
Jacob Murdock Jacob Murdock Jacob Murdock currently works as the volunteer program manager at The Mob Museum. His major tasks include managing and expanding the volunteer program, developing an internship program to help the museum meet its mission, and providing supervision and coaching to guest experience staff. Previous to The Mob Museum, Murdock worked as community engagement manager at United Way of Southern Nevada. In this role he managed the AmeriCorps VISTA program, oversaw the volunteer center, and coordinated large scale service projects. Previous to working with UWSN, Murdock coordinated community service and service learning at UNLV and advised student government at the University of Arkansas. Born and raised in Colorado, Murdock earned his bachelor of arts in political science from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and he earned his M.Ed. in higher education leadership from the University of Arkansas. He is currently pursuing an M.S. in political science from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Murdock is an active volunteer and currently serves at the chair of the Young Nonprofit Professional Network of Southern Nevada; he also volunteers with Camp Anytown. With a passion for teaching, he has prior teaching experience as an adjunct faculty member in the Advanced Teaching and Leadership (M.Ed.) program at Sierra Nevada College, and in the Leadership and Civic Engagement minor at UNLV. At Sierra Nevada College, Murdock taught three different leadership courses: Understanding Teachers as Leaders (TLDR 501); Understanding Community Leadership (TLDR 502); and Understanding Practical Advocacy (TLDR 503). Each course provided a theoretical foundation for teachers who were learning about themselves and how to be leaders in both their classrooms and their schools. At UNLV, Murdock helped develop and teach two different courses: Introduction to Leadership (LCE 230), and Leadership as Social Change (LCE 382). These courses helped students better understand their personal leadership styles, and prepared them with the practical experience to become leaders in a diverse world.
Maria Ngo
Christina Nishiyama
Cecilia P Ordinario
Kipp Ortenburger
Mary Ann Racheau Mary Ann Racheau has over 35 years of experience in costume and fashion design and construction. Racheau spent over eight years as a costume and shoe technician for Cirque du Soleil’s KA at the MGM Grand. Her background also includes 14 years as the lead seamstress with the Siegfried & Roy show at the Mirage and six years as the costumier for Nevada Ballet Theatre, Nevada Opera Theatre, the Mickey Finn Show, and various Las Vegas productions. She is a designer of her own unique line of collectible teddy bears, dolls and quilts. Skills include teaching, pattern cutting, designing, alterations, dyeing and construction of fashion garments and costumes, leather work, teddy bear, and quilt making. Racheau has assembled model garments for Cloth World in Las Vegas and Quiltique in Henderson, sample quilts for Sew Yeah in Las Vegas, and teaches privately and in classrooms throughout Las Vegas. She is certified as a “Master Sewing Educator" by Sewing Educators Alliance. This will be her fifth semester as an OLLI sewing educator.
Liliana Radillo
Cynthia Radley
John Reckling
Cristina Sanchez Cristina Sanchez is a native Spanish speaker born in Mexico. She initially pursued a career in Financial Administration at the UAM (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana) but her love for languages led her to study French at the Allianza Francesa de Mexico and English at the Instituto Superior de Intérpretes y Traductores (ISIT). She studied at the Southern California School of Interpretation and obtained her certification as Court Interpreter for the state of California in 2003. She obtained her certification as Court Interpreter for the state of Nevada in 2005, and became a Federal Certified Court Interpreter in 2009. Cristina is a member of Professional Interpreter/Translator Associations such as ATA, NAJIT, and NITA, as part of the Board of Directors until her present appointment as President (2015-2017). She has presented in seminars for interpreters, attorneys at the State Bar of Nevada, and judges as faculty at the NJC (National Judicial College)."
Janice Schaeffer
Continuing Ed Staff
ETC Staff
Heidi Sunderhaft
Holly Telford
Pascale Tessier Mrs. Tessier was born and raised in Paris, France. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Antony University and her master's degree in Education at Paris V University. After teaching various elementary grades in France, Mrs. Tessier and her family moved to the United States. She spent her first ten years in Annapolis, Maryland as a stay at home mom teaching her two young children both French and English. In 2009, the family had the opportunity to move to Henderson, Nevada. She loves teaching her native language and is excited to offer new French classes at UNLV in the Continuing Education department. When she's not sharing her knowledge on the French language and culture with the Las Vegas community, Mrs. Tessier likes to spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys cooking gourmet meals and hiking in the our beautiful national parks.
Vernetta Thomas
Petersen Training
Alvaro Vergara-Mery Alvaro Vergara-Mery, PHD, CMI is a Certified Medical Interpreter and licensed trainer in the Cultural and Linguistic Services Department at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is in charge of interpreter education and training, language proficiency, cultural competence, translation and curriculum design. He has extensive experience as a practicing medical interpreter in a Level I Trauma center that serves a large population of Spanish-speaking patients and he is nationally recognized for his advanced level workshops for medical interpreters. He is a certified and licensed trainer and a cultural and language access consultant and has received California Healthcare Interpreters Association's 2016 Trainer of the Year Award. He is also an adjunct faculty member at UNLV's School of Medicine.
Kimberly Virtuoso
Chadwick Whetman
Janise Wiggins
Greg Wilken Greg Wilken is the Founder and Principal Member of Edunamo Consulting. Endunamo is a Human Resources consulting company that focuses on providing HR expertise and services to nonprofit organizations.
Prior to forming Endunamo, Greg had spent most of his career in corporate HR and practicing employment and labor law. He has worked in all aspects of HR with a particular focus on employee relations, labor-management relations and HR compliance.
Greg has a B.A. from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where he majored in History and a J.D from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Greg lives in Las Vegas and spends his free time running, cooking and traveling.
Regina Yenser
Donna Zanetti

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