Tom Dowling
(863) 297-1051

Eleven New PCC Fulltime Faculty Members

09/12/2006: Eleven new fulltime faculty members have started teaching at Polk Community College this fall. They are: Tanya Bird, Coordinator of Health Related Clinical Education- Respiratory Care Program; Joseph Cook, Sociology; Richard Decker, Math; Lisa Ferguson, English; Sandra Hinko, Psychology; Carolyn Horseman, Math; CJ Jackson, Earth Science; Lou-Ann Martinez, Nursing; Brad Massey, History; Edna Mitchell, Accounting and Donald Painter, Speech.  

            Here’s more information on each of these faculty members:

            Tanya Bird has an A.S. in Respiratory Care from Pensacola Jr. College, a B.S. from University of Central Florida and a MSHS Touro University International. She has worked as a Respiratory Therapist at several hospital facilities across Florida and will work first in Winter Haven and then move to Lakeland after renovation on that campus.

Joseph Cook has a B.A. in Social Sciences from Flagler College and an M.A. in Sociology from USF.  He has taught at Hillsborough Community College, University of South Florida and the University of Tampa for five years. He also taught at PCC in 2003. He has a passion for film and has been involved with several film festivals and is interested in film studies. Cook is teaching on the Lakeland campus.

Richard Decker has a B.A. and an M.A. in Math from the University of South Florida.  He taught Math at Hillsborough Community College. Decker has been an active member of the American Mathematical Association for Two Year Colleges and served as President of the Student Math Association at USF. He is teaching on the Lakeland campus.

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Lisa Ferguson has a B.A. and an M.A. in English from Western Kentucky University, and a PhD in English from University of Alabama. She has taught English at the both high school and college level in Kentucky and Alabama. She is teaching on the Lakeland campus.

Sandra Hinko has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling from Governor’s State University, and a PsyD from the Florida Institute of Technology. She has taught at PCC on a part time basis since 2003. She also served as a Senior Psychologist for the Florida Department of Corrections for seven years. Sandra is teaching on the Lakeland campus.

Carolyn Horseman has a Masters in Math from Converse College in Spartenburg, SC with additional graduate work from Clemson University. Carolyn taught Mathematics and served for four years as a Math Department Chair at community college in Salisbury, MD. She also has a background in computers and worked as a Programmer Analyst for Salisbury University for five years. She taught as an adjunct instructor at PCC in Spring 2006. 

CJ Jackson has a B.S. in Geology from the University of West Georgia, an M.S. in Geology from UNC- Wilmington, and is A.B.D. in Geology from the University of Georgia. He taught Geology at both the University of Georgia and UNC-Wilmington. CJ served as a Geographic Information System (GIS) consultant and analyst.

            Lou-Ann Martinez has an A.S. in Nursing from Manchester Community College, a B.S. in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State and a M.S.N. from Saint Joseph College. She has worked as an RN Psychiatric Supervisor at Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services for the State of Connecticut and as an adjunct professor for PCC and other institutions. She will is teaching primarily on the Winter Haven campus.

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            Brad Massey has a B.A. in history from Florida Atlantic University and an M.A. in history from George Mason University. He has taught as an adjunct instructor at HCC. Massey has a background that includes library work, legal research, AV and educational technology. He is teaching on the Lakeland campus.

            Edna Mitchell has a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee and has additional graduate coursework in accounting from Murray State University. Edna has worked as a senior accountant and accounting supervisor and taught accounting at several institutions including a stint as an adjunct professor at PCC. 

            Donald Painter earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication from University of South Florida. He has taught speech as an adjunct instructor at USF and PCC. He has also been involved in forensics and debate both as a participant and a judge. He’s teaching on both PCC campuses.

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