It is with immense pleasure that the Library shares this virtual authors display with our entire MVCC campus community. As we celebrate the accomplishments of our faculty and staff, we hope you enjoy this eclectic presentation of their published works from 2023 and congratulate them on their remarkable achievement.
Gerald Bailey
Music Faculty
Gerald Bailey is a freelance trumpet player in Chicago who currently leads several groups combining acoustic instruments, jazz and music technology. He has performed with Belle and Sebastian, Ty Segall, Mono, The Walkmen, Syl Johnson, and The O’Jays. He has played for the Obama administration at the White House in 2009 and 2012 and appeared in the Hollywood movie Public Enemies. Gerald provides trumpet performance, original compositions, orchestrations, arrangements, transcriptions, copy work and production. He has appeared on countless recordings for Bloodshot Records, Warner Bros, Jump Up, Rabbit Factory and his original music is currently featured on Cartilage Osseux Records and Tape of the Month Club. He has a Bachelor’s degree in trumpet from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s degree in composition from DePaul University.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Gerald set out to make a record in isolation, reorganizing established sounds and beats into bedroom jazz. Conceptually following the themes of migration, social evolution, upheaval, and positive change, he sculpted layers of overdubbed trumpet, flugabone, drums, and keyboards, utilizing a basic recording setup.
Michael A. Black
Continuing Education Non-Credit Faculty, Corporate, Community & Continuing Education Faculty
Michael Black has published numerous articles, short stories, and action-packed novels. In addition to his work at MVCC, he has also worked for many years in law enforcement. He holds degrees from MVCC and Northern Illinois University and an advanced degree in Fiction Writing from Columbia College.
The Indian Territory, 1879--Two men are on a collision course. Bass Reeves, who wears a deputy marshal's star, has sworn to uphold the law. The other is Marion Michael Donovan, a ruthless killer who murdered his first man at age fourteen. In the Indian Territories to investigate a group of white men selling guns to the Indians, Reeves enlists the help of an Indian deputy, Walks as Bear. Donovan has taken over the town of Temptation and, using a stolen Gatling gun, plans to rob a train carrying a shipment of gold. After discovering that Donovan is responsible for the murder of some Texas Rangers, Reeves finds himself in a race against time to stop the killers and prevent another massacre.
Sheryl Bundy
Communications
Sheryl Lyn Bundy teaches creative writing, film adaptation and composition at Moraine, where she also serves as co-director of the Speaking & Writing Center. Her research interests include creative writing pedagogy and fandom culture and writing practices. Her work has appeared in Teaching English in the Two-Year College, Transformative Works and Cultures, and Queer in the Choir Room: Essays on Gender and Sexuality in Glee.
Vittorio Carli
Communications Faculty
Besides his classes at MVCC, Vito Carli has also taught at Columbia College and Daley College in the areas of Communications, Film, and Literature. He is a poet, performance artist, and film critic with his work appearing in numerous publications. Vito was once a Moraine Valley student and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree at Saint Xavier University and a Master’s degree from Illinois State University.
Dr. Vincent Alexander Davis is a Moraine Valley alumnus and earned his B.A in Communication from Saint Xavier University and his M.A. in Communication and Training from Governors State University. Besides being a nominee for Adjunct Faculty of the Year here at MVCC, he teaches full-time at Saint Xavier University, where he has won several awards for his teaching.
In 2018, Davis started his doctorate, earning a Ph.D. in Communication studies from Regent University in 2023. The title of his dissertation is "The Family Tree: An Examination of Genealogical Influence in Identity Formation and Interpersonal Communication". His research sought to create an intersectionality between genealogy and communication studies by arguing that there is a genealogical aspect to how individuals see themselves and communicate interpersonally.
In his free time, Davis is a mid-level genealogist, where he not only researches his family tree but volunteers to help others. His paternity discovery and genealogical research endeavors were the driving force behind his dissertation.
Kristi Derkacy
Tutor
Kristi Derkacy comes from a rich lineage of matriarchal storytellers and oral tradition. In her short fiction, she seeks to explore the dynamic intersections of human relationship, personal narrative and familial influences. Her poetry seeks to honor the Original Ways, such as the wisdom of earth and ancestors. At Moraine Valley, she can be found in L200, working with this incredible, beautiful, diverse body of students on their academic pursuits related to writing, storytelling, speech, and communication.
Bret Figura
Senior Graphic Designer, Marketing and Communications
Bret Figura graduated from Western Illinois University with a major in art and a minor in music. He's been playing music since 1988 in all manner of genres and ensembles. Prior to coming to Moraine, Bret spent 15 years in the publishing field as a graphic designer, art director, design consultant, and freelancer. Besides staying busy with family life and work, he spends his other available free time performing in various music groups, getting session work when possible, and writing/recording his own works which can be found on Bandcamp.com.
Dr. Joshua Fulton
History Faculty
Josh Fulton grew up in nearby Brookfield, IL and currently resides in Berwyn, IL with his wife Jennifer and 3 daughters. He holds a BA in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MA in History from Eastern Illinois University, and a PhD in history from Northern Illinois University. He started working full time at Moraine Valley in 2008, and teaches a number of different history courses. His dissertation on World War One in Illinois was completed last year—and he’s so grateful for the support he had from his family and his many colleagues as he worked towards its completion.
Tish Hayes
Information Literacy Librarian
Tish Hayes is the Information Literacy Librarian (Associate Professor) at Moraine Valley Community College. She has a MLIS from Dominican University and a MEd from University of Illinois at Chicago. Her article, “Survive and Sustain”: Adaptive and Innovative Library Instruction in the Time of COVID-19" was awarded First Place in the IACRL People's Choice Award in Scholarly Publishing.
Dr. Terra Jacobson
Dean of Learning Resources Center
Dr. Terra B. Jacobson has been the dean of the Learning Resource Center at Moraine Valley Community College since 2016 and has worked in community college libraries since 2009. She has a Ph.D. in Information Studies from Dominican University, an M.S. in Information Science, and an M.S. in Library Science from Indiana University, Bloomington. Her current research interests are strategic planning in libraries, outreach and advocacy in academic libraries, and the future and value of community college libraries. She currently teaches online for the State University of New York.
Dr. Dave Marcial
Dean of Enrollment Services
Dr. Dave Marcial is a first-generation Mexican-American in the United States. He is the son of undocumented immigrants with roots in Oaxaca, México. He was born and raised in the Southwest Side of Chicago. The dissertation focused on understanding the training, knowledge, and support of the admissions staff at all twelve public four-year universities. The findings provide admissions and enrollment management professionals with an opportunity for improvement along with learning best practices to support undocumented students pursuing higher education.
Marie Martino
Systems and Cataloging Librarian
Marie M. Martino is the Systems & Catalog Services Librarian and Professor at Moraine Valley Community College Library. She has an M.S. in Information Systems from Drexel University, an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Dominican University, and an M.F.A. in Moving Image from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her current research interests are related to library systems management and using games and other forms of popular culture in the classroom.
Dr. Terra Jacobson
Dean of Learning Resources Center
Personal Guidelines for Doggust
When someone I knew was the guardian of the breed of dog from the prompt list, I would choose a photo from my friend's photos to work with. Compositional format changed according to how I felt would best visually communicate the illustration.
Personal Guidelines for Inktober
This year every drawing had to reference a movie that I have a nostalgic connection to and designed in a square composition.
Can you guess which movie is represented by each square?
James McIntyre
History Faculty
In addition to teaching at MVCC, Jim McIntyre also teaches Strategy and War in the Distance Education Program of the United States Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. He has been researching and writing on the American War of Independence for over fifteen years. His first job in the profession was as an interpretive guide at the Fort Mifflin on the Delaware Historic Site. He has a BA in History from Temple University and an MA in History from the University of Illinois.
Carey Millsap-Spears
Communications Faculty
Carey Millsap-Spears researches popular culture and the Gothic. She is also a published poet. She holds a degree from Purdue University and advanced degrees from Indiana University and National University.
"Since I am both a fan of Star Trek and a scholar focused on the Gothic, it did not take long for me to see the connections between Discovery and the traditional Gothic narrative forms."
Suha Mohammed
Speech Faculty
In addition to teaching at MVCC, Suha Mohammed is also an instructor at St. Xavier University. Her research interests include crisis and risk communication, intercultural communication, rhetorical studies, and media studies. Suha holds an MA degree from Governor's State University and is a doctoral candidate at Regent University.
Dr. Souzan Naser
Counselor
Dr. Souzan Naser is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Stewardship, Leadership & Learning from the University of St. Francis. Naser is co-founder of Mamas Activating Movements for Abolition and Solidarity (MAMAS), a leading member of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network’s Chicago chapter, and board member of the Arab American Action Network.
Mothering Is A Radical Act--Once I became a mother, my political commitment grew.
Angela Nicholson
Nursing Faculty
Angela Nicholson has been a registered nurse for over 35 years and an Assistant Nursing Professor/ Nursing Instructor for 14 years. She has a passion for seeing people reach their health and fitness goals. After realizing that most failures in this area come from trying to improve health too quickly or in drastic, unhealthy ways, she wrote Another Level to inspire people to slow down and take baby steps in order to reach their goals. She wants to inspire hope and help make change doable and sustainable.
Dr. Nina Shoman-Dajani
Assistant Dean of Learning Enrichment and College Readiness
Dr. Nina Shoman-Dajani oversees the Adult Education program serving students from forty-five countries. She completed her Doctor of Education degree at Benedictine University in Higher Education and Organizational Change. Her doctoral research focused on the racial identity construction of Arab American college students. She is a member of the National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education, a board member for the Arab American Studies Association, and a board member for the Syrian Community Network, a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago.
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Mai Sugimoto
Music Faculty
Mai Sugimoto has been teaching at MVCC since the mid-2000s. She directs the jazz combo and teaches applied saxophone lessons and Introduction to American Music. Mai was interviewed recently on WBEZ's radio show RESET with Sasha-Ann Simons where they talked about her life, career, and the release of her third and newest album, Sunlight Filtering Through Leaves.
Dr. Troy Swanson
Library Department Chair
Dr. Troy Swanson is the author or editor of several books and articles including co-editor of Not Just Where to Click: Teaching Students How to Think About Information which received the Ilene F. Rockman Publication of the Year Award from ARCL’s Instruction Section. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on the management of technology policy in higher education. He served on ACRL’s Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education Task Force which issued the Framework for Information Literacy. Over his tenure as a librarian and educator, he has won his campus's Master Teacher and Innovation of the Year awards, as well as the Proquest Innovation in College Librarianship award from ACRL.
Dr. Deidre Walker
Employee Training And Development Coordinator/Center for Teaching and Learning
The research was conducted as part of Deidre Walker's doctoral studies. A basic qualitative methodology was used to explore the onboarding experiences of adjunct faculty who teach online. The research examined what adjunct faculty experienced, what they learned, and how well they were prepared to teach college-level students due to their onboarding experience.