New Employees Introduced to Eastern Wyoming College

Eastern Wyoming College welcomes several new employees to campus this fall. “We have quite a large group of new faculty members this year. We started with new faculty orientation on August 14th and have enjoyed getting to know them. The new faculty members have rich backgrounds including prior teaching experience and industry-specific work experience. We are looking forward to a great year with them,” shared Dr. Dee Ludwig, Vice President for Learning.

New faculty and staff members include the following:

Joel Alworth, Welding and Fabrication instructor at EWC. Joel has a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. He completed his Bachelors degree from the University of Wyoming and has an Associates from Casper College. Mr. Alworth completed his welding certifications at EWC. Joel was teaching industrial arts in Douglas prior to coming to EWC. He also taught as an adjunct and concurrent instructor for EWC. Before Joel worked as a teacher in Douglas, he was welding and fabricating in the construction industry.

Lori Britton, Science instructor at the Douglas Campus. Lori completed her Masters of Science degree and her Bachelor of Science Degree in education at the University of Wyoming. Lori has taught high school science in Wheatland for the past 13 years. During this time, she has worked as an adjunct and concurrent instructor for EWC. Mrs. Britton is also a Bovine Artificial Insemination Instructor and technician. She has served as the Executive Director for the Wyoming Ag in the Classroom program as well as the Wyoming Leadership Education and Development program. Lori is also endorsed to teach English as a Second Language and is licensed through the Wyoming State Vet Board in Artificial Insemination.

Amanda Fear is the new Cosmetology instructor at EWC. Amanda completed her cosmetology certification and training at EWC. Since that time she has also worked at IBMC to complete her Cosmetology Instructor Certification. Ms. Fear has also been a business owner and worked for a salon in Cody, Wyoming.

Joshua McDaniel is the new mathematics instructor at EWC. Josh comes to EWC from Oregon, where he was an assistant professor of mathematics at Umpqua College in Roseburg. Josh also was an assistant math instructor at Arizona State University in Tempe, and adjunct at Scottsdale College and a Research Assistant. Mr. McDaniel completed his Masters and Bachelors degrees in mathematics at Arizona State University. Josh has been published twice and presented at national mathematics conferences.

Debbie Ochsner has been hired as the new Social Science instructor at EWC. Mrs. Ochsner was previously serving EWC as the Director of Counseling Services. She completed her Associates degree at EWC, her Bachelors in psychology and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Wyoming. Mrs. Ochsner has been the Director of Counseling at EWC since 2005.

Jamie Michael, Co-Director of Veterinary Technology and also an instructor. Prior to coming to EWC, Jamie has worked at the Goshen Veterinary Clinic and the Spearfish Animal Hospital. Mrs. Michael completed her Associates in Veterinary Technology at EWC. She has completed her course work for a bachelors degree at St. Petersburg College in Florida. Jamie has an extensive background in pharmacology, anesthesia and lab analysis.

Michele Ogburn has been hired as the new Director of Counseling Services at EWC. Michele completed her Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Wyoming. Mrs. Ogburn was serving as the Patient Services Senior Manager at Community Hospital of Goshen County. She has also served as a staff therapist at Peak Wellness. Michele has written numerous articles for publications relating to the counseling field. Mrs. Ogburn has her licenses in Social Work, Counseling and Nursing Home Administration.

Dr. Colleen Mitchell is another new instructor in the Veterinary Technology Program. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. Colleen left her private practice in Chadron to come to EWC. She has also worked in clinics in Vernal, Utah and Hastings, Nebraska. Dr. Mitchell has trained technicians in her clinic, while handling all facets of the business.

Julie Sherbeyn is the new instructor and volleyball coach at EWC. Julie has a Masters and Bachelors degrees in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska. Julie previously served as the head volleyball coach at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, Illinois. Mrs. Sherbeyn has also worked as the head volleyball coach and club director in Oglesby and the head volleyball coach at Princeton High School in Illinois. Julie is a certified Sports Medicine, Health Fitness and Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Cristi Semmler, will also be a Co-Director of Veterinary Technology and an instructor. Cristi moved to Torrington from Rapid City where she worked as an emergency and night technician at Dakota Hills Vet Clinic. Ms. Semmler has also worked as a Certified Vet Tech in Loveland, Colorado, Arvada, Colorado and Brookings, South Dakota. Cristi completed her Vet Technology degree at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota. She has a Bachelors degree in Equine Sciences from Colorado State University. She also has undergraduate work from South Dakota State University. Ms. Semmler is a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist and helped with a therapeutic riding academy during her training.

Sherri Warren has been hired as the mathematics instructor at the EWC Douglas Campus. Sherri completed her Masters and Bachelors degrees in Mathematics from WGU in Salt Lake City. She also has an Associates Degree in interpreting for the deaf from Front Range Community College. Mrs. Warren has been working as a mathematics adjunct instructor for EWC in Douglas. She has also worked as the Sign Language Interpreter for Converse County School Districts. Sherri taught mathematics at Douglas Middle School for 2 years.

David Vondy is the new Athletic and Fitness Center Director. David was previously serving as the Assistant Athletic Director at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison. Mr. Vondy has also worked as the Athletic Director and High School Principal in Brush, Yuma and Holyoke, Colorado. He served as an assistant wrestling coach at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. David completed his education at UNC, with a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Science. His Bachelors degree, in Kinesiology, was finished at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison. He also has been certified in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UNC. David was inducted into the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame at WSCU and was an NCAA DII National Champion Wrestler.

Suzey Delger has been hired at the Douglas Campus to develop, direct and run the new nursing program for EWC. Suzey comes to us after recently retiring as the Director of Nursing for Natrona County School District Number One in Casper. Mrs. Delger is responsible for the development of the nursing programs at Central Wyoming College. Suzey is a nationally recognized nurse and nursing instructor. She has been instrumental in the success of the nursing program at the University of Wyoming, and has been a speaker at national nursing conferences.

New Instructors
Back row left to right: Joel Alworth, Lori Britton, Amanda Fear, Josh McDaniel, and Debbie Ochsner
Front row left to right: David Vondy, Sherri Warren, Cristi Semmler, Jami Michael
Not pictured: Suzy Delger and Dr. Colleen Mitchell

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