Honors Faculty: Committed to Excellence

Respected for their excellence in teaching and ability to motivate students, the Honors professors are committed to building and growing the program. They enjoy the challenge and opportunity to develop courses that include alternative teaching and learning strategies, which result in creative interaction for both students and teachers.

Dr. Frank Albritton

Dr. Frank Albritton teaches Honors Global Economics and has been part of the SCC faculty since 1998. He received his degrees from the European Program at UCF and UF and earned his Ph.D. in the European Program while teaching for the University of Maryland in Europe.

Dr. Albritton has been listed among Who's Who Among America's Teachers; received the Innovative Excellence Award; and published the book Health Care Insurance Reform: US vs. Germany, University Press of America, 1993. 

With strong interests in international economics and travel, Dr. Albritton's teaching philosophy is: "Students should have a strong grasp of economic principles and apply them to understand the significance of domestic and international economic issues."

Dr. Michael Artiaga

Dr. Michael Anthony Artiaga is a speech professor at SCC. In this capacity, he teaches public speaking, argumentation and debate, and a Freedom of Speech Seminar.

In conjunction with fellow faculty member, Laura Dickinson, Dr. Artiaga established a competitive debate team at SCC. The program marks the first time SCC has competed in intercollegiate forensics since the College was founded in 1965.

In his second academic post, Dr. Artiaga was a Debate Coach and Lecturer of Speech and Mass Communication for six years at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. He then attended the University of Kansas School of Law, where he attained his Juris Doctor in 2001, replete with a Certificate in Media Law and Public Policy. Dr. Artiaga has conducted research and written legal briefs for Dines, Gross and Esquivel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and served as a telecommunications attorney for Pinnacle Towers, Inc., in Sarasota, Florida. He also took a leave of absence from his career in 1994 to manage the Ben Chavez for U. S. Congress campaign in New Mexico's Second Congressional District.

Dr. Artiaga has his B.A. and M.A. in Communication from the University of New Mexico, where he graduated with distinction and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Dr. Susan Bell

Dr. Susan Bell teaches Honors Global Economics and has been part of the SCC faculty since 2003. Dr. Bell received her B.A. in economics and international relations from American University and her M.A.-A.B.D. in economics from Duke University, specializing in economic development and international economics. She received her Ph.D. in economics from Florida International University, specializing in public economics and economic development.

Dr. bell is an ELA Scholar and recipient of an Upjohn Institute of Labor grant for research on issues involving employment and disability.

Prior to coming to SCC, Dr. Bell taught at Florida Atlantic University.

Professor Samuel Gaustad

Samuel Gaustad has served as a humanities professor at SCC since 2003, and he currently teaches renaissance and baroque humanities; 18th and 19th-century humanities; African-American humanities; and arts and culture.

Gaustad received his M.A. in theatre from the University at Albany and his B.S. in piano pedagogy and performance at Hartwick College. He also studied piano with Lisa Kovalik at the Julliard School in New York.

For much of his career, he worked in various capacities in music and theatre, winning awards from ACTF for sound design and musical direction. Before joining SCC, Gaustad served on the faculties of Phillips Community College, University at Albany and Hartwick College. He published articles and reviews in Dictionary of Literary Biography: American Novelists Since World War II; The Continuum Encyclopedia of British Authors; and Listener Magazine.

Gaustad feels that students' capacities to learn in many different ways have motivated him to include a variety of delivery methods in his teaching. He said, "If students are to be engaged in the learning and comprehension process, it is important for them to relate ideas and concepts to society in general and their individual lives in particular."

Professor Martha T. Goshaw

Martha Goshaw teaches mathematics, specifically Honors Statistics. She came to SCC in 2000 after teaching for 25 years in Virginia.

Goshaw has a B.S. in mathematics from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1970); an M.S. in mathematics from West Virginia University (1974); an Ed.S. in mathematics education from the University of Virginia (1982); and she has completed coursework for an Ed.D. in mathematics education. Her awards and recognitions include the Teaching Excellence Award, American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges, 2003; NISOD Teaching Excellence Award, 2002; Outstanding Teaching Award, Florida Two-Year College Mathematics Association, 2002; and she was a Who's-Who Among America's Teachers honoree in 1996 and 1998.

Goshaw enjoys the history of mathematics and exploring real-world applications of the mathematics she teaches. Professionally, she is also quite involved in state and national professional two-year college math organizations. She served as AMATYC secretary (1993-1999); was the organizer and charter president of the Virginia Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges; and is the  president-elect of the Florida Two-Year College Mathematics Association.

"For me, teaching is an interactive activity, so I like to get my students actively involved in the learning process. Mathematics is not just a set of rules and computational skills, but a language all its own! Helping students understand and appreciate mathematics is my goal. To accomplish that goal, I am adamant about showing students how the math is used in real life."

Dr. Michael Hoover

Dr. Michael Hoover received his B.A. degree (cum laude) in political science from the University of Florida; an M.A. in political science from the University of Central Florida; and a Ph.D. in political science from Union Institute. He has been a National Endowment for the Humanities seminarian; a Florida Political Science Association executive councilor; a Florida Film Festival selection committee member; and a Who's-Who Among America's Teachers honoree several times.

Dr. Hoover is widely published on topics ranging from politics and culture to arts and education. His writings have appeared in various academic journals, including "Asian Cinema," "Journal of Third-World Studies," "New Political Science," "Popular Music and Society," as well as "Science and Society." He is co-author of "City on Fire: Hong Kong Cinema" (Verso, 1999) and serves on the editorial board of the journal "New Political Science."

Professor Barbara Hunnicutt

Barbara Hunnicutt received her B.S. in biology and math from the University of Texas and a Medical Science Education degree from the University of Georgia. She has been teaching at SCC since 1979 and is currently a professor of honors biology, anatomy and physiology, biology I and II, and concepts of biology with a lab.

Hunnicutt has been listed in the Who's Who of Women of the World; Who's Who of Women of the Southeast; and Who's Who of American Teachers. She is also recognized for outstanding leadership in education by the Central Florida Consortium.

Her publications include: Investigations in Biology; Flora and Fauna: Fact and Folklore; Landscape plants of SCC; Field Guide to Native Plants of Hontoon State Park; Biological and Historical Guide to Hontoon State Park; Biological and Historical Guide to Hontoon State Park; Field Guide to Select Plants of Figi and Florida; and Selected Plants of the Yucatan.

Outside of the world of academia, Hunnicutt enjoys scuba diving and painting murals. Her philosophy of education is: "Teaching is the joy of sharing, the "EUREKA!" of newfound knowledge and the power that learning brings."

Professor Marisabel Irizarry

Marisabel Irizarry received her M.A. from Georgetown University in Latin-American studies, with a concentration in literature and culture, and her B.A. from the University of South Florida in international studies, with a focus on Latin-America. Her teaching philosophy includes centering her classes around small group activities and discussions.

Irizarry said, "College is supposed to prepare students for the real world, and in the real world, few people work alone. Group activities and discussion helps to foster interpersonal relationships. They also help students to share opinions and ideas on the subjects and information presented in class, which forces students to think about their own personal values. Students can learn a lot from their peers, not just from the teacher."  

Professor Margaret Jenkins

Margaret Jenkins received her undergraduate degree from the University of Akron with a B.A. in psychology (cum laude) and a graduate degree from Florida Institute of Technology with a M.S. in industrial organizational psychology.

She started her teaching career at Brevard Community College in 2001 and has been at SCC since 2005. Jenkins is active in research in the area of personality testing in employment settings and has one journal publication and three conference papers on that topic.

Professor Kenna Noone

Kenna Noone teaches psychology and anthropology and has been at SCC since 1982. She earned a B.A. from Georgia State University; an M.S. in clinical psychology from UCF; an M.S. in psychology from FSU; and she has an unfinished master's degree in social anthropology from Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan.

Noone's awards and recognitions include: Phi Kappa Phi; AACC Best Linkage Program, 1998; SCC Pathfinder Award, 1998; National Endowment of the Humanities Scholar, 2000; International Observer for the Mexican Presidential Elections, 2000; Board of the Gulf of Mexico Governor's Accords, 1997-2001; Board of Global Connections, 2000-2002; Board of Casa de Mexico, 2001-2003; Recognition of Honor Award from the State of Quintana Roo Mexico for 1999, 2000 and 2002; Invited Faculty for Curriculum Design Committee for Tulum Campus of Universidad de Quintana Roo, 2002; Invited Faculty for UCF Mexican Fulbright Hayes Scholars, 2003; and she was the SCC Sprint Endowed Teaching Chair in 2003.

Noone said, "Teaching and learning are partners. For me, it's all about finding the muse that helps fan the flame of desire to learn more about the mystery that is all of life."

Her special interests include tarpon fishing, housework, gardening and, of course, Mexico.

Professor Ruth Reis

Ruth Reis earned her M.A. and her B.A. at Clark University in Worchester, Mass. She teaches Honors English I and Honors English II and has served as the faculty adviser for SCC's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. She is also the campus coordinator for the Cambridge Program, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, American Mensa Ltd., and the Modern Language Association. Her philosophy is: "Teaching is a reciprocal process, and I often learn as much from my students as they do from me. This reciprocity helps to foster an environment in which students recognize the value of their own ideas and opinions, which, in turn, encourages them to respect those of others. While I acknowledge that not all students share my love of writing and literature, it is my goal to encourage them to see the value and vitality of reading and writing in their lives."

Dr. Christopher Robbins

Dr. Christopher Robbins, professor of Honors Ancient History and Honors Western Civilization, 1600 to Present, has been teaching at SCC since 1994. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, and his recognitions include Regional and National PTK Adviser of the Year, 2000.

Dr. Robbins' publications include "The Earl of Wharton, Whig Politics 1685-1715"; "Editor with Loyal VanDyke: Aspects of American History," Forbes Press, 1998; and "Editor with George Stevens: American Experiences, Readings in Social and Political History," Ginn Press, 1992.

With special interests lie in English literature and travel, Dr. Robbins' educational philosophy is: "At every level of education I have had a mentor, a professor, who took a special interest in me. We all have. That's what I like best about the world of academia. Now, it's our turn to help students. One day our students will help others."

Dr. Laura Ross

Dr. Laura Ross, director of The Art & Phyllis Grindle Honors Institute, has been an English professor at SCC since 1990. She earned her M.A. in rhetoric and composition from Ohio State University; a B.A. in English and education from Heidelberg College; and her doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Ross has served in several roles at SCC, including English Department chairperson; interim director of educational services; and Title III activity coordinator for the Faculty Institute for Teaching and Learning.

With special interests include faculty development, assessment, rhetoric and composition and, of course, honors students, Dr. Ross also coordinates the SCC Study Abroad Program.  Her teaching philosophy is: "I see the potential in students; therefore, I am always looking for ways to motivate and challenge them to improve their writing, reading and critical-thinking skills."

Dr. Debra Socci

Dr. Debra Socci, assistant coordinator of the Art & Phyllis Grindle Honors Institute, has been a biology professor at SCC since 2001. In 2002, she helped establish the SCC Oviedo Environmental Club, which is currently involved in environmental community education and campus beautification projects.

Dr. Socci earned her B.A. and M.S. in biology from Rutgers University and her Ph.D. in biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she studied neuroscience, taught biology and performed learning and brain pathology research. At USF, Dr. Socci received the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award and her doctoral research received the Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Prior to coming to SCC, Dr. Socci performed post-doctoral research at the Health Research Institute at Orlando Regional Healthcare System and has published articles in Peptides, Neuroscience Letters, Drug Development Research, Molecular and Chemical Neuropathology, Neurobiology of Aging, Brain Research and Experimental Neurology.

Dr. Socci strives to share her love of biology and enthusiasm for learning with all her students. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling and music.

Professor Trent Tomengo

Trent Tomengo is a humanities instructor at SCC and the assistant curator of the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts. He has an M.F.A. from the University of South Florida, as well as a graduate certificate in museum studies.

Tomengo's philosophy on teaching humanities includes the notion that students must see themselves and their ideas as valid parts of the ongoing dialogue of humanities to have a sense of ownership and interest in the subject matter.

Tomengo is an award-winning artist who has conducted art workshops and lectures throughout the Central Florida area. In addition to Florida, his work has been exhibited in Georgia and Louisiana, and his work enjoys visibility in public and private collections.

Did you know?

Graduates from The Art and Phyllis Grindle Honors Institute have been offered generous scholarships when transferring to 4-year colleges and universities.