 |
Cindy Somers
Faculty, Chemistry
303-914-6560
Ph.D., University of Washington, 1989
B.A., University of California, 1983
My personal and professional style can be characterized as practical, approachable, down to earth and caring. I believe each student is a unique individual. Education should prepare the student for a lifetime of personal development and intellectual growth. Students should be encouraged to place education within a broader context of human inquiry and social responsibility.
I chose to teach at Red Rocks because as a community college, I believe Red Rocks is able to offer a highly personalized educational experience. I pride myself on being accessible to my students. I maintain extensive office hours and set up appointments with students outside those times as required. These flexible opportunities and the close interaction between students and faculty cannot be duplicated at larger universities for obvious reasons. I believe all individuals approach life from a unique perspective and consequently I can learn from everyone.
I have a B.A. in chemistry from the University of California at San Diego. I received my Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1989 from the University of Washington at Seattle. Through the course of my career I have taught a variety of courses, (Introduction to Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Nutrition) to classes ranging in size from 15 to 350 students. I have been employed by community colleges, a small liberal arts college and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. I use a variety of teaching and assessment techniques to help students learn and demonstrate their knowledge. These include computer exercises, take home experiments, take home problem sets, laboratory assignments, group work and in class exams. I try to give students a variety of avenues to present their knowledge and the skills they have mastered; I encourage students to recognize and use approaches best suited to their learning styles and personality.
TOP
|
 |
Gayle Crane
Faculty, Chemistry
303-914-6200
Ph.D., University of Wyoming, 1994
B.A., Chadron State College, 1989
I received a BA in Chemistry and Mathematics from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. I enjoyed the small class sizes and the one-on-one interaction with the faculty during my undergraduate experience. I then went on to the University of Wyoming for a PhD in Analytical Chemistry. I worked on a project to develop fiber optic monitors for contaminates in ground water. This sparked my interest in environmental chemistry. I also taught undergraduate laboratories and really enjoyed my teaching experiences. My husband got a job at Ford and we moved out to Michigan for 5 years. I taught General Chemistry, Natural Science, Quantitative Analysis, and Environmental Chemistry at University of Michigan-Dearborn and Washtenaw Community College. I worked on a research project to examine the water quality of the Rouge River using Ion Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. I missed the Western friendliness and blue skies and was very glad to move to Colorado. I took a job at Red Rocks Community College in 2001 and I feel this institution offers the best of a lot of worlds. I like the small class size that allows me to get to know the students in my classes and I like our location that attracts many traditional and nontraditional students with a wide variety of interests.
TOP
|