Adams State College new employees - Fall 2007 (11-20-07)
Adams State College welcomes the following employees who joined the campus. If someone you know is not listed please call the Office of Communications at 587-7827. Photographs of new employees will be added as they are taken.
Lorraine R Aragon
Lorraine R Aragon, administrative assistant for Facility Services, received her associate degree. She previously worked at Adams State and for the Alamosa County. Aragon has two sons, two daughters and is a proud grandmother of three grandchildren. She enjoys bowling and shooting pool.
Dr. Renee Beeton
Dr. Renee Beeton, a visiting assistant professor in chemistry, received her BS in chemistry from the North Dakota State University, her MS in chemistry and her Ph.D. in chemical education from the University of Northern Colorado. Beeton was an adjunct assistant professor at Johnson County Community College before joining Adams State. Her academic specialty is chemical education.
Dr. Jared Beeton
Dr. Jared Beeton, an assistant professor of earth science, received his BS from Kansas State University, his MS from University of Northern Colorado and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.
Mary Benavidez
Mary Benavidez, administrative assistant in Extended Studies, attended Adams State from 1997 until 2001 and studied psychology and music. She served as an AmeriCorps *VISTA volunteer with Adams State Community Partnerships for a year. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Mary and her husband, Michael, have a daughter, Olivia. She is a cantor at the Sacred Heart Church and enjoys sewing, reading, and role-playing games.
Dr. Mark T. Blagen
Dr. Mark T. Blagen, associate professor of counselor education, received his BS in sociology from University of New York, his MS Ed in community counseling from Old Dominion University and his Ph.D. in urban services and human services counseling cognate from Old Dominion University. Blagen was an instructor at Old Dominion University for 11 years and assistant/associate professor of counselor education at Regent University for four years. His teaching and research interests are student development, addictive behavior and spirituality. In recognition of his teaching abilities, he was awarded Most Inspirational Professor in 2002 at Old Dominion and Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2004 from Regent University. Blagen has two children, Michelle Munford and Marcus Blagen. Sydney, Ruckus and X are also important feline and canine members of the family. He enjoys hiking and snowboarding.
Dr. Laura Bruneau
Dr. Laura Bruneau, assistant professor of counselor education, received her BA from Miami University, her M.Ed from Kent University and her Ph.D. from Kent State University. As an outpatient therapist for children, adolescents and families and a case manager for adults and adolescents, Bruneau has extensive experience in the counseling field. In the university environment, she has experience as a counselor for university students and an adjunct lecturer for John Carroll University. Among her honors Bruneau is a University Fellow at Kent State University. Her partner is Michael. Her mother lives in Ohio, her father lives in Virginia and she has two older sisters. She enjoys reading, watching movies, bowling, and knitting.
Dr. Zena Buser
Dr. Zena Buser, assistant professor of business, received her BS from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, her MS and Ph.D. from West Texas A&M University. She has previous worked for Hitch Enterprises and worked as a technician, a graduate assistant and a research associate.
Rachel Butler
Rachel Butler, athletics assistant athletic trainer, received her BS in athletic training from Southern Utah University and her MA in athletic training from Western Michigan University. She was the head athletic trainer at Comstock High School in Kalamazoo, MI, and a grad assistant at Western Michigan University. Butler has one brother and three sisters. She enjoys hiking, river rafting, snowshoeing, reading, mountain biking, camping or backpacking.
Dr. Mark Finney
Dr. Mark Finney, assistant professor of communications, received his BA in political science and international affairs from Mary Washington College, MS in Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and Ph.D. in mass communications from Colorado Univiersity, Boulder. His academic specialties are media, journalism, and war. He is married to Erin.
Melissa Gastinger
Melissa Gastinger, administrative assistant for graduate school, received her AGS from Colorado Mountain College. Before working at Adams State, Gastinger held multiple positions in administrative assistant and accounting duties.
Chelsea Harmon
Chelsea Harmon, assistant volleyball coach, received her BA in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from Western State University. Harmon was an administrative/marketing assistant for an investment banking consultant as well as a manager at the Sand Dunes Swimming Pool. She comes to the Adams State women's volleyball team with coaching experience as a high school assistant volleyball coach for three years and a club volleyball coach for one year. During her athletic career Harmon received an Academic All-Conference award, was an honorable mention in 2002 and on the 2nd team All-Conference in 2003. She graduated magna cum laude and was on the dean's list for six semesters. She is originally from the San Luis Valley and her parents and one of her four sisters still live here. Harmon has a twin sister. She enjoys swimming, watching movies, or listening to music.
Scott Holman
Scott Holman, an English instructor, received his BA from Adams State and MA from Colorado State. He was previously an adjunct English instructor at Adams State. Holman's academic specialties are composition and beat literature. He is married to Kaycee Gilmore Holman, student advisor/recruiter for Extended Studies. He enjoys biking in the mountains, snowboarding, and surfing the waves.
Larry Joe Hunt
Larry Joe Hunt, associate athletic director, received his degree from Adams State College. Hunt previously was a teacher and coach at Centauri High School for 21 years and at Alamosa High School for four years. He and his wife, Christine Hettinger, have two children who are currently attending Centauri High School, Colby and Lydia Hunt. He enjoys listening to music, specifically jazz, and coaching the Adams State Grizzlies football team.
Kenny L. Jiron
Kenny L. Jiron is a graduate of Monte Vista High School. Jiron was previously employed with the grounds crew for the Colorado State Veteran Center and he joins Adams State as an employee of Facility Services. He is married and has two boys. He enjoys fishing and hunting.
Dr. Debbie Kanipe
Dr. Debbie Kanipe, assistant professor of human performance and physical education, received her BS in secondary education from Corpus Christi State University, her MS in curriculum and instruction and her Ed.D. in physical education from Texas A&M University at College Station. Kanipe has nine years of experience working at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi as an assistant professor. She received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the charter class organization at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. She enjoys nature and taking pictures of beautiful birds.
Dr. Bruce C. Landis
Dr. Bruce C. Landis, vice president for Institutional Advancement, received his BA at Earlham College and he received MS and Ed D at Indiana University. He has held numerous college positions including assistant vice president of Development at Virginia Tech, director of development at the College of Engineering at the University of Wyoming, director of development at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and director of development at the New Mexico Military Institute. He is a certified fund raising executive. Landis is married to Dottie. He enjoys golfing and water scuba diving.
Robert Lopez
Robert Lopez, coordinator of sports and recreation, is an Adams State graduate. Lopez is married to Kristi Lopez.
Karen Metzner
Karen Metzner, residence director for Housing, received her BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in photography from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Metzner was a resident advisor, a desk services manager, a conference chair for a state leadership conference and a housing intern during her time at the UW-Stout. She was recognized by the Association of Alumni and Friends of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls as a National Residence Hall Honorary. She enjoys kayaking, scrap booking, and cooking.
Jenna Neilsen
Jenna Neilsen, assistant professor of theatre, received her BA in theatre and psychology at Ohio Northern University and her MFA in theatre pedagogy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Before joining the theatre department at Adams State she was an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Neilsen's academic specialties are acting and costume design. At the Southeastern Theatre Conference, the Mid-American Theatre Conference and Association of Theatre in Higher Education she presented her research. Neilsen is married but has no children. She enjoys reading, sewing, hiking, and crafting.
Debra K. Owen
Debra (Debbie) K. Owen, academic advisor for First Year Experience, received her BS in family and consumer sciences from New Mexico State University. She has held other jobs at Adams State as a program manager for extended studies and an education advisor for Talent Search. Owen also has experience as a curriculum developer for the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service. Among her awards and honors are a golden Key from the National Honor Society and a Crimson Scholar at NMSU. Owen and her husband, Wayne Owen, have two children. Kate Hudgens is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University and Tommy Owen is a junior at Alamosa High School. Owen enjoys singing, walking, sewing, and watching her children compete in cross-country and track.
Tracy Parks
Tracy Parks, instructional designer academic instructional technology, received her BS in sociology from Kansas State University and her MS in technology with an emphasis in human resource development from the University of Texas at Tyler. She comes to Adams State with six years of instructional design from her time at the University of Texas at Tyler. She received an army commendation medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Parks has two black cocker spaniels. She enjoys golfing, reading, fishing, and mountain biking.
Dr. Stephan C. Roberds
Dr. Stephan C. Roberds, associate professor of history, government and philosophy, received his BA at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, his MA at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and his Ph. D. at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Roberds was a professor at the University of North Alabama, Southern Utah University and Avila University in Kansas City, MO. American politics is his academic specialties.
Deruin Taylor
Deruin Taylor, head softball coach, received his BA from the University of Southern Colorado. For more information on Taylor you can read an article posted on the Athletic Department's webpage; Adams State College Grizzlies: ASC Grizzlies.
