This online semester at Citrus has come with many twists and turns for the whole community. A big part is faculty and making sure the campus has the right people who strive for student success both inside the classroom and on a Zoom call.
Here are three new Citrus College full-time faculty the campus has added this year and what they can bring to further campus growth.
Matthew Parsons
Where are you from?
“I come from a military family and have grown up all over—from Germany and the Netherlands to Georgia and Texas. I’ve called many places home. I’ve spent most of my childhood in Texas and most of my adult life in Southern California.”
What brought you to Citrus?
“I love to teach and I actually got my college start at a community college in Texas. So I have a great appreciation for everything Citrus and its expanding STEM program has to offer students.”
What are some things you feel like you can bring to the campus and your students?
“I believe I have a unique perspective that I can bring to my students. I’ve been in the healthcare and IT industry for the last 20 years and can impart that real-world working experience to my students.”
What has been the hardest thing about teaching with our new online learning? What has been the best thing?
“I love getting to know my students, and that is always harder to do in a virtual environment. The best thing is being able to think outside the box to deliver engaging and innovative labs and lessons with my students.”
Favorite quarantine activity?
“Hanging out with my family, cooking with my wife and watching movies.”
Fun facts about you?
“I’m former Air Force and internationally certified windsurfer.”
Lisa Kolber
Where are you from?
“Born in Georgia, raised in Texas but transplanted to California when I was 16 years old.”
What brought you to Citrus?
“Two primary reasons I am so lucky to be at Citrus.
1.) I met the nursing staff when they brought students to the hospital facility where I was working. I was deeply impressed with the staff and how they were very kind with students but also had very high standards. This interaction and resulting respect was what first got me interested in Citrus.
2.) I knew I really wanted to work for a Junior college. When I was younger I could never have pursued my goals to become a nurse without a junior college. It is important to me that I “give back” and encourage and inspire individuals who also may have life challenges but who still desire to improve their life position and help others in the process.”
What are some things you feel like you can bring to the campus and your students?
“To the students I can share my clinical experience and my passion for the nursing profession. I truly enjoy point-of-care nursing and I feel honored to guide students through their educational journey in providing safe, evidence-base, effective, meaningful patient care. What I hope to bring to the campus is another professional, enthusiastic, proactive voice who enjoys making a positive impact in the campus community. I am open to learning from more experienced academia peers, and I also support and encourage integrating newer, effective methods of pedagogy.”
What has been the hardest thing about teaching with our new online learning? What has been the best thing?
“The hardest thing about teaching online/zoom has been keeping students engaged and excited secondary to the home environment is much more distracting and demanding. Little children do not understand, ‘Mommy or Daddy is in class.’ Plus there are many other distractions in the home environment. Most students did not choose to be online so the transition has been quite challenging for them. We all know the best thing is staying in pajama pants till noon– HaHa! Not really. I like to dress up so I stay in the proper mindset. Best thing is probably saving gas and putting less pollution out in the world.”
Favorite quarantine activity?
“Creating PowerPoints specific to course content.”
Fun facts about you?
“I lived in Germany for 3 years when I was younger.”
“I have gone parasailing 3 times, been in a Hot Air Balloon and have flown in a helicopter multiple times. I chased down Melissa Joan Hart at Disneyland when my daughter was 5 years and got a pic with my daughter and Melissa Joan Hart. She was Sabrina the Teenage Witch at the time. I love to crumble potato chips into my spaghetti. Yum, yum!”
Martha Delgadillo
Where are you from?
“I am a SoCal girl. I was born in East Los Angeles and lived in Los Angeles, including Hollywood, until the age of 7. I was very much a “city child” during this time. I recall being bussed early in the morning from Hollywood to Westchester for Elementary School because our local schools were overcrowded. This was one of the best experiences I had as a child. I moved to the city of Orange at age 7, and soon learned about the suburbs.”
What brought you to Citrus?
“The nursing department needed a full-time instructor, and I was ready to apply and give it my all at the interviews. I am a graduate from Mt. San Antonio College, their RN program. I believe in always giving back to those who have given. Mt. SAC did not have an open teaching position, Citrus did, and I took advantage of the opportunity to apply. The fact that the program has both an LVN and RN program was appealing, considering I have taught both groups in other schools.”
What are some things you feel like you can bring to the campus and your students?
“I am an experienced nurse and have worked in various settings in healthcare. I have a master’s degree in Nursing Education. I believe I will bring authentic lessons driven by clinical experience and advanced education. During my last year in graduate school at Cal State Dominguez Hills, I specifically chose to train and teach in a community college, it was always my goal to teach in an Associates RN program. I decided to explore various fields in nursing over the course of 12 years to adapt and enrich my experience to develop versatility and teach anything that “came my way.”
What has been the hardest thing about teaching with our new online learning? What has been the best thing?
“Best Experience – The faculty. I believe the dean, director and faculty have delivered a smooth transition process and I am very much appreciative of their efforts. Difficult Experience – Not too difficult, but perhaps acclimating to the online platforms. However, after watching training videos, modules and connecting with faculty, the transition has been helpful.”
Favorite quarantine activity?
“Being home and seeing my family more often, this was always challenging for me as I have traditionally held two jobs: working in a hospital and teaching part-time. I have quit my job as an emergency nurse, to focus on Citrus College and spend additional time with my family.”
Fun facts about you?
“I have two boys and have been with my husband for close to 20 years now. I am surrounded by them and I love it. I am very silly at home; I love having fun with my family. My nursing specialty is emergency care, I am a certified emergency nurse. I had the pleasure of working with close friends during this pandemic crisis. We saved lives together. Even though I no longer practice in the emergency department, my heart will always be in emergency care.”
