Finding the micro in the macro
Shannon DeVaney poses with a dissected frog model outside the Center for Sciences building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2020. Photo by: Chelsea Westman
While many scientific observations happen in a laboratory, the most fascinating discovery for Shannon DeVaney is a few inches long, neon orange and lurks within...
Pierce’s resident “surfer dude”
Most weekend mornings, second generation surfer Sean McDonald arrives at Malibu State Beach at 6 a.m. in his wetsuit to carve waves on one of his 38 surfboards.
The quiet time on the mostly empty beaches soothe him and give balance to his life.
“The feeling...
His love for the arts department shines through
A man stands with a group of students, informing them safety precautions about using a table saw in the workshop. His salt and pepper hair reflects some of the light overhead. His off-white facial hair scatter across his face, down to the underside of his chin as he speaks about what the table saw can do when it comes to making interesting...
Web developer turned anthropology professor
Angela Kirwin wraps her arm around a human skeleton model at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2020. Photo by Peter Villafane.
Angela Kirwin had no plans to return to the classroom after receiving her business marketing degree from San Diego State University. Instead, she worked as a web developer...
From the Tower of Babel
Professor Christine Ersig-Marcus has been teaching for 20 years, first in Switzerland, then in the United States. Ersig-Marcus was born in Switzerland and learned how to speak Swiss-German from birth.
“I make a point of that because Swiss-German can only really be understood by Swiss-German speakers,” Ersig-Marcus said. “For a Swiss person this is a very strong identity marker because...
A Hero’s Journey
Story and photos by Ava Weintraub
Brain surgery couldn’t keep this dedicated teacher away
The diagnosis was dire. The doctors said he had about a week to live and to get his affairs in order.
It was a type of brain tumor called a “schwannoma,” a benign tumor that grows around the sheath of the cranial nerves. But this was a big...
Teaching progression through chord progression
David McGarry sits at the reception desk at the Center for Academic Success at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 15, 2019. (Photo by: Chelsea Westman)
David McGarry poses with the English and ESL tutoring schedule at the Center for Academic Success at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May...
Communications professor helps students overcome fears
Being 10,000 feet in the air, to the sight of a hairy, eight legged tarantula to speaking in front of a crowd of people, these ideas define some of peoples greatest fears.
Helping students overcome the fear of public speaking, Communications Professor Bill Buchynski, has worked on LACCD campuses for 12 years, teaching for 20.
Wearing a plaid shirt, khaki pants...
Dig in, let your voice be heard with Loy
As professor Robert Loy’s students trickle into his small group communication class, they are greeted with upbeat and colorful music playing from his laptop speaker.
The eclectic playlist includes music from diverse genres which he uses in his regular karaoke performances.
As a new full-time faculty member, Loy is the assistant director and advisor of the Pierce College Communications...
Computer science, let’s talk about IT
Eyes fixed to a monitor, mind in total focus, Alex Chen works attentively tapping away with all 10 fingers on a keyboard.
Chen, an instructional assistant for Information Technology (IA-IT), has worked at Pierce College since 2001. He has about six-to-eight different duties in his current position which he says he enjoys.
Chen has converted old Novell network technology within the...