Friday, July 25, 2025

The Man Behind the Magic

Draped over the crushed red velvet chair with a soft smile playing across his lips, Michael Sande unwinds inside the Pierce Performing Arts Mainstage theater after a chaotic afternoon. As the managing director for the Performing Arts Department at Los Angeles Pierce College, it is his job to make sure that shows goes on without a hitch. The Seattle native...

Helping students transfer one step at a time

Wearing a warm smile framed by primly-styled sandy blonde hair, Norine Fine, 61, waits patiently behind the reception desk for early appointments. Fine is a general counselor in the Transfer Center at Pierce College. Her job is not only to help students find their majors, but also to assist and advise them if they are considering alternative options. “I connect students...

Media arts hires new instructional assistant

The sound of keys jingling in the keyhole of the door to the Roundup can be heard over the chaos and chatter of the newsroom. A tuft of dark brown hair and a pair of searching brown eyes survey the room to see if there’s a class in session. He sits at a computer and types for a few...

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...

Coach to Cubs scout

Chicago native Bob Lofrano sits in his office in the North Gym, leisurely typing player reports for current and prospective MLB athletes. With his tan, leathery skin, and his small, wire framed glasses, Lofrano’s eyes are fixed on his computer. Chicago Cubs memorabilia adorn his office as he prepares himself for a busy day, jampacked with sporting activities. With flashbacks...

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...

A Stand-up Educator

Backlit by morning light, a figure sits at a desk in a modest office situated by a winding row of spanish-style bungalows. The muted grey and cream colors of the office walls contrast with the beaming smile hidden behind a black Dell computer monitor. At 6 a.m. political science professor Denise Robb arrives each day to Pierce’s campus with...

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...

A marvel professor

Sarcasm rolls off his tongue as if it’s second nature, followed by a deep chuckle that is met with the sound of laughter and wide-eyed amusement on the faces of 20 seated before him. History is not usually associated with humor, but associate professor of history Brian Walsh knows how to put the two together. Walsh brings a sense of...