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Preparing students for the future are the 2008 College of DuPage Outstanding Part-time Faculty Members. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Robert Sula, Kathleen Michalski, Zhi-Ying Liu, Kimberly Curia, Manju Rupani, Susan Frankson, Kristine Miller and Nancy O’Sullivan. Second row, from left: Carlos Martinez, Ellen Schumacher, Janice Palfenier and Margery Walters. Third row, from left: Kimberley Oakley, Jeffrey Fisher, Robert McDonough, Robert Robson and Margot Underwood.
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 Kimberly Curia
Kimberly Curia has a special “gift” to understand and effectively teach the developmentally disabled student. She was instrumental in creating the curriculum and teaching materials for three courses offered by the Vocational Skills program. In addition, Curia created effective assessment tools for use in the entire program. Student evaluations show that she has enriched her students’ lives by giving them self-confidence and self-respect. Curia continually works to improve teaching methodologies and materials based on student needs. She has exceeded the “norm” for Adjunct Faculty, and her dedication to educating developmentally disabled students is inspiring.
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 Susan Frankson
During the past eight years, Susan Frankson has shown true dedication to her English students and their learning process in the classroom. In addition to her expertise in the classroom, Frankson also reads Writing Placement Essays and works in the Reading and Writing Center as a Lead Coach. Not only has she been instrumental in assisting in the planning of the center’s training program, but Frankson also has exclusively mentored the peer coaches and served as a resource for them. In all that she has done and continues to do, Frankson always goes the extra mile for the students of College of DuPage.
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 Zhi-Ying Liu
Zhi-Ying Liu joined the College of DuPage faculty in 1992. After completing her B.A. in French at Shanghai Foreign Languages Institute in Shanghai, China, Liu earned an M.A. in French at Ohio State University and completed coursework toward her Ph.D. in French at the University of Maryland,-College Park. Liu has been an active and engaged member of the Language program, teaching a variety of courses in French in the Center for Independent Learning and participating in professional development workshops. Recently, she has collaborated with colleagues in the CIL to revise the French curriculum. Liu brings her passion for language learning to her students, who consistently give her high marks as a teacher.
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 Carlos Martinez
Carlos Martinez has worked for BPI since 2005. During that time, he has taught everything from ESL to Workplace Spanish to Technical Math to Citizenship to Advanced Spanish classes. He also has given “pro-bono” presentations at local chambers on “Building a Hispanic Customer Base.” Martinez’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident in the energetic and passionate way he conducts his classes. He infuses his students with a sense of pride and accomplishment in what they are able to achieve. With undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago, Martinez has optimized his personal strengths and personality in his chosen career of teaching. He is truly a valuable asset to the department and in turn to the college’s business community.
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 Robert McDonough
Robert McDonough has been a part-time faculty member teaching evening business law classes for 12 years. McDonough brings his broad experience as a business and trial attorney to the classroom. He is innovative and encouraging, challenging his students to think critically and to see both sides of the legal issues raised. His students consistently evaluate him as an outstanding teacher who inspires their success and individual accomplishments. In addition to his classroom duties, McDonough assists the program and its coordinator in developing examinations, reviewing textbooks and bringing new materials to the discipline. In addition to his law practice and teaching responsibilities, McDonough is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association, and numerous civic and charitable organizations.
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 Kathleen Michalski
Kathleen Michalski has been teaching developmental mathematics at College of DuPage since 1985. As a teacher, she is caring, patient and committed to student learning and retention. Comments from her student evaluations best sum up what Michalski is like in the classroom: “She makes class enjoyable, almost fun. Mrs. Michalski is always available for extra help outside of class. She never gives up on a student. Mrs. Michalski is organized, enthusiastic, thorough, and the best math teacher I’ve ever had.” Michalski is someone who has been able to touch the lives of countless students due to her dedication to lifelong learning and student engagement.
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 Kristine Miller
Kristine Miller teaches creative genre fiction writing in the form of a writers’ workshop. Her classes include students who are experienced in writing as well as those who are new. Her students commend her repeatedly for the “safe” climate she creates for new writers learning to express themselves and the creative ways she challenges the more seasoned writers to grow in their skill. Miller maintains high standards of academic excellence. One of her students commented, “You cared deeply that I not suffer insult, but equally important, that I not suffer empty praise.” Another wrote, “Kristine is fair in her critique, helpful ... She fosters a group camaraderie that is open, creative and supportive. I am a better writer after one term with her.”
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 Kimberly Oakley
Over many years, Kimberly Oakley has demonstrated to the Graphic Arts program that she is an exceptional communicator and gifted teacher. She is a highly dedicated professional who knows how to motivate her students to strive for excellence. Oakley is a dynamic mentor who possesses the gift of being able to make all the subjects she teaches understandable and enjoyable. She has the ability to stimulate the students and add personality to the course material. Students can feel the energy, passion and optimism radiate from her teaching. Oakley not only teaches exceptionally well but also cares deeply about the level of understanding of each student. She is one of the rare instructors who takes the extra effort to make sure all students who need extra help are accommodated.
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 Nancy O’Sullivan
When Nancy O’Sullivan teaches a class it’s always full and never routine. She actively recruits and keeps students coming with her enthusiastic style. She has started new classes through the Teaching and Learning Center and developed and promoted the Weight Training for Women course and Weight Training Over 40. Her students rave about how much they learn, the individual attention they receive and how much fun they have. For the Personal Fitness class, she researched and organized the purchase of visual teaching tools for nutrition and weight loss. These visual aids and her enthusiastic presentations have allowed for deeper understanding of the content and motivated her students. Her willingness and readiness to sub or teach anything in the discipline, along with her commitment to quality engagement of the students, makes her a real asset to the Physical Education program.
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 Janice Palfenier
A dedicated and committed teacher since fall 2003, Janice Palfenier is an outstanding Adult ESL instructor due to her enthusiasm for her discipline area, her broad range of knowledge and her innovative teaching methods. Additionally, Palfenier has drawn from her years of teaching experience and enjoyment of math education to help Adult Basic Education math students successfully bridge the connection between math theory and application. She is an invaluable asset in Adult ESL curriculum development and faculty leadership. Palfenier facilitates professional development activities for faculty and serves as a mentor to new faculty during their first year with the program. She is highly respected by students, faculty and staff alike.
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 Robert Robson
“Professor Robert Robson is the bomb!” “He made me think in ways I never thought of.” “He made a dull class great!” “I would have never have passed without his help.” Time after time, semester after semester, this is what students say about Rob Robson. He is innovative, active, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Without doubt or hesitation, Robson is one of the College of DuPage’s truly outstanding faculty members.
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 Manju Rupani
Manju Rupani is genuinely interested in the education of all children and has worked with gifted, homeschooled and youth enrichment students. Her enthusiasm and hands-on approach to teaching has made her a favorite among students and their parents. She has continued her own education to make sure she is knowledgeable of all the latest technologies and scientific developments, and her expertise in cutting-edge science has brought new enrollments to classes. On her own time, Rupani has developed curriculum for many courses and has attended open houses to promote programs. She is even willing to help train new instructors. She has helped develop a number of classes, including Young Einsteins, Math Masterminds and Jobs of the Future.
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 Ellen Schumacher
As an Adult Education/GED instructor, Ellen Schumacher combines an expectation for excellence with a genuine concern for individual student success. Her solid math knowledge and enthusiasm for the topic combined with current teaching methods and an understanding of the adult learner create a perfect environment for adult learning. In addition to teaching, Schumacher plays a vital role in curriculum development and faculty leadership. Having identified a program need, she developed and adapted a course format designed to better serve the students. Schumacher is a mentor to first-year faculty and is often sought out by other faculty members for support and creative ideas for instruction.
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 Robert Sula
Robert Sula has been instrumental in developing paleontology courses for students of all ages. He has taught for the youth program, as well as the adult continuing education program, giving hundreds of students hands-on opportunities to dig for fossils at a local site. He also takes students on behind-the-scene tours of the Field Museum, giving personal insights on the thousands of specimens stored there. He has developed a following due to his enthusiasm and knowledge. Students relish tales of his personal digs and discoveries in South Dakota and appreciate his generosity in allowing them to handle many of the specimens he has discovered.
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 Margot Underwood
As a dedicated teacher, Margot Underwood has gone above and beyond in working with full-time faculty to develop and teach Psychology 2280, Statistics for Social and Behavioral Psychology. She goes the extra mile for her students and makes statistics challenging yet attainable. She is enthusiastic and passionate in what she does and is always striving to improve her teaching skills. Underwood is ready to share new ideas with part-time faculty and is highly respected by the faculty and students for her continuous efforts to help students succeed.
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 Margery Walters
Margery Walters has been a part-time counselor at C.O.D. for more than 11 years. During that time, Walters has provided excellent individual and group counseling to students. One of her greatest strengths is her individual counseling skill. She is adept at identifying what students need and then works with them to help facilitate those needs. She always keeps in mind that her role is to be available for student phone calls, emails, drop-ins and whatever the situation calls for. She is extremely motivated, always willing to embrace technology, emphasizes quality versus quantity and goes above and beyond in her role as the coordinator of part-time counselors. Walters has participated on both discipline and institutional committees, presented at Food for Thought, taught Education and Career Development, and has been involved in a number of counseling activities throughout her time at C.O.D.
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