Please join me in welcoming our 13 new Residential Faculty to our campus community. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, contributing to the diverse and dynamic learning environment we pride ourselves on. As they settle into their roles, they will be instrumental in supporting our mission to provide high-quality education and foster student success. If you see them around campus, please introduce yourself, welcome them to our GCC family and feel free to reach out and offer your support as they embark on this exciting new journey with us.
Phil Compton • Mathematics
Phil grew up on a small farm in Indiana and received his undergraduate degree from Anderson University. Seeking an adventure, he packed his truck and drove to Arizona on a whim. Although Phil has been teaching at GCC for 7 years as an adjunct, he has been involved with math education since 2004. He earned Masters’ degrees from Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Grand Canyon University (GCU) while teaching high school math.
Outside the classroom, Phil is a dedicated family man, sharing his life with his wife, a kindergarten teacher, and their three energetic boys, ages 6, 9, and 12. Together, they enjoy hiking, traveling, cooking, and playing games, making the most of their time together. He also enjoys spearheading his neighborhood block parties – which really just involves him texting all his neighbors to tell them he will be smoking a bunch of meat and they can bring whatever. Phil thrives on being around people, and his enthusiasm for connecting with others is evident in both his professional and personal life.
Brian Gerber • Arts
When I was working on my MFA in Cinema Directing at Regent University, I fell in love with special effects, so I studied VFX at The Digital Animation and Visual Effects School in Orlando. Since then, I have been working in 2D, 3D, and live action, especially motion graphics and VFX. Prior to GCC, I was an Assistant Professor at Grand Canyon University. I have led partnerships with organizations such as NASA, Banner Health, the Oakland A’s, and the Milwaukee Brewers. Currently, I am especially interested in AR/VR.
Tonya Hollingsworth • Business
Tonya Hollingsworth is a Professor in the Business and Information Technology Department. Educating minds and inspiring futures at Glendale Community College. Industry expert turned instructor with a passion for empowering youth and young adults and adult learners. An advocate for learning and growth, Professor Hollingsworth strives to assist every student in reaching their future goals.
As a dedicated educator, she takes pride in her grading practices and course collaboration, ensuring students receive meaningful feedback to enhance their learning journey. Professor Hollingsworth’s experience extends beyond the classroom as she actively mentor’s students in DECA and Robotics, and has participated in various professional development opportunities and committees.
In addition to her educational roles, Professor Hollingsworth has substantial experience in training, supervision, and program management within the corporate sector. This diverse background has honed her skills in instruction, course development, and technology integration.
Professor Hollingsworth brings a wealth of experience in education, bridging a successful career in industry with impactful teaching roles. Transitioning from the corporate sector, Tonya began her educational journey in high school, specializing in coding, business, marketing, and hospitality. Her passion for technology and education has since flourished at Glendale Community College (GCC), where she instructs courses such as CIS105, BPC110, and various GBS classes.
With a love of family, sports, outdoors and pets, you can find Professor Hollingsworth at various sporting events, taking trips and engaging in fun and exciting adventures.
Angela Jensen • Nursing
Angela Jensen is a registered nurse and has been teaching for 7 years. Angela is an Arizona native and received her associates degree through Phoenix College and her BSN & MSN through Grand Canyon University. Worked in multiple facilities from long term care to acute care throughout the valley. Found the passion for seeing “the lightbulb” moment when working with a patient and his wife. Leading her to pursue the different avenues for teaching patients and nurses. She is an AZ certified teacher having taught in the public school system as a high school teacher teaching seniors in the nursing program. Angela joined the GCC team when she was dual enrollment educator for the nursing assistant program with a local high school. Came to GCC OYO for the practical nursing program and help in the nursing assistant program, and moved to the RN program shortly thereafter and enjoying every moment of it.
Patrick Lovings • Business
At a young age, I found my passion for technology and decided that I wanted to work in IT when I was old enough. A couple of internships when I was starting college only cemented that desire. I started at GCC working as an Academic Technician, working my way up to Office Technician, Network Administrator, and finally Supervisor of IT at the North Campus. I have been at Glendale Community College for over 20 years working in the IT field. I am a graduate of GCC and NAU, where I earned my Bachelors in Technology Management.
I am now pleased to bring that experience and knowledge to the classroom as a faculty member of the Business Department. My goal is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and ethics needed to start along the path of a cybersecurity professional, helping to protect our digital assets and privacy in our ever-increasing interconnected world.
In my spare time, my hobbies include reading, gaming, photography, and tinkering around with assorted projects such as woodworking and 3d printing. I also enjoy going outdoors and camping when possible.
Dean Magnuson • Automotive
Dean is a seasoned automotive industry professional brining and sharing over three decades of experience. Dean has worked for two major auto manufacturers and a heavy duty truck manufacturer at the corporate level serving as a training instructor, training center supervisor, area training manager, and national technical training development manager as well as a dealer technician. He has also served on the ASE exam writing committees and as an evaluation team leader (ETL) for the industry’s accreditation body. He has experience with Asian, Domestic, and European vehicles having taught and developed course materials for these technologies. He is currently a Master ASE Automotive and medium Heavy certified Technician
Deans Masters in Training and Instructional Design has bolstered his resolve for performance/criterion based instruction that is modeled in part after the work of Robert Gagne. He is a believer in critical thinking and a solid foundation in STEM for the diagnosis and repair of modern vehicles.
Dean will be working as the General Motors ASEP Program Director and teaching a broad range of courses in multiple areas of the vehicle, such as fuel injection and advanced emission systems ASE 180 and ASE 280. He is also looking forward to helping move the Automotive Department in the application for vehicle electrification grants and the creation of both a vehicle electrification and clean diesel programs. He has also spent 20 years as a fire fighter/EMT and rescue technician and has teaching and course development experience in these areas as well having certification as a National Fire Instructor.
Melissa Martinez • Business
Melissa Martinez has built her career around education, business, and technology, working in both the public and private sectors. She has over 16 years of experience designing and building classes in higher education and 10 years of teaching experience in higher education. Melissa has taught for GateWay Community College and Scottsdale Community College as adjunct faculty in the Computer and Information Systems (CIS) department. She has been working in higher education since 2007 as a technology trainer, employee developer, and instructional designer. Prior to that, she worked in industry and has a background in brand management, marketing, and graphic design. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Photography and a Master of Education in Educational Technology from Arizona State University. Her graduate coursework focused on planning, designing, and building engaging and high-quality online courses. Melissa is a Quality Matters Master Reviewer and Peer Reviewer and has been working with Quality Matters since 2011.
Marco Moreno • Business
With over 24 years of experience in the competitive fields of medical sales, youth development, and education, Professor Moreno is a highly skilled and results-oriented professional known for their expertise in leadership, product specialization, team development, and strategic planning. His extensive career has been marked by a consistent track record of exceeding business goals and strategic targets, underpinned by a deep commitment to innovation and excellence.
Professor Moreno began his career in the medical sales industry, where he demonstrated an exceptional ability to build and grow new territories, train healthcare professionals on advanced surgical techniques, and develop strategic business plans that drove significant revenue growth. His tenure with top companies such as Merck & Co. Inc., Nobel Biocare, and Patterson Dental Supply showcased their talent for understanding complex medical products and effectively communicating their value to clients. Highlights of their achievements include consistently surpassing sales targets, developing and implementing training programs, and receiving multiple awards for market share improvement.
Transitioning to the field of education, Professor Moreno brought the same level of dedication and innovation to his roles within the Peoria Unified School District and other educational institutions. As a Program Manager for Career & Technical Education (CTE), he has been instrumental in designing and implementing cutting-edge curricula, integrating technology into learning environments, and providing instructional coaching that enhances both student outcomes and teacher effectiveness. His leadership extends to managing comprehensive CTE programs, coordinating with industry partners, and driving recruitment and retention efforts, all while maintaining a focus on continuous improvement and strategic alignment.
In the classroom, Professor Moreno has excelled as an instructor and mentor, creating engaging, project-based learning experiences that resonate with students and prepare them for real-world challenges. His ability to develop online and hybrid courses, combined with his proficiency in using various learning management systems, has allowed him to deliver high-quality education in multiple formats. His commitment to fostering a positive learning environment is evident in his strong mentorship relationships and the supportive, collaborative culture he cultivates.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Professor Moreno holds a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Texas A&M University. His educational background, combined with his diverse professional experience, positions him as a versatile and forward-thinking leader who is always eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth.
Professor Moreno is an avid sports fan. He enjoys football, basketball, baseball, tennis and golf. Professor Moreno is driven by a passion for inspiring others to reach their potential. His goal with every student is to help provide the development of processes that will help students exhibit grit and adaptability in the workplace/life.
Danielle Murray • American Sign Language Faculty
Danielle Murray is Residential Faculty for the American Sign Language Department at GCC. She is an Alumni of Phoenix College where she earned an Associates degree in Sign Language Interpreting. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration on English as a Second Language and a Master’s degree in Deaf Education. She started her career at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, teaching kindergarten. She loved working in early childhood education and supporting students to develop ASL as their first language and English as their second language for 18 years. While teaching kindergarten, she worked as an adjunct at Glendale Community College for 16 years teaching ASL 101 and Fingerspelling classes. She then took a leap of faith and quit teaching at the Deaf school to become an OYO during the 2023-2024 school year. When she is not teaching, Danielle loves spending time with her husband and two daughters who are 11 and 9. Working full time and being a mom, doesn’t allow for extra hobbies other than watching her children play sports, going to the jump park, hosting sleepovers and all the other fun tween shenanigans.
Mike Patten • PSS
I am a second-generation Arizona native and grew up in Mesa, AZ. At the age of 12 our family moved to Carson City, NV. After high school, I joined the Marine Corps where I served for 4 years. After being discharged in 1998, I moved back to the valley with the goal of becoming a firefighter. I was hired in 2000 by Sun City West, before being hired by the Glendale Fire Department in 2004. I also started teaching EMT at GCC in 2001 and soon after for the Paramedic Program. During my tenure at the Glendale Fire department, I worked as an Engineer, Haz-Mat Tech, Flight Paramedic, and EMS CQI Captain. . I retired in 2023 and started teaching for the GCC Paramedic Program. I have a BS in Paramedicine from NAU.
I am blessed to be married to my wife Danielle and have two daughters Maclay and Mallory. I love to travel to the beach in the summer and to the mountains in the winter. I am excited to join the Gaucho team.
Jeremy Reed, PA-C • PSS
Jeremy was born and raised in Arizona and is a graduate of Glendale High School. He spent a year at The UofA before being drawn to the Fire Department. He spent 20 years with the Peoria Fire Department, retiring as a Fire Captain/Paramedic/Hazardous Materials Technician in 2018. During his time with the Fire Department, he finished 2 AA degrees from Phoenix College, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in educational leadership from NAU. He also taught for nearly 20 years in the EMT and Paramedic programs at Phoenix College and GCC. Prior to retiring he was accepted into the Johnson & Wales University’s (Rhode Island) Physician Assistant Program. After graduating with a MSPAS in 2020, he began to work as a PA in internal medicine and emergency medicine. He was able to come back to education in 2023 at GCC in the Paramedic Program. He currently teaches BIO160 (for paramedics only) and various topics within the Paramedic Program.
He’s been married for 16 years to his beautiful wife Tracy and they have 5 kids; Jaron 15, Zaden 18, Ashlyn 19, Brayden 19 and Jake 21.
Jessica Serna • Nursing
My name is Jessica Serna, I currently teach block 3 (NUR 252) in the Maricopa Nursing Program at Glendale Community College (GCC).
I graduated from GCC’s Nursing Program in 2015, and continued my nursing education and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northern Arizona University. After I realized my passion for nursing and how much I enjoyed precepting students that would come to the hospital I worked at, I decided to seek a position as an adjunct faculty, which ultimately confirmed my love for teaching. I then obtained my Master’s degree in Nursing education, leading to a role as an OYO faculty, and now residential faculty. I currently teach in the didactic, laboratory, clinical and simulation settings. I am currently pursuing my Doctorate degree in Nursing for Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my graduation date is May 2025.
Frank Torres • Computer Science
Frank Torres is Residential Faculty teaching Computer Science in the Math department. Frank brings with him an extensive IT background ranging from programming to cybersecurity to AWS cloud systems administration in addition to over 20 years of college and university level teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His passion for education is matched by his dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements which he incorporates into his teaching methods to enhance student learning. Beyond his technical expertise, Frank is renowned for his dynamic teaching approach and his skill in simplifying complex concepts, making them understandable for all students. As a product of GCC himself (graduate), he believes in the power of education to transform lives and is committed to supporting student success through innovative and inclusive teaching practices. Outside of GCC, Frank enjoys time with family, hiking, working out, traveling, and high performance driving around different racetracks in Arizona.
