• College of Liberal Arts
  • Faculty
  • Department of Education
  • Department of English Studies

    • GREATHOUSE, LAURA D., PhD
    Dean of College of Liberal Arts

    Dean Prof. Greathouse received her BA in Sociology/Anthropology from The University of Akron, Ohio, in 1994. She also received her MA and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Binghamton University (SUNY), New York in 1997 and 2000 respectively. Her professional experiences include teaching at California State University, Fullerton and at State University of New York, Binghamton. She has taught TESOL courses both abroad and inthe U.S  for over ten years. Dr. Greathouse also develops various exams for the Certificate of Proficiency in English.

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    BEEMAN, THOMAS., MA
    Associate Dean of College of Liberal Arts

    Prof. Beeman has a B.A. degree in Spanish Linguistics from California State University, Long Beach and an M.A. in Linguistics from California State University, Fullerton.  He is also credentialed to teach Spanish in the state of California and is currently a high school Spanish teacher in addition to his work at IU. His research interests are Linguistic Prejudice, Spanish in the Unites States, and he is currently co-authoring a book about Latinos in the United States.

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    SCHROEPPEL, CLAUDIA, M.A.

    Assistant Professor of Liberal Arts

    Ms. Schroeppel has been teaching in the academic area since 2007. She is a published author, who has received several outstanding awards, speaks German, English, Spanish, French and Latin.

    Ms. Schroeppel began her educational career at the prestigious University of Regensburg in Germany. She studied at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona successfully completing a M.A. in Curriculum and Instructional development, foundational courses in the MA.TESOL, German, and Intermediate Examinations in English.

    Ms. Schroeppel has demonstrated her extensive abilities, by being credentialed in the California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, California Clear Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development Certificate (CLAD), California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential in Foreign Language and Arizona Single Subject Teaching Certificate in German for the Secondary level.

    She taught In Middle Schools and High Schools, competed IMS beginning teacher support and assessment indication program, was a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Student Teacher, Graduate Research Assist, ESL Instructor, Language Assistant and Graduate Assistant.

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    MUZZALL, JULIE A., MA
    Professor of Liberal Arts

    Assistant Prof. Julie Ann Muzzal Thomson received her BA in Art History from California State University, Fullerton in 1998 and MA in Anthropology in 2005. Her professional experiences include working as an Instructor for The Berkeley School, Fullerton CA and also as a Consultant and Personnel Consultant for Hyatt Regency Hotel, Fiji Islands and Old Auckland Custom House, New Zealand.

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    PLOTNER, JESSICA, MA
    Professor of Liberal Arts

    Jessica Plotner has taught ESL courses at the intermediate and advanced levels for many years now. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of California, Santa Cruz  in 2004 and then continued her studies at San Diego State University earning a TESOL certificate and a Master’s in Applied Linguistics. For the last four years, Ms. Plotner has presented at various prestigious conferences such as the CATESOL Annual State Conference. Topics include Teaching Listening with Authentic English, Authentic Listening Using Internet Resources, and Language and Language Attitudes in Veneto, Italy. When teaching courses, Ms.Plotner always focuses on ways to improve the quality of instruction for her students. She has developed authentic, needs-based curriculum and course materials, and adapts appropriate texts that is best fit for her students. Jessica Plotner is an outstanding presenter and teacher dedicated to professional growth.

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    DAVIS, SHERRY D., MA
    Professor of Liberal Arts

    Prof. Davis received her AA in Business from Los Angeles City College in 1992, her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from CSU, Dominguez Hills in 1996, her MA in English with a concentration in Teaching English As A Second Language (TESOL) from CSU, Dominguez Hills in 2000, and her Paralegal Specialist Certificate from University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) in 2004. Prof. Davis’ academic distinctions include achieving the Dean’s List at UWLA. Prof. Davis’s professional experiences include serving as the Legal Secretary with Morrison & Foerster, LLP from 1988-1999, as the Executive Assistant with Shawn Steel & Associates from 2001-2003, and as the Publisher with Personal Wealth Journal since 2003. Prof. Davis previously held or currently holds various licenses including the Series 6 Securities License, the Series 63 Securities License, the Registered Financial Advisor, the California Insurance License, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Arbitrator. Prof. Davis’s articles and publications include My Shoebox (1996), A Wise Woman Builds (1996), 10 Financial Resolutions You Can Keep, Personal Wealth Journal, (January 2003), Personal Finance for Today’s Woman, Personal Wealth Journal (April 2003) and The Wealthy Diva (December 2003). Prof. Davis has presented at several workshops including A Wise Woman Builds. The Wealthy Diva Series, Personal Finance in your 20s & 30s, The Baby Boomer Generation: 7 Steps to a Financially Fit Future, and Savers vs. Spenders: Financial Counseling for Couples. Prof. Davis has received the Outstanding Service Award, County of Los Angeles in 1991 and 1992. Prof. Davis’s teaching experiences include serving as a Sunday School Instructor with First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church from 1989 – 2001, as an Instructor with Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs Today from 1991-1996, as an Instructor with School on Wheels since 2003. Prof. Davis’s professional memberships include Teaching English As A Second Official Language (TESOL), California-Teaching English As A Second Official Language (CATESOL), Los Angeles Paralegal Association, and National Association of Financial Planners.

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    HUME-DAWSON, RODNEY B., MA
    Professor of Liberal Arts

    Prof. Hume-Dawson received his BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Sierra Leone in 1995 and MA in Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2002. Prof. Hume-Dawson received his Professional Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential from CSU, Dominguez Hills and his Certificate of Completion in Adult Education Training in 2003.  Prof.Hume-Dawson has taught at various schools including Coast Christian, Gardena Valley Christian, Divine Savior Elementary, and Calvary Christian schools Nimitz Junior High, and George Washington Preparatory High School.Prof. Hume-Dawson facilitated and presented Motivational Strategies and Ways to Teach Reading to Highly Unmotivated Kids at the South Bay Reading Conference’s annual conference held in October, 2001 and was a Presenter and Facilitator of AB1086 Literacy Strategies to teachers at Nimitz Middle School in Los Angeles.
    Prof. Hume-Dawson is a member of the California Reading Association, the National Council for the Teachers of English, the South Bay Area Reading Council, the California Teachers Association, Poets and Writers Organization, the American Federation of Teachers. Prof.Hume-Dawson is bilingual in English and Krio.

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    ZACK, YANNI ZAFIROPOULOS, EdD, PhD
    Professor of Liberal Arts

    Prof. Zack received a B.A. in Radio Television from CSU, Northridge in 1975, a Paralegal Certification- Litigation from Glendale University of Law in 1981, a Teaching Credential Coursework from CSU, Long Beach in 1987, a M.A. Education from United States International University in 1989, a M.A. TESOL- United States International University, a Special Education Credential from California State University, Los Angeles in 1993, a Administrative Credential University of La Verne in 1995, a Ph.D. in Education from Saint Regis University in 2001, & an Ed.D. in Special Education from Americus University in 2002. Prof. Zack served as a Bilingual, ESL, Special Education Teacher with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD ) from 1984- 2000, as an ESL Instructor with Glendale Community College from 1990- 1993, as an ESL Instructor with Compton Community College from 2000-2001, an ESL Instructor with Long Beach City College from 1997-2004, as Adjunct Faculty- Teacher Education with Cal State Dominguez from 2001-2004, as an Adjunct Faculty of Special Education with National University from 2001-2004, as an Adjunct Faculty with Azusa Pacific University School of Education from 2002-2004, and as an Online Instructor with Walden University School of Education from 2002-2004. Prof. Zack’s professional activities include serving as a Commissioner with LAUSD Special Education Commission from 1995-1996, as a Presenter for Middle Schools Conference, San Francisco in March 1994, and as a Presenter for California. Middle Schools Conference, San Francisco in March 1996. Prof. Zack was Professionally Recognized as a Special Educator with CEC in 1998.

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    JONES, DOUGLAS W., MA
    Professor of Liberal Arts

    Prof. Jones received his BA from UCLA, his MEd/Single Subject Professional Clear Credential in Social Studies/English Authorization BCLAD from University of California, Los Angeles in 1987 and his MA Educational Administration from Cal State University, Los Angeles in 2002. Prof. Jones has served as a Migrant Education Teacher for Mountain View School District (MVSD) 1987-1992, a Mentor Teacher for MVSD from 1990-1992, and currently a Middle School Teacher for MVSD from 1987-2003.