Virginia Beavert Sahaptin/Ichishkin Language Professor Ms. Beavert is a Yakama Native and the foremost expert on the native Yakama language of Sahaptin. In 1991, she helped establish the Sahaptin language program at Heritage and, in 2010, wrote the only Sahaptin dictionary. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Linguistics at University of Oregon.
Wanda M. Brown-Billingsly Associate Dean of the College of Education and Psychology Associate Dean Brown-Billingsly comes to Heritage from the Seattle School District where she served as Director of Systemic Interventions. An educational leader across the preschool-12 spectrum for the last 25 years, she has developed programs in multiple public school and university settings to improve student achievement and teacher performance. In 2009, she was appointed to the Washington State Governor's Commission for "Closing the Gap" in education. She is highly familiar with local and national policy initiatives to improve education.
Dr. Matthew Burns English Professor Dr. Burns comes from Binghamton University in New York, where he taught Composition and Oral Communication. He has a Ph.D. in English, Creative Writing, and has won numerous poetry and writing awards, including the James Hearst Poetry Prize.
Melissa Hill Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Originally from the Yakima Valley, Ms. Hill joins Heritage after 12 years with the University of Alaska Statewide System. Her background is in adult education, career development, grant management and teacher placement. She has a Master of Arts in Adult Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Ms. Hill will lead the development and implementation of Heritage's new career center. She also will supervise the academic advising team and assist in the oversight of several special projects, including ActSix, the honors program and the student advocacy process.
David S. Irwin Bilingual Education Professor Seattle Region Mr. Irwin founded Language Development Opportunities, a Vancouver, Washington, company that provides training and consultation to improve academics in English Language Learners (ELL). He also previously served as Literacy Specialist with the Longview School District in Longview, Washington. He is the current Chairman of the SW Washington Bilingual Advisory Committee.
Lori C. Jones Assistant Professor of Nursing Education Professor Jones previously served as Unit Nurse Educator with Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and has more than 28 years of patient care experience. She has completed her Post Masters Certificate in Education from Walden University.
Dr. Tyson A. Miller Associate Professor of Sciences Dr. Miller was a Department of Chemistry instructor at the University of Connecticut. He also taught at the University of Illinois in Urbana and at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Dr. Tyson has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and specializes in Chemistry Education and Organic Synthesis. He has been a member of the American Chemical Society since 1992.
Joseph Gomez Moreno Assistant Professor of History Professor Moreno comes from Michigan State University where he was an instructor and is now completing his Ph.D. in American Studies and Chicano/Latino Studies. He has taught a wide range of subjects from sports history and pop culture to racial and ethnic relations. He also has taught at California State University-Northridge; California State University-Channel Islands; Moorpark College; and Oxnard Community College.
Darryl Parks Librarian Mr. Parks comes to us from the Jackson Library at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, where he earned his Master of Library and Information Studies. He is a member of the American Library Association.
Dr. Robert Lynn Smart Dean of the College of Education and Psychology Prior to joining Heritage, Dr. Smart was Assistant Superintendent of Educational Service District 123 in Pasco, Washington. He also was part of the core tenure-track faculty at Boise State University engaged in developing a cohort program to teach educational leadership to graduate students. During his career, he has served as a top administrator and/or adjunct faculty member at numerous institutions, including Richland School District, Gonzaga University, Boise State University, Washington State University-Tri Cities and the Richland and Walla Walla School Districts. He has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Dr. Anne Stojke Reading Education Professor Dr. Stojke previously was a faculty member at Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia. She also has taught at the College of Menominee Nations in Keshena, Wisconsin, and at Oakland University in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Stojke has a Ph.D. in Reading Education and also specializes in the use of microcomputers and other technology used in education.
Greg Sutterlict Sahaptin/Ichishkin Language Professor Mr. Sutterlict is a Heritage alum and doctoral candidate in Linguistics at University of Oregon. He specializes in the native Yakama language of Sahaptin.