Division of Math & Science

The Math, Science mission is to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge essential to excel in the fields of science, engineering, and health. Guided by knowledge and compassion, MS fosters a dynamic learning environment that promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of professionals who will contribute to advancing the science, engineering, and health disciplines and positively impact our community’s well-being.

MS Goals:

• Educational Excellence: Strive for academic excellence by providing rigorous and inclusive education that equips students with a deep understanding of mathematics, science, and health-related subjects.
• Innovation and Research: Foster a culture of innovation and research, encouraging students and faculty to explore new frontiers, contribute to cutting-edge discoveries, and address pressing challenges in their respective fields.
• Collaboration: Promote intra and interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty to create a holistic approach to problem-solving, reflecting the interconnected nature of math, science, engineering, and health.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Cultivate a diverse and inclusive community that values and respects individuals of all backgrounds, fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to learn and contribute.
• Ethical and Responsible Practice: Instill a strong sense of ethical responsibility in our students, emphasizing the importance of integrity, compassion, and social responsibility in their professional practice.
• Community Impact: Strive to positively impact our local community by promoting and engaging individuals with the college. From outreach activities to training our community’s future professionals, the MSHP division helps the community gain the knowledge and skills to address the challenges faced by the community and beyond.

By adhering to these goals, the MSHP Division aims to create a learning community that produces highly skilled professionals and compassionate leaders who contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.

Empowering individuals and redesigning the world around us: Our goal is to provide equitable, accessible, and applicable education in math, science, engineering, and health. We aspire to cultivate a community of learners, thinkers, and innovators who lead with compassion and drive positive change in the community.

Division Goals:

• Curriculum Enhancement: Revise and enhance the curriculum to incorporate the latest advancements in math, science, and health professions, ensuring students are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Technology Integration: Integrate cutting-edge technologies into the learning environment, providing students with hands-on experience and preparing them for the evolving demands of their respective fields.
• Innovative Teaching Models: Pioneer innovative teaching models, including online and blended learning approaches, to cater to diverse learning styles and reach a broader audience.
• Student Engagement: Implement initiatives to enhance student engagement, such as mentorship programs, extracurricular activities, and collaborative projects, fostering a sense of community and support.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Forge partnerships with industry leaders, research institutions, and healthcare organizations to provide students with valuable exposure and real-world experiences.
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Develop and implement initiatives to increase diversity and foster inclusivity within the academic community, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
• Community Outreach and Public Health Initiatives: Expand community outreach programs and public health initiatives that leverage the institution's expertise to address health disparities, science exposure and contribute to the well-being of local and global communities.

By strategically pursuing these short-term and long-term goals, we aim to realize our vision and position ourselves as a leader in math, science, and health professions education with a profound and lasting impact on individuals and society.

Math, Science, and Health Professions Facilities are specialized spaces designed to support education, research, and practical applications in the fields of mathematics, science, and health-related disciplines. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, laboratories, and resources to facilitate hands-on learning, experimentation, and collaboration among students, faculty, and researchers.

Math Facilities:
Our mathematics facilities include classrooms with LCD projectors and other interactive technology, flexible and cooperative classroom spaces, and computer labs equipped with advanced mathematical software. These spaces are designed to foster an environment conducive to collaborative learning, community building, math exploration and mastery, and the development of quantitative problem-solving skills.

Science Facilities:
Our Science facilities include classrooms equipped with technology to provide students with engaging and interactive learning experiences. Some of our science classrooms are equipped to provide students with flexible technology, which allows students to engage in the course face-to-face, synchronously online, or asynchronously online. Science facilities encompass various laboratories dedicated to physics, chemistry, and biology. The biology labs include a variety of models and specimens as well as many living organisms. Additionally, our courses have access to a cadaver lab and an Anatomage table, which allows students to explore human anatomy at different levels. Our chemistry labs train students on how to use current chemistry glassware and follow safety standards, which is important when working in any industry field. Additionally, the labs provide access to equipment widely used in a chemistry lab, including a mass spectrometer, pH meter, and UV spectrometer, among others.

Division

Title	Name	Email	Phone	Room
Dean of Arts & Sciences	Dr. Michael Hepner	m.hepner@dacc.edu	217-443-8806	MM 170
Division Admin Assistant	Suzanna Aguirre	s.aguirre@dacc.edu	217-443-8805	MM 169
Nursing Admin Assistant	Angel Fellers	a.fellers@dacc.edu	217-443-8553	MM 172
Laboratory Technician	Kylie Crisp	k.haun@dacc.edu	217-443-8795	MM 275

Program Directors

Title	Name	Email	Phone	Room
Director, Mass Learning Center	Tracy Thompson	t.thompson@dacc.ed u	217-554-1671	MM 123

Full Time Faculty

Title	Name	Email	Phone	Room
Faculty, Math	Amber Anderson	a.anderson@dacc.edu	217-554-1692	MM284
Faculty, Math	Marjorie Larson	m.larson@dacc.edu	217-554-1520	MM276
Faculty, Microbiology	Dr. Wendy Brown	w.brown@dacc.edu	217-554-1516	MM280
Faculty, Biology & A&P	Dr. Burcu Carlon	b.carlon@dacc.edu	217-443-8796	MM282
Faculty, Chemistry	Dr. Jason Combs		217-443-8818	MM282
Faculty, Biology & Zoology	Stephanie Loveless	s.loveless@dacc.edu	217-554-1518	MM282
Faculty, Math & Physics	Dr. Quan Chen	q.chen@dacc.edu	217-554-1515	MM274
Faculty, Chemistry	Dr. Amy Nicely	a.nicely@dacc.edu	217-443-8816	MM272
Faculty, Biology & A&P	Amanda Poffinbarger	a.poffinbarger@dacc.edu	217-443-8829	MM280
Faculty, Math	Eric Rayburn	e.rayburn@dacc.edu	217-554-1513	MM165
Faculty, DMS	Danielle Haddix	d.haddix@dacc.edu	217-554-1652	MM117
Faculty, Math & Physics	Kathy Sturgeon	k.sturgeon@dacc.edu	217-554-1672	MM113
Faculty, Math & Physics	Mark Hardwidge	m.hardwidge@dacc.edu	217-443-8817	MM284
Faculty, Math & Physics	Alan Thompson	a.thompson@dacc.edu	217-554-1534	MM276
Faculty, Developmental	Barbara Weldon	b.weldon@dacc.edu	217-554-1661	MM113

Adjunct Faculty

Title	Name	Email	Phone	Room
Professor, Nutrition	Nancy Allen	n.allen@dacc.edu	Web Only
Professor	Mark Cervantes	m.cervantes@dacc.edu	217-443-8550	MM 128
Professor, Nutrition	Sylvia Crowder	s.crowder@dacc.edu	WEB Only
Professor, Health	Michele Duke	m.duke@dacc.edu
Professor, Nutrition	Bethni Gill	b.gill@dacc.edu	Web Only
Professor, Botany	Brandy Marron	b.marron@dacc.edu	217-443-8713	TC 106
Professor, Health	Christopher McMahon	c.mcmahon@dacc.edu
Professor, Health	Sharon McMahon	s.mcmahon@dacc.edu
Professor	Tracy Thompson	t.thompson@dacc.edu	217-554-1671	MM 123

SIM Lab Personnel

Title	Name	Email	Phone	Room
Staff	Linda Brown			MM 188
Staff	Diane Meers			MM 188

Dual Credit Faculty

School/Discipline	Name	Email	Phone	Room
Armstrong HS/Chemistry	Nathan Gayheart
Bismarck HS/MATH	James Hasty
Milford HS/MATH	John Jennings
Georgetown-Ridgefarm HS/Math	Cheslyn Kelly
Danville HS/MATH	Kelly Yohnka