Meet our Faculty
Get to know the friendly faces of TC!
Why did you decide to teach?
Dr. Alyce Bunting, Faculty Sociology & Psychology
“I love our small classes, getting to know students so when I see them in public I can call them by name! And we are such a close-knit family. TC really is a special place to work.”
Shuntane Reaves-Dean, Faculty Nursing
“I wanted to do something that would be challenging, interesting, and make a difference in people’s lives daily. My nursing instructors had such a great impact on my desire to become a great nurse, and I wanted to instill that passion, drive, and pride for the nursing profession into others.”
Valerie Shirley, Faculty English
“I love working with people. It is amazing to see students as they grow and accomplish their goals. One major bonus that I did not anticipate is how much I am inspired by my students. Their passion encourages me to continue learning and set my own goals.”
Karin Grisham, Faculty Biology & Chemistry
“Teaching is something I have known I wanted to do for as long as I can remember. There was never a question of what I wanted to do when I grew up.”
Holley Robinson, Faculty Biology
“I think that education is the key to personal freedom. I wanted to help students gain academic skills and knowledge that they could take with them always. Education also helps individuals gain social and life skills that are just as important as any core curriculum. I think that education is vital for the progression of individuals and an overall community.”
Why Texarkana College?
Doug Saffel, Dean of Social Sciences and Prison Education
“Texarkana College is a leader school not only for the area, or the state, but for the nation.”
Delbert Dowdy, Faculty Physics
“At a community college, you can concentrate on teaching. Texarkana College has a special culture of supporting each other and the main goal of teaching. I feel everyone has one goal and that is to help students succeed.”
Why your subject area?
Ken Smith, Faculty Computer Technology & Information Systems
“I have been fascinated with computers since I was a teenager. I loved playing the computerized video games at the arcade and was intrigued about what made them work. It amazes me how far computers have come in my lifetime!”
Kimberly Randles, Faculty Nursing
“I just love nursing….caring for people when they are in their greatest need.”
Amanda Ritter-Maggio, Faculty English
“Being able to read and write well are essential in every career, and I like helping people learn the building blocks they need in order to be successful, whatever their next steps are.”
Sam Rivas, Faculty Economics
“Economics is constantly changing because the moving parts are you and I. As you and I change, and for every decision that you and I make, the economy changes.”
Dr. Beverly Rowe, Faculty History
“Everybody loves History! Sometimes people don’t realize they do, but they turn on TV programs about history, they read books with historic themes, and when they travel they visit historic sites. My parents took my brother and I to every art museum, natural history museum, and historic site near our homes as I was growing up. My husband and I did the same for our children. History is another core thread of my life.”
Rob Howard, Faculty History & Psychology
“History has always fascinated me. I read about the past and wish I could go there. Psychology is more recent as a discipline of study for me, but I have always been curious about motivations and actions of people.”
Dr. Dixon Boyles, VP of Instruction
“People have been telling stories about who we are as long as we have been around. History and English are a big part of how those stories are kept alive. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?”
What’s something interesting about you?
Mark Storey, Faculty Biology
“I have a lot of fun doing nature/bird photography, and I play keyboards and sing in an area county band called, DURANGO. We play area dance halls and have been doing it for over 30 years now.”
Shanna Cheney, Faculty Speech
“I am actually a licensed DJ, and that was one of the coolest jobs I ever had!”
Kim Penny, Faculty Nursing
“I love the outdoors, whether it’s digging in the dirt in my flowerbeds, four wheeling through the woods, kayaking on the lake, snorkeling in the ocean or hiking through the mountains. Outdoors is my favorite place to be!”
Robert Laird, Faculty Biology
“I sometimes have people mistake me for Kenny Rogers. I don’t think I look that much like him, but it cracks me up.”
Curt Langford, Faculty Accounting
“I like the logic and structure that is a big part of accounting.”
Dana Strickland, Faculty Child Development & Psychology
“I am an avid dog lover! This is fairly new for me as we did not have a lot of pets while I was growing up. I have 2 indoor dogs, especially, that are the loves of my life. I have now become one of those “dog people.” I also collect frogs and my office is where the overwhelming majority of my collection is housed. My favorite color is green and a student purchased a cute frog for me years ago. The collection has multiplied greatly over the years and I find the decor and bright colors very pleasing. it definitely makes for an interesting conversation piece!”
Shannon Duke, Faculty Nursing
“I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR is heavily involved with community service both locally and nationwide. My fifth great grandfather fought for our American freedom in the Revolutionary War. I traveled to Missouri a few years ago to see his grave and the commemorative plaque for his Revolutionary War service.