The faculty of the Web Professional program bring creative, technical, and industry expertise to the classroom, as well as a passion for teaching and student success.
Suzanne (Suzie) Ama
Suzie, a full-time faculty member, coordinates the digital media arts programs. She has taught at Cerro Coso Community College since 1998 and has been teaching web development/design and digital media courses online since 2001. She has 30 years of experience in the field of graphic design, including ownership of a small design firm for 8 years. In addition to producing print design products such as business cards, stationery, brochures, and product packaging, she has designed web sites for companies across the country. Suzie has a Bachelors of Fine Art in Visual Communications from American InterContinental University, a Masters of Science in Education from California State University East Bay, and Masters of Science in Human Nutrition from University of Bridgeport, and a Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Her other interests include mountain biking, running, hiking, nature photography, and camping.
Matt Hightower
Matt is a full-time instructor at Cerro Coso teaching a variety of Business, Information Technology, and Economics courses online and at the Eastern Sierra College Center in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. He earned a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Business Administration with an emphasis in quantitative methods. His non-work interests and hobbies include music, photography, general fitness, and hiking, fishing, and snowsports in the Eastern Sierra.
Ray Hocker
Ray teaches digital video production and information technology in these programs. He is also a producer, filmmaker, and photographer. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from National University.
Valerie Karnes
Valerie, a full-time faculty member, teaches Introduction to Computer Information Systems. She also teaches numerous other courses in the Information Technology program. Valerie has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University. In her spare time, she enjoys machine quilting and embroidery, gardening, and spending time with her family and dog, Max.
Michelle Stallings
Michelle teaches the advanced web development courses, including JavaScript and PHP. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Communications and Marketing from CSU Sacramento and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication concentrating in Web Development along with a certificate in social media from the University of Florida. She currently works as a system administrator at NAWCWD in Ridgecrest and her free time is spent doing photography and writing.
Vickie Taton
Vickie Taton earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the University of Nevada, Reno, and has been teaching commercial art since 2005. She has taught at the high school and community college levels, as well as community classes in social media and digital image editing. Ms. Taton also ran her own social media consulting and education company for ten years, lives in the eastern Sierra with her husband, horses, dogs and chickens, and enjoys an array of outdoor activities along with continuing to paint in watercolor, acrylics and oils.