My first day at JCCC was a Friday in November 2019. The very next day, I was taking a group of JCCC Honors students to a conference at Emporia State. Things have not slowed down since! My research interests have evolved over the past two decades from representations of American princesses to translations of American teen-girls’ films. I am still very passionate about questions of transnational representations of gender and race in film. I have carried over many of these questions to my day to day as an administrator. In this role, I have enjoyed asking the hard questions of inclusion and diversity and working to make our environment more just. My publications of late all focus on social justice and higher education, in one way or another. When I don’t work or write, I enjoy spending time with my two boys (Ziggy, 8 and Louis, 10), reading, and baking. I have few skills, but I enjoy cooking and baking for others. Of late I have developed an interest in mindfulness practices, such as Qi Gong and the Taoist philosophy more generally.
Regan Baker
Honors Retention & Completion Specialist
rbaker55@jccc.edu
While my undergraduate degree was in English and copy editing, my work experience and master’s degrees have been focused on higher education and academic advising. I love getting to know students individually through advising, mapping out paths together that help students reach academic and personal goals. Most recently I have advised at KU’s University Honors Program (Rock Chalk!) and directed Avila University’s Student Support Services program (a part of TRIO’s college branch for first generation college students). Stop in my office to say hello or to see a photo of Dino, Martin, and Randy – my dog and two cats.
Melissa Nolan
High Impact Practices Specialist
mnolan13@jccc.edu
I relocated to Kansas City from North Carolina in May 2022 and joined the honors team. I have a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science from East Carolina University (ECU). Prior to coming to JCCC I was the director of ECU’s child development center and taught classes in child development and administration of early childhood programs. I strongly believe in the value of the real-world experience in conjunction with classroom learning and look forward to guiding students in finding the right experiences for their goals. I have two golden retrievers named Mia and Teddy who I adore and love spending time by the water.
Natalie Bergman
Honors Counselor
nbergma1@jccc.edu
Education:
BA, Political Science, University of Notre Dame
MA, Counseling and Guidance, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Campus Involvement:
Program Counselor for Graphic Design, Photography, and Music
Honors Program Counselor
Professional Interests:
ADD/ADHD
Autism
Transfer students
Melanie Roberts
Honors Counselor
mrober64@jccc.edu
Education:
BS, Psychology, Iowa State University
MA, Counseling and Student Development, University of Iowa
Campus Involvement:
Program Counselor for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Counselor to women’s basketball team
Professional Interests:
Career counseling
Educational planning
Healthcare students
Returning adult students
Undecided students
Erin Walters
Honors Counselor
ewalte26@jccc.edu
Education:
BS, Psychology, Eastern Illinois University
MS, Clinical Counseling, Eastern Illinois University
Campus Involvement:
Mental Health Outreach Committee (MHOC)
Honors Program Counselor
Sexual Assault Response Task Force (SART)
STEM cluster
Professional Interests:
Anxiety
Crisis counseling
Interpersonal violence (sexual violence, dating and intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual harassment, bullying)
