President
Lisa Marie “LMC” Coppoletta
In the San Marcos, Texas area, LMC is known as the Shark Lady due to her more than 33 years of activism. She is dedicated to protecting Native American artifacts, historic preservation, and preventing toxic runoff from road projects. Her efforts have led to the preservation of many Heritage Live Oaks threatened by development.
LMC holds a General Class operator license for ham radio, a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) license, and is an enthusiastic QRP CW operator specializing in low-power Morse code.
Her hobbies include documentary filmmaking, photography, and building antennas for ham radio, and studying Ecclesiastical Latin.
President Elect
Michelle Iskra
(No Bio)
Past President
Amber Luttig-Buonodono
Amber Luttig-Buonodono was born near Lansing, Michigan but spent much of her childhood in the United Kingdom. She met her husband in fifth grade German class and married him much, much later in life. She studied Creative Writing at Michigan State University’s Honors College before earning her Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting at the University of Texas at Austin. She has lived in Austin for sixteen years and taught at Austin Community College for the past eleven years and designed and led ACC’s study abroad program to the U.K. in 2014. She currently resides in Austin with her husband and two daughters (ages nine and twelve) and spends her time teaching, writing, traveling, and reading. Currently she is practicing strict social distancing and only leaves her house to pick up groceries curbside.
Secretary
Chris De La Ronde
(No bio)
Communications Officer
Marissa Burill
Parliamentarian
Herb Coleman
Dr. Herb Coleman is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Student Development as well as the former (now retired) Director of Campus Technology Services. A doctoral grad of the University of Texas College of Education Instructional Technology program, his dissertation was on gender role personality traits and the use of technology. He also frequently leads discussions on copyright and computer ethics. He is a member of the Consortium College and University Media Centers (CCUMC) and the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA). He has taught psychology at Austin Community College since 1989 including courses in Effective Learning, Introduction to Psychology, Human Growth and Development and Human Sexuality. He is an affiliate member of the APA, and prior member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) and the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapist (AASECT), a current member of the Southwest Psychological Association (SWPA) and the Texas Community College Teachers Association (TCCTA). Fascinated with technology, teaching and gender Dr. Coleman never grows tired of exploring these topics separately and where they intersect.
Treasurer
Becky Villarreal
For 25 years, I’ve taught English at ACC, primarily at Cypress Creek and online. I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the theater and movies, traveling, reading, writing, and swimming. Recently, I’ve focused on advocacy at the capitol: public education, human rights, DEI, and gun safety. About 20 years ago, as secretary of AFA, I spearheaded an effort at the Texas Legislature to allow long-serving adjunct faculty in community colleges to obtain health insurance by joining each college’s group plan. When Obamacare went into effect 10 years later, hundreds of adjuncts at ACC received paid (or partially paid) health insurance and retirement benefits because of our call to action. As a campus rep, my goal is to continue fighting for adjuncts– whether it’s access to benefits, fair pay, campus safety, diversity, equity, or inclusion.
Cypress Creek Rep
Chandra Vanajakshi
I am an astrophysicist and was a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center Space Sciences
Division, in Moffett Field, California before moving to Texas. My field of research dealt with the Origin of
the Solar System, Star Formation etc.
Currently, I teach Physics and Astronomy at ACC. I teach Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Mathematics
and Statistics at other colleges.
My experience includes:
Teaching:
o 25+ years teaching at universities and colleges in the Bay Area and Texas
o 15+ years teaching Online Asynchronous and Synchronous classes; 20+ years teaching face-to-
face classes and labs
o Subjects: Astronomy, Mathematics, Astrophysics, Physics
o Course Management Systems: Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle
Research:
o Astrophysics
Distance Education Rep
Roy “Luke” Garza
(No bio)
Distance Education Rep
Don Morris
(No bio)
Distance Education Rep
Paula King
As the Adjunct Faculty Association Distance Education Representative, I’ve proudly dedicated over 20 years to serving our students and contributing to the growth and excellence of Austin Community College’s academic community.
My distance education journey began at the Pinnacle Campus, where I pioneered the Interactive Video Classroom, which later evolved into the hyflex/hybrid model popular today. The pandemic further strengthened my commitment to creating high-quality online learning environments for all students, mentoring instructors nationwide, and reinforcing my dedication to serving fellow adjuncts at Austin Community College through the Adjunct Faculty Association.
In this role, I am committed to serving our Association with the same passion, drive, and dedication that I bring to teaching our students—whether in the online space or the face-to-face classroom.
I am devoted to promoting opportunity, fairness, accessibility, and inclusion for adjunct faculty within the broader college community. To support this mission, I actively listen to constituents, host both in-person and virtual Campus Meet and Greets, and serve on college committees to ensure the adjunct perspective is well represented.
Dual Credit/ECHS
Andrew Costigan
(No Bio)
Dual Credit/ ECHS
Aimee Irene Finney
Aimee Irene Finney joined Austin Community College in the Communication Studies department in 2016. Aimee taught high school in Austin for 23 years. Aimee has been a member of the AFAEC for four years serving the South Austin and Eastview campuses. With ACC, Aimee has participated in The Celebration of Great Teaching Retreat, Faculty Intellectual Feasts, Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Division Riverboat cruise, TLED Social Media Takeover, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development International on Teaching and Leadership Excellence Conference, ACC Summer Institute on Active & Engaged Teaching.
Dual Credit/ECHS Rep
Kathryn Statos
Since 2009, Kathy Statos has served at Austin Community College as an adjunct professor of Psychology. Kathy earned a Bachelors in French from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. She earned a Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology with a focus on leadership, teams and organizations from Louisiana Tech University, and a doctorate in higher education administration with a specialization in community college leadership from National American University. Kathy has been faithfully serving as a campus representative since 2016 and has participated and chaired many committees and work groups including: administrative rules, bylaws, compensation, and estaffing. Additionally, Kathy is an active member in community affairs, local service organizations, and the arts. She volunteers for CASA, ECHO, and Brides against cancer. Kathy also volunteers as a job coach for autistic young adults. Since moving to Austin, she has given lectures within the community and is a strong advocate for children, citizens with disabilities, and education.
EVC Campus Rep
Franklin Marciales
Franklin is a native of Colombia, with a diverse and comprehensive background in both hospitality management and education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, an MBA with a focus on Sustainable Tourism, and a doctoral degree in Education. With a deep passion for global cultures, hospitality, travel, and tourism, Franklin has been dedicated to sharing his expertise and ideas with his students for the past 7 years. His experience in the industry spans various roles, including travel agent, airport operations, restaurants, hotels, and resorts. With a focus on cultural tourism and human geography, Franklin remains committed to teaching hospitality travel and tourism and inspiring the next generation of professionals in the field.
Franklin is a research enthusiast who has dedicated his academic career to understanding human behavior and its impact on sustainability. During his master’s program, he conducted research on the behaviors of tourists towards sustainability in Austin, Texas, and wrote his thesis on the topic. Building on this foundation, he went on to pursue his doctoral studies where he explored the attitudes and behaviors of faculty toward students with disabilities at the Austin Community College. His dissertation shed light on the complexities of faculty-student interactions and provided valuable insights for creating a more inclusive learning environment. With his unique blend of research expertise and passion for sustainability and teaching, Franklin is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the field.
Education:
Doctor of Education. Benito Juarez University. Puebla, Mexico.
MBA in Sustainable Tourism. University of Salamanca. Salamanca, Spain
Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Purdue University Calumet.
Hammond,
Indiana
Associate’s Degree in Airlines Services Management.
Politecnico Grancolombiano. Bogota, Colombia
Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management.
Houston Community College. Houston, Texas
EGN Campus Rep
Sharon Simpson
(No bio)
HYS Campus Rep
Angela Smith
(No bio)
HLC Campus Rep
Reno Dudley
(No Bio)
HLC Campus Rep
Charity Benford
(No Bio)
NRG Campus Rep
Kevin Clark
Kevin Clark is a consultant and professor of Communication Studies at Austin Community College who helps students and professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds become more proficient and comfortable with communication on a daily basis.
Before teaching and advising in communication, Kevin studied math and philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and the Institut Supérieur de Philosophie at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. He was then a doctoral fellow both in Linguistics at the University of Illinois and in Communication Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. in Critical and Cultural Studies, with a focus on social interactions as they are formed in cultural times and spaces. He has worked as a translator, proofreader, editor, software trainer, and university course developer, and has taught at Rhode Island College, Oregon State University, and Texas State University.
In his current projects, Kevin is fascinated by the ways that older Modern and Midcentury design and typography may apply to his own formulation of EBIxD, or Empathy-Based Interaction Design, which seeks to create more human-friendly digital products and environments. He is also exploring the intersection of genius, creativity, and culture to predict the boundaries of design. Traveling to islands around the world with his husband, Mark, a composer, singer, and university music librarian, he is mapping out a topology of tourism. He is also writing trade-press books on intercultural versions of the Danish hygge, or “coziness,” and on public speaking and manners, a work tentatively entitled In a Manner of Speaking, which he hopes will bring back the word nice to its proper place as a means to living daily life.
RGC Campus Rep
Ping Chu
(No bio)
RRC Campus Rep
Qaiser Imam
(No bio)
RRC Campus Rep
Queen Samantha Ackers
(No bio)
RVS Campus Rep
David Albert
(No bio)
Riverside Campus Rep
Christina Michura
(No bio)
SAC Campus Rep
Adrián de la Rosa
Adrián de la Rosa is a mitigation specialist currently with the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs (OCFW), which is a Texas state public defender office located in Austin, Texas that represents individuals sentenced to death in state post-conviction proceedings. Before joining OCFW, Adrián led the community education efforts at the Texas Fair Defense Project (TFDP), a nonprofit legal advocacy organization in Austin, Texas. At TFDP, he worked with partners across the state to educate low-income communities about their rights in the criminal justice system. Adrián is an assistant adjunct professor in the Sociology Department at Austin Community College and previously worked as a community organizer on immigrant labor and community development issues. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, a Masters degree in Sociology, and a law degree from Texas Tech University. He is fluent in English and Spanish and actively volunteers with several nonprofits in the Austin community. Adrián was recently appointed by the Austin City Council to serve on the Commission on Immigrant Affairs which advises the city council on issues of common concern to immigrants, particularly in the areas of health and human services, education, and the demographic makeup of the Austin immigrant community.
SGC Campus Rep
Gretchen Harries
(No bio)
Workforce
Jim Christianson
Jim Christianson is a retired attorney and CPA. He has taught as an adjunct for Austin Community College for 39 years teaching all sections of Accounting courses and Business Law in the Management Department. He has represented the Hays Campus on Adjunct Faculty Association Executive Committee (AFAEC ) for 4 years. During his time on the AFAEC he has served on the AFAEC Bylaw Committee and during the last year served on the AFAEC Compensation Committee. Presently he represents the AFAEC on the Austin Community College Curriculum Committee.
Back to Top