Expert's Corner Technical Education
Agriculture
Brett Forgy - Assistant Professor of Agriculture
Brett Forgy is an Assistant Professor of Agriculture and the Livestock Judging Team Coach at Garden City Community College, where he began working in 2024. He holds an Associate's Degree in Animal Science from Connors State and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska. Inspired by the impactful experiences he had with his own instructors, Brett is passionate about sharing his knowledge and skills with his students. He appreciates the welcoming, family-style community at GCCC and the strong sense of passion he has felt in Garden City.
Allied Health
LaLani Kasselman - BSN, RN, Director of Allied Health
LaLani began her nursing career in 1995 as an LPN, then in 2000 as an RN She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2019. LaLani shares more than 25 years of experience in surgery, behavioral health, long-term care, and medical-surgical nursing with students. She has been teaching at GCCC since 2010 and is dedicated to sharing her love of the nursing profession with her students.
Caroline Bradshaw - RN, Associate Professor of Allied Health
Caroline received her associate degree in Nursing through DCCC. She loves working in the healthcare fields of Home Health and Long-Term Care. She also loves participating in medical missions outreach to underserved areas. Caroline currently teaches for GCCC Allied Health Department and teaches C N A, C M A, and Home Health Aide. She believes learning holistic, quality care is an essential foundation for a successful and meaningful career in healthcare. She continues to work part-time with home health clients, long-term care, and participate in mission outreach.
Jami Major - BSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Allied Health
Jami is a proud graduate of Garden City Community College Nursing School and feels blessed to work alongside some of the great instructors who helped her through her journey. After Jami received her RN, she started her nursing career working in Pediatrics and NICU at St. Catherine Hospital. After a year there, she moved her focus in a completely different direction and went into long-term care nursing and home health. This is where the majority of Jami's nursing career has been, and she is still very passionate about these areas. Jami is able to share her passion for helping others, especially those in long-term care, through her newest nursing position as an instructor of Allied Health.
Misty Wheaton - RN, Assistant Professor of Allied Health
Misty Wheaton, an Allied Health Instructor, received her RN in 2005 from GCCC. She contributes 19 ½ years of experience including Med/Surg, Pre-op/Operating Room/PACU, Home Health, Hospice, Office Nursing, Hospital Administration QA, Wound Care, School Nursing and Long-Term Care Administration. Misty joined the Allied Health Faculty in January 2024. Misty is very dedicated and compassionate when it comes to health care profession as a Registered Nurse. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with her classes as they pursue a career in the always evolving profession of health care. Misty is a native of Garden City, KS.
Tamra Altman - RN, Assistant Professor of Allied Health
Tamra began her career as a CNA in 2000. She graduated from GCCC PN in 2011 and obtained her RN in 2012 from GCCC. Tamra has extensive experience in various healthcare settings including LTC, acute care, and the ER. She eventually became a Director of Nursing. From 2019 to 2023, Tamra served as the Director of Nursing for Garden Valley Retirement. One of her greatest career accomplishments was being named Healthcare Worker of the Year in 2017 by the Kansas Hospital Association.
Animal Science
Dr. Clint Alexander - Animal Science Instructor / Meat Judging Coach
Dr. Clint Alexander started at Garden City Community College in August of 2000. During his tenure, he has assisted in acquiring several grant funding opportunities including building the GCCC Meat Lab, which opened in August of 2013. Over the last couple of years, the departments' online program has become the largest food science and safety provider in the country to the USDA-FSIS. He is HACCP certified by the International HACCP Alliance, including instructor and program status approval, and BQA Certified. He brings a broad knowledge of agriculture and the livestock industry to this department with his education and industry experiences. His meat judging teams have won six National Championships (2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020), seven Reserve National Championships (2001, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2019), the Australian Championship (2014), and has coached 33 All-Americans in meat judging since 2002.
Dr. Alexander resides in rural Finney County with his wife, Paula, and their daughter Paxton.
A.S. - Garden City Community College - Animal Science
B.S. - Texas Tech University - Agricultural Education
M.S. - Texas Tech University - Meat Science & Muscle Biology
Ph.D. - Texas Tech University - Meat Science & Food Microbiology/Safety
Jim Hash - Ag Instructor / Rodeo
Automotive
Bret Haire - Automotive Instructor
Bret graduated from GCCC with an Associate in Applied Science Degree and a Certificate C in Automotive Technology. He began working at GCCC in 2018 as a Lab Assistant and then started his full-time position as an Automotive Technology Instructor in 2020. Bret wanted to become an instructor for two reasons. The first is his passion for all things Automotive, particularly Engines and Engine Performance. The second reason is his joy in sharing that passion with others. His favorite thing about GCCC is the fact that students of all backgrounds are able to come together and find common ground in an area that interests them. Not just in Automotive, but all areas of study.
Ryan Grubbs - Automotive Technology Instructor
GCCC Automotive Instructor, Ryan Grubbs has over 10 years of experience in the automotive industry. Grubbs is an ASE Master Certified Technician, ASE Maintenance and Light Repair Technician, ASE Certified Undercar Specialist, ASE Parts Specialist and MAC Section 609 Certified. He received his training at Northwest Kansas Technical College, completing his education in 2006. He has worked in various repair shops, parts stores and has several years of experience as an instructor. Grubbs brings his passion for both education and the automotive industry into the classroom and lab settings.
Ryan Connolly - Automotive Instructor
Ryan Connolly is an instructor for the GCCC Automotive program. He comes to GCCC after working for Weatherford International for 8 years and Powder River Hydraulics for 3 years. Ryan studied at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. The reason Ryan wanted to become an instructor was because he enjoys training people for tasks that will help them become a contributing member of society and give them the best opportunity to be able to support their families.
Travis Fulton - Auto Tech Instructor
Served Five Years in the US Navy as a Jet Engine Mechanic, after my military service I attended and graduated from Wyotech. Worked as a Diesel Mechanic at John Deere for Five Years. After John Deere I opened and operated my own Automotive repair shops in two separate towns for 15 years, and also was the Transportation Director for the Scott City School District before accepting the job as an automotive Instructor at GCCC. As an instructor I hope that my years of experience in the automotive and Diesel industry can help some young adults attending the GCCC automotive program realize and achieve
Carpentry
Curt Nemechek - Carpentry Instructor
Curt Nemechek is a Construction Technology Instructor at Garden City Community College, where he began working in 2023. He attended Northwest Tech for his education and brings 22 years of experience from working independently in the field. Curt chose to become an instructor as a new career challenge and has found great satisfaction in the collaborative and supportive environment provided by his co-workers at GCCC.
Cosmetology
Daisy Mastin - Assistant Professor of Cosmetology
Daisy Mastin is the Cosmetology Director and Instructor at Garden City Community College, where she began working in the fall of 2020. She earned her Cosmetology Certificate C from GCCC and holds licenses as both a cosmetologist and a cosmetology instructor. Before joining GCCC, Daisy worked at Main Street Salon and Spa for two years. She became an instructor to share her passion for the industry with students and to experience the joy of seeing everything click for them during their training. Daisy appreciates that everyone at GCCC is dedicated to their work and focused on encouraging and building up students for success.
Meredith Owings - Assistant Professor of Cosmetology
Meredith Owings is an Assistant Professor of Cosmetology at Garden City Community College, where she began working in 2024. She completed the Cosmetology program at GCCC and has been a professional cosmetologist for 16 years. Before joining GCCC as a faculty member, Meredith owned and operated her own salon for four years. She takes great pride in teaching and inspiring future cosmetologists. Meredith is deeply appreciative of the diversity and supportive environment at GCCC, and she feels privileged to be part of such a vibrant community.
Criminal Justice
Brandy Unruh - Criminal Justice Instructor
Brandy graduated from Cimarron High School and was a student in the Criminal Justice Program at GCCC. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Central Missouri. After college, she worked at the Garden City Police Department for 17 years. During her time there, she was a Field Training Officer and School Resource Officer. Brandy also served on the Street Gang Unit, Honor Guard, Bicycle Team, and the Community Response Division.
Brandy is a certified PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor, and A.L.I.C.E. Instructor.
Robert Scrivner - Criminal Justice Instructor
Robert Scrivner is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Public Safety and a part-time Campus Police Sergeant at Garden City Community College, where he has been working since 2020. He earned an AAS in Criminal Justice from GCCC, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Leadership Management from Friends University, and has completed several specialized training programs, including the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Academy and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Corrections Academy. Before joining GCCC, Robert spent 17 years with the Garden City Police Department, holding various roles such as Patrol Officer, SWAT team member, School Resource Officer, and Lead Advisor for the Youth Explorer Program. His career also includes experience as a correctional officer, child abuse and neglect investigator, and an Institutional Parole Officer in Texas. Passionate about teaching, Robert was drawn to becoming an instructor after discovering the fulfillment of mentoring and guiding future leaders in law enforcement.
Crop Production Science
Elisa Mai - Crop Production Technology Assistant Professor
Elisa Mai has a passion for agriculture, specifically crop production, that she inherited from 4 generations of family farmers. Growing up in south central Kansas she was exposed to various kinds of agriculture. She has a deep understanding of the value community colleges offer as she holds an associate degree from her local community college. She then transferred to Fort Hays State University where she held many student leadership positions and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Agronomy Business. She continues to be involved in agriculture by instructing those that will be the future of agriculture at GCCC and farming with her family in her time off.
EMS
Gloria Jolliff - Emergency Medical Services Program Director
Gloria Jolliff is the EMS Program Director and EMS Instructor for the Department of Public Safety at Garden City Community College (GCCC). A graduate of GCCC's Paramedic program with an Associate in Science, she also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Studies from Fort Hays University. With nearly a decade of experience as a paramedic, including eight years in Finney County and two years flying with EagleMed, Gloria joined GCCC in 2023. Her passion for teaching is driven by a desire to improve healthcare access and workforce development in rural southwest Kansas. Beyond the classroom, she engages students in real-life experiences, community involvement, and clinical exposure to nurture the next generation of compassionate emergency medicine clinicians.
Industrial Maintenance
Cory French - Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Program
Cory French attended the US Navy's Nuclear Power and Ballistic Missile training program schools, along with attending Grand River Technical School in Chillicothe, Missouri. He has trained maintenance personnel on the job for over 20 years. Ever since attending technical school, Cory has had the desire to become an instructor. This role allows him to teach in an academic setting and pass on his knowledge and experience in a controlled environment dedicated to training the next generation of maintenance personnel. Cory joined GCCC in 2020 and said the thing he appreciates most is GCCC's dedication to providing the necessary tools and environments for the students to receive their training as well as the administration and staff who understand the need for skilled labor in industry and fully support provide anything that is needed to ensure students receive the best training possible.
JDAT
Christian (Gabe) Winger - JDAT Instructor
Graduating from the John Deere program at GCCC in 2006, Gabe went on to be a field technician for several dealerships in southwest Kansas while earning his Master's in JD Education. He worked as a technician until 2014 when he started his teaching career at Salina Area Technical College and started working on his bachelor's degree. In March 2018, Gabe was able to come back to Southwest Kansas and become a John Deere instructor for GCCC. Since then, he has worked to increase the program's awareness at numerous events, while going back to John Deere School for further management training. In January 2019, Gabe completed his bachelor's degree in Science Technology and will continue his education for several years to come.
Nathan Steinle - JDAT Instructor
Nathan was Engine Service Association certified in two and four-stroke engines before he graduated high school. While in high school he had his own small engine repair and lawn care business. His skills have been demonstrated in a competitive environment at many vocational events with multiple state championships and two national finalist medals including world runner-up in small, air-cooled gas engines. Nathan was president of the collegiate Vocational Industrial Clubs of America at Pittsburg State and was maintaining a 3.4 GPA and working approximately 30 hours per week as an
automotive technician while attending college. He has a knowledge of most computer systems and excellent customer relations and organization skills.
Nathan graduated from Pittsburg State University, Kansas Technology Center, in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Automotive Technology with an emphasis on Service Management. Among other industry certifications, he is certified as a master repair technician by the Automotive Service Excellence Association (ASE) with an advanced level certification in engine performance and drivability. Nathan is also an advanced-level instructor for John Deere University. His sixteen years as a vocational and technical education instructor have been a positive experience.
Nursing
Amy Waters - MSN, RN Nursing Instructor
Amy graduated from the University of Kansas with a BSN in 1992, and MSN in Nursing Education from FHSU. She began her nursing instructor career at Pratt Community College from 2004-2008, then at GCCC from 2008-2016. Amy returned to GCCC as a nursing instructor in 2020.
Amy has worked in several areas in her nursing career, including Labor/Delivery and NICU, med surg ICU, physician's clinic, and virtual NCLEX prep coach. She has also served as a medical mission nurse in Haiti twice.
Billie Lund - DNP, RN, CHSE Simulation Nursing Instructor
Billie Jo 'BJ' Lund is originally from Nebraska and began her nursing career at the age of 45 years. Previously, she spent 26 years in retail management. BJ's nursing degrees earned are LPN, Associate RN, BSN, MSN-PH, and DNP. Her nursing experience includes working at the hospital on orthopedics, neurology, rehabilitation, and general Medical-surgical. Once BJ obtained her BSN, she transitioned to school nursing where she worked at an elementary school, middle school, and high school. Following the completion of the MSN-PH degree, she then came to higher education nursing instruction. BJ has worked as a clinical instructor and didactic instructor with students in the Licensed Practical Nurse and Associate Registered Nurse programs. For the last six years, BJ has been a simulation coordinator instructing students in both of these programs. In September of 2023, she obtained her CHSE, certified healthcare simulation educator, certification through the Society of Simulation in Healthcare. BJ has also served as the chair of the Institutional Simulation Committee, as well as the simulation chair at the college campus.
Emmalee Newport - RN, BSN Assistant Professor of Practical Nursing
Emmalee was born in Liberal, KS, and grew up in Turpin, OK. She currently resides in Cimarron, KS. She tied the knot in Sedona, AZ in 2020, amidst the pandemic. Emmalee finds joy in traveling with her family and discovering new places and experiences. At home, she shares her space with four furry companions - three dogs and one cat. Emmalee obtained an ADN (Associate Degree of Nursing) from Seward County Community College in 2016, followed by a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2021. Her first nursing job, and her current position, was in the ICU in Liberal, KS, where she began nine years ago. Over the years, she has also worked as a local travel nurse, serving in various long-term care facilities and local hospitals. For the past three years, Emmalee has been a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). Currently, she is transitioning into the nursing education environment, embracing the new adventure with enthusiasm. In Spring 2024, Emmalee commenced her role as an instructor for the PN program at Garden City Community College.
Lawrence (Larry) Jenkins - MSN, RN CNL Nursing Instructor
Larry's nursing career includes 25 years in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City working as a staff RN, supervisor, and the last eight years as Director of Critical Care, Cardiopulmonary and Flex team. He started at Garden City Community College as faculty in January 2018 and also works PRN at St. Catherine Hospital. Larry's interests in nursing include treatment of sepsis, patient safety, outcomes management, and developing high-reliability systems at the microsystem level.
Larry earned his Master of Science in Nursing at South Dakota State University with an emphasis in Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) in 2017. In 2018, he presented a poster on quality improvement surrounding teaching of the diabetic patient in the ICU microsystem at the 2018 AACN CNL Summit. In 2019 he completed a Post Master's Certificate in Nurse Educator through South Dakota State University. Larry is faculty for the ADN program. His professional memberships include the Clinical Nurse Leader Association, National League of Nurses, and American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
Lorilynn Landgraf - MSN, RN CNE Nursing Instructor
Lorilynn is a Garden City native and graduate of the GCCC nursing program. She has been employed at St. Catherine Hospital Maternal Child 1996 to present. Lorilynn is also a full-time faculty at Garden City Community College Department of Nursing since 2009 to present. She completed a BSN and MSN in Nursing Education from Fort Hays State University and obtained Certified Nurse Educator in 2019.
Sherri Williams - MSN, RN Nursing Instructor
Sherri received her associate degree in nursing through GCCC in 2003, and after coming into education completed her BSN and MSN through Tabor College. She has years of nursing experience in labor and delivery, newborn intensive care, pediatrics, and outpatient specialty clinic. Sherri is able to relate the experience she has obtained in nursing care to experiences that assist all students to develop methods to provide holistic care.
Tracy Lamb - MSN, RN Nursing Instructor
Tracy's nursing career began in 1988 after receiving her associate degree in nursing through GCCC. She has 30+ years of nursing experience, ranging from medical/surgical to critical and emergency care, from nursing supervisor in acute care to home health nurse and director. She joined the GCCC nursing program team in 2011 and has completed a BSN and MSN through Fort Hays State University since becoming a nursing instructor. Tracy is able to relate disease process and nursing care to experiences that help each student see holistic care in action. She brings the love and respect of the nursing profession to the classroom through her thoughts and actions. Tracy's philosophy is that nursing is more than treating an illness; it focuses on delivering holistic quality patient care that individualizes the needs and values of each patient. Nursing incorporates the knowledge of medicine with compassionate care, respecting the dignity of each patient.
Shellie Emahizer - MSN, RN Director of Nursing Education
Shellie graduated from Garden City Community College with AS/RN in 1995. In 2010 she graduated with her BSN from Southwestern College out of Winfield, Kansas. She then graduated with her MSN with an emphasis in Administration and Leadership in 2017 from Aspen University, Denver, Colorado.
Having worked in various areas in health care for over 20 years, Shellie now enjoys sharing her love of nursing with the next generation of nurses.
Welding
Alberto Veyza - Welding Instructor
Devin Wackerla - Welding Instructor
Devin Wackerla started his tenure with GCCC in 2011 as a Welding Instructor. Devin attended Missouri Welding Institute in 2006, gaining his certification in their Master Pipe Welding and Pipe Fitting Course. His welding career has taken him to various industries in various states including shutdowns, turnarounds, and new construction in power plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, sanitary plants, pipeline fabrication, and oil field repairs. Devin is also a Certified Welding Inspector, a NCCER Craft Trainer for Welding, Pipefitting, and Core Curriculum, and carries numerous welding certifications in various processes.
Norman Wyatt - Welding Instructor
Norman Wyatt is an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Welding Instructor at Garden City Community College. He began his welding career in 1975 with Boss Irrigation and has accumulated over 40 years of welding experience working with various businesses. Norman has taught welding for 6 years in the pipe lab and 3 years in manufacturing welding, being with GCCC since 2015. He was motivated to become an instructor to share his knowledge and help students succeed, leading to the establishment of a much-needed welding program with Cory French. He enjoys teaching at GCCC and taking pride in watching students improve their welding skills.