Faculty & Contacts
Nicolette Bell
335D Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2482
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: nbell24@cscc.edu
About:
Nicolette currently holds the position of Psychology Instructor at Columbus State Community College. As a native of South Africa, Nicolette moved to the United States to pursue a college degree and play college soccer. She graduated with her master’s in psychology and communications from Marshall University, after which she spent 7 years working in the mental health therapy and corporate training worlds. Nicolette joined higher education in December 2011 and played roles in the Student Life and counseling teams before moving across to the faculty side. Her passions include retention, the first-year experience, peer mentoring, leadership opportunities, as well as counseling and mental health services for students. Nicolette is married to Michael Bell and they have one son Kamden and a fur baby Strummer. In her free time she coaches a youth soccer travel team and participates in Crossfit.
Degrees:
Masters in Psychology from Marshall University
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Lilia Bermúdez
316 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5077
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: lbermude@cscc.edu
About:
Lilia Bermúdez was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez Puerto Rico and her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at the InterAmerican University, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. While she was still working on her master’s degree, she started working as a counselor in a private school, which helped her to realize that many of the students’ problems were the result of family problems. To find out more, she began the doctoral program in Family Science with a minor in Developmental Psychology in the Department of Family Relations and Human Development at the Ohio State University. During her doctoral studies, she worked first in the Sophie Rogers Laboratory with infants and toddlers and then for Head Start as a family service worker helping Head Start families take responsibility for their children’s education.
While she was working on her doctoral dissertation, Dr. Bermúdez began teaching at Columbus State as an adjunct, where she discovered her passion for teaching and working with students, both formally and informally as a mentor or as an advisor. Bermúdez’s work at Columbus State includes being an advisor for the International Student Association. Dr. Bermúdez also loves to travel and enjoys being with her family.
Degrees:
B.A., Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Psychology
M.A., Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Family Sciences
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Adolescent Psychology (PSY 2551)
Nicole Brandt
334 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5367
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: nbrandt2@cscc.edu
About:
Nicole Brandt earned her B.A. in Psychology from Ohio University in 2002. She remained at Ohio University for graduate school and earned her M.S (2005) and Ph.D. (2009) in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in children and adolescents. Dr. Brandt moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 2008 to complete her predoctoral clinical internship at the VA Maryland Health Care System/University of Maryland Baltimore Psychology Consortium (2008-2009). She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (2009-2011) and was also an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Maryland. Prior to coming to CSCC, Dr. Brandt was a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where she helped advance school mental health at the local, state, and national level. She is also a licensed psychologist and has provided mental health services to youth and families across many settings, including several years in the Baltimore City Schools.
Dr. Brandt has worn many hats, but teaching, supervising, and mentoring students is her passion. She is very invested in her students’ education and helping them to be successful. She is honored to have received the Graduate Associate Outstanding Teaching Award at Ohio University (2008) and the Outstanding Supervisor Award at the University of Maryland (2012). In addition to her teaching interests, Dr. Brandt continues to be involved in research on improving family engagement in children’s mental health services. Dr. Brandt is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and is a huge Steelers fan! She enjoys baking, exercising, music, movies and most importantly spending time with her family.
Degrees:
B.A., Ohio University, Psychology
M.A., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Child Development (PSY 2261)
Kelly Broxterman
335E Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5882
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: kbroxterman@cscc.edu
About:
Kelly Broxterman earned her B.A. in Psychology from Mount Mercy University and her M.A. in Special Education and Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Oregon. She has worked as a school psychologist, district trainer, and MTSS consultant. Prior to coming to Columbus State, she was an associate professor in the School Psychology program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. There she held roles as the service-learning coordinator and practicum training director. In 2016, she was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award. During her time at The Chicago School, Dr. Broxterman worked as a lead coach for the Illinois MTSS Network, a state personnel development grant designed to provide professional development, technical assistance and coaching to Illinois school districts. She has co-authored three books on MTSS and systems change.
Dr. Broxterman has three children in elementary and preschool. She enjoys spending time with her family, working out and volunteering at school. She is originally from Chicago and has a love of deep-dish pizza.
Degrees:
B.A., Psychology, Mount Mercy University
M.A., Special Education, University of Oregon
Ph.D., School Psychology, University of Oregon
Ron Elizaga
318 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5036
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: relizaga@cscc.edu
About:
Ron Elizaga was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up across the Ohio river in Steubenville, OH. He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and his MA and PhD in Experimental Social Psychology from Ohio University. Ron is a past winner of the CSCC Distinguished Teaching Award and the Honors Faculty Member of the Year Award.
At Columbus State, Ron enjoys introducing students to the field of Psychology and helping them think about themselves and their world in more critical ways. He is one of the founding members of the Generation One Trailblazers (GOT) - a faculty resource group aimed at helping first generation college students. He currently teaches the Honors version of Intro Psych, and is also the Distance Learning lead instructor for the Psychology Department. In addition to his teaching interests, Ron maintains research interests in cognitive construal theory, stereotype threat, goal persistence and motivation, and other areas of social cognition. In addition to teaching Psychology at CSCC, Ron is a rabid sports fan. He also enjoys music, movies, and spending time with his family.
Degrees:
B.A., University of Notre Dame, Psychology
M.A., Ohio University, Experimental Social Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio University, Experimental Social Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Honors Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100-H)
Personality Psychology (PSY 2530)
Social Psychology (PSY 2325)
Bree Frick
332 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2839
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: bfrick@cscc.edu
About:
Bree Frick is the lead instructor for the education-themed courses within the department. She holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and an M.A. in Educational Psychology. She spent eight years teaching public middle school before pursuing graduate research that focused on motivation, goal orientation, and teacher beliefs about creativity.
Bree helps coordinate pathways between CSCC and area institutions that offer teacher licensure and certification programs. She is dedicated to helping students interested in a career in K-12 education find their strengths, and guiding them toward teacher licensure programs that suit their needs.
Degrees:
BFA, The Ohio State University
M.Ed., Ashland University, Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., The Ohio State University, Educational Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Educational Psychology (PSY 2200)
Children with Exceptionalities (PSY 2245)
Introduction to Education (EDUC 2210)
Technology in Education (EDUC 2220)
Elizabeth (Liz) Hammond
328 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5199
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: ehammon1@cscc.edu
About:
Liz Hammond earned her BS in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2003, and her MA in Psychology from the University of Dayton in 2007. While at Eastern, she discovered a love for the field of psychology, and also had an opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. It was a life changing experience, and because of an awesome educator, her love for the field of psychology was solidified. She started teaching as an adjunct faculty member in 2008 and has loved every minute. She enjoys showing students a concept or idea they have never experienced before and helping them apply the topic to their own life. She also loves "turning light bulbs on" by helping students understand difficult course material.
Her professional interests include pediatric psychopathology and therapy, child and adolescent development, group dynamics, and the influence of culture on development. Outside of teaching, Liz enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games with her son, watching movies (especially comedies), and listening to pop, alternative, and 80's music.
Degrees:
B.S., Eastern Michigan University, Psychology
M.A., University of Dayton, Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Traci Haynes
324 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5052
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: thaynes@cscc.edu
About:
Traci Haynes started teaching at Columbus State back in 1990. She attended both the University of Denver and Ohio University as an undergraduate, majoring in Psychology and Recreation. She earned an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Ohio University, where she also became interested in Health Psychology. She started teaching when she was in graduate school, as one of her rotations for her assistantship, and discovered that she enjoyed it much more than counseling. She enjoys the one-on-one interaction with students and the opportunity to continuously experience psychology through their eyes. There’s always something new to consider and explore in the classroom.
Degrees:
B.A., Ohio University, Psychology
M.S., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Child Development (PSY 2261)
Heather Johnston
313 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2679
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: hjohnst1@cscc.edu
About:
Heather Johnston grew up in South Florida and earned her BA in Communication Process and Disorders from the University of Florida in 1996. She then moved to Columbus and trained to work as an Audiologist, earning an MA in Speech and Hearing Science in 1998 from The Ohio State University. After working as an Audiologist at the VA Hospital in Dayton, she went back to Ohio State to earn her PhD in Cognitive Psychology. Her expertise is with human learning, memory, sensory perception, and language acquisition. In 2021, Heather was one of the winners of the CSCC Distinguished Teaching Award.
Heather began teaching at CSCC in 2005. She enjoys regularly teaching psychology courses, the speech and hearing course, and the first year experience seminar. Outside of the classroom, Heather is one of the lead faculty for the Freshman Experience Seminar (COLS 1100). She is passionate about teaching CSCC students and learning about how to increase their success. In addition to her work at CSCC, Heather is an avid reader of mystery, science fiction, and fantasy, and loves listening to true crime podcasts.
Degrees:
B.A., University of Florida. Communication Processes and Disorders
M.A., The Ohio State University, Speech and Hearing Sciences
Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Cognitive Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Human Growth and Development Over the Life Span (PSY 2340)
Introduction to Communication Disorders (SHS 2230)
First Year Experience Seminar (COLS 1100)
Mary Lewis
314 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5826
Fax: 614-587-2324
Email: mlewis02@cscc.edu
About:
Mary Miller Lewis received her BS in Psychology from Kansas State University, and
her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. She also
earned a Gerontology Graduate Certificate from the University of Akron and is a Board
Certified Geropsychologist. Dr. Mary is a licensed psychologist in Ohio, working as
a psychologist in numerous settings including the VA, skilled rehabilitation centers,
nursing homes, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities with older
adults and younger individuals with chronic health conditions.
Teaching has always been a passion for Dr. Mary. She started teaching in 1993 as a
teaching apprentice at Kansas State University and taught multiple courses while in
graduate school at the University of Akron. Dr. Mary joined CSCC in 2004 as an adjunct
faculty and started full-time in 2012. In 2007, she won the CSCC Distinguished Teaching
Award and in 2019, was selected as the Honors Faculty of the Year. Her professional
and research interests include social responsibility and social justice issues, end-of-life
concerns for individuals with dementia, and emotional and cognitive well-being in
older adults. In her personal life, Dr. Mary loves to run, bake, listen to music,
travel, and spend time with her two children.
Degrees:
B.S., Kansas State University, Psychology
M.A., University of Akron, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., University of Akron, Counseling Psychology
ABPP certification in Geropsychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Derek E. Zeigler
Delaware Campus, DA 126
Phone: 740-203-8223
Fax: 740-203-8141
Email: dzeigler3@cscc.edu
About:
Derek Zeigler earned his B.A. in Psychology from Ohio University in 2010. He remained at Ohio University for graduate school and earned his M.S (2013) and Ph.D. (2016) in Experimental Cognitive Psychology while working in the Structure, Concepts, & Perception Laboratory. He then began as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at West Virginia Wesleyan College where he was the Director of the Experimental Psychology Laboratory. Dr. Zeigler's current research explores the nature of learning — particularly how concept learning processes are influenced by training and expertise. Derek conducts this research mostly in collaboration with the Consortium for the Advancement of Cognitive Science based at Ohio University. Derek hopes that his future research will bridge the gap between laboratory and classroom so that cognitive principles can inform best practices in teaching.
The most rewarding part of Dr. Zeigler's professional activities is the immediate gratification he receives from teaching. Derek sees his role as an advisor and mentor to his students as the most important part of his job. In his spare time, Derek enjoys hiking, biking, and traveling with his wife Annie. Derek is also a huge Cleveland sports fan. Go Guardians, Cavs, and Browns!
Degrees:
B.A., Ohio University, Psychology
M.A., Ohio University, Experimental Cognitive Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio University, Experimental Cognitive Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Child Development (PSY 2261)