Our Faculty
Vanessa Buldo
After finding a passion in the area of Communication, I decided to dedicate my studies to this field. I received my Master's Degree in Communication Studies from Fresno State and began teaching at Reedley College in 2008. During this time I also completed my online certification to provide another way to engage with students. I enjoy teaching all Communication classes, especially Public Speaking, Interpersonal, and Argumentation. I have been married to my husband since 2007 and we have two amazing sons together. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, eating good food, sharing a great laugh, and being with close family and friends. I believe communication is in all we do and if we use it effectively it can lead us to more success and happiness. As Anthony Robbins stated "the way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives."
After finding a passion in the area of Communication, I decided to dedicate my studies to this field. I received my Master's Degree in Communication Studies from Fresno State and began teaching at Reedley College in 2008. During this time I also completed my online certification to provide another way to engage with students. I enjoy teaching all Communication classes, especially Public Speaking, Interpersonal, and Argumentation. I have been married to my husband since 2007 and we have two amazing sons together. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, eating good food, sharing a great laugh, and being with close family and friends. I believe communication is in all we do and if we use it effectively it can lead us to more success and happiness. As Anthony Robbins stated "the way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives."
Linda Carvalho Cooley
I earned my Masters from California State University, Fresno and began teaching full time for Reedley College in Fall 2007. I love argumentation and have brought the love of debate to this campus. Argumentation is by far my favorite class to teach but I also love Public Speaking. I ran the Peach Blossom Festival at Fresno State for five years. I am currently a Board of Trustee for the Pioneer Elementary School District in Hanford. I have been married to a wonderful man for 11 years. He makes me laugh every day. I have four children (who aren't children anymore) and three step children (also grown up). My husband and I love spending time at Fresno State & Reedley College football games and Roger Rockas. I personally love the beach and will go at any time just to spend the day. Although I was born in the United States I spent a great deal of my youth in the Azores. The little island where I grew up still holds my heart.
I earned my Masters from California State University, Fresno and began teaching full time for Reedley College in Fall 2007. I love argumentation and have brought the love of debate to this campus. Argumentation is by far my favorite class to teach but I also love Public Speaking. I ran the Peach Blossom Festival at Fresno State for five years. I am currently a Board of Trustee for the Pioneer Elementary School District in Hanford. I have been married to a wonderful man for 11 years. He makes me laugh every day. I have four children (who aren't children anymore) and three step children (also grown up). My husband and I love spending time at Fresno State & Reedley College football games and Roger Rockas. I personally love the beach and will go at any time just to spend the day. Although I was born in the United States I spent a great deal of my youth in the Azores. The little island where I grew up still holds my heart.
Nicole Cooper
I earned my Masters degree from California State University, Fresno in the field of communication. I began teaching at Reedley College in the Fall of 2010. My favorite courses to teach are interpersonal communication and public speaking. In 2012 I took on the position of journalism instructor, since I have a Bachelors degree in mass communication and journalism. My teaching time is split between the two fields. I love the hands-on experience and interaction with the students in the creation of our school newspaper, The Tiger Print. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and going to the beach. I have been married to my husband for four years, and we are expecting our first child this April 2014.
I earned my Masters degree from California State University, Fresno in the field of communication. I began teaching at Reedley College in the Fall of 2010. My favorite courses to teach are interpersonal communication and public speaking. In 2012 I took on the position of journalism instructor, since I have a Bachelors degree in mass communication and journalism. My teaching time is split between the two fields. I love the hands-on experience and interaction with the students in the creation of our school newspaper, The Tiger Print. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and going to the beach. I have been married to my husband for four years, and we are expecting our first child this April 2014.
Helen Chavez
I hold a MA degree in Speech Communication from Fresno State University, and I began teaching part-time a few years after receiving my degree. Prior to teaching at the community college level, I worked as a substitute teacher. I have instructed students as young as three years of age to as old as…you get the idea. Suffice it to say, I have worked with a diversity of people: young/old, rich/poor, light skinned/dark skinned, one religion/no religion. It is this very diversity that makes teaching both a challenge and a joy for me. I tell my students that I think I learn more from them than they do from me. As for my personal life, I am not married and I do not have children although I do refer to my students as my kids. I once told this to a student who was expecting her second grandchild, and she smiled at me.
I hold a MA degree in Speech Communication from Fresno State University, and I began teaching part-time a few years after receiving my degree. Prior to teaching at the community college level, I worked as a substitute teacher. I have instructed students as young as three years of age to as old as…you get the idea. Suffice it to say, I have worked with a diversity of people: young/old, rich/poor, light skinned/dark skinned, one religion/no religion. It is this very diversity that makes teaching both a challenge and a joy for me. I tell my students that I think I learn more from them than they do from me. As for my personal life, I am not married and I do not have children although I do refer to my students as my kids. I once told this to a student who was expecting her second grandchild, and she smiled at me.
Jenny Graber-Peters
I am a Reedley transplant, originally from So Cal. I earned my Masters in Speech Communication in May of 1996 from California State University Long Beach. While in Graduate school at CSULB, I taught classes at Golden West College, CSULB, and Long Beach City College. I began teaching at Reedley College soon after graduation in August of 1996. At the time I was living in Bass Lake and commuting to Reedley every day. But the commute was nothing after having lived in the OC! I love teaching Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication because what students learn in these classes they can apply to their everyday lives. I also enjoy Oral Interpretation and Group Communication, but my true passion is for Public Speaking. In addition to teaching, I am also the Editor of Traffic Magazine, a local publication dedicated to showcasing local businesses and sharing the stories of those who live in the surrounding communities. I have been married to my husband Matt for 15 years and thank God for bringing us together. We have been blessed with three children (ages 14, 12, and 9) who we are incredibly proud of. When I am not shuttling my children to swim, water polo, soccer or baseball, I enjoy baking, sewing and reading. I am so grateful to God for all He has given me and look forward to His plans for my family and I in the future.
I am a Reedley transplant, originally from So Cal. I earned my Masters in Speech Communication in May of 1996 from California State University Long Beach. While in Graduate school at CSULB, I taught classes at Golden West College, CSULB, and Long Beach City College. I began teaching at Reedley College soon after graduation in August of 1996. At the time I was living in Bass Lake and commuting to Reedley every day. But the commute was nothing after having lived in the OC! I love teaching Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication because what students learn in these classes they can apply to their everyday lives. I also enjoy Oral Interpretation and Group Communication, but my true passion is for Public Speaking. In addition to teaching, I am also the Editor of Traffic Magazine, a local publication dedicated to showcasing local businesses and sharing the stories of those who live in the surrounding communities. I have been married to my husband Matt for 15 years and thank God for bringing us together. We have been blessed with three children (ages 14, 12, and 9) who we are incredibly proud of. When I am not shuttling my children to swim, water polo, soccer or baseball, I enjoy baking, sewing and reading. I am so grateful to God for all He has given me and look forward to His plans for my family and I in the future.
Tracy Stuntz Beavers
I received my MA in Communication from Fresno State in 2010, and began teaching at Reedley College that fall. I had previously taught at Fresno City College, San Joaquin Valley College, and at Fresno State. My favorite class to teach is Argumentation. I love when students can push themselves to create better and better arguments. My second passion is utilizing and helping others to utilize online tools to make our teaching, and student learning more effective. When I'm not being a total nerd with those two things, I love to be at home cooking, crafting, or tending to my garden.
I received my MA in Communication from Fresno State in 2010, and began teaching at Reedley College that fall. I had previously taught at Fresno City College, San Joaquin Valley College, and at Fresno State. My favorite class to teach is Argumentation. I love when students can push themselves to create better and better arguments. My second passion is utilizing and helping others to utilize online tools to make our teaching, and student learning more effective. When I'm not being a total nerd with those two things, I love to be at home cooking, crafting, or tending to my garden.
Stephanie Briones
I received my MA from California State University, Fresno and began teaching at Reedley in 2012. My emphasis is in Intercultural communication with a focus on cultural identity formation. I enjoy teaching Interpersonal and Public Speaking classes because I love hearing student’s perspectives and to build self-esteem and confidence. I intend to work with international students to bring more international and diversity events to Reedley college. In my spare time I enjoy: spending time with friends and family, attending Broadway/Theatre productions (Wicked is my favorite), golfing, reading (good book suggestions are appreciated!), and brushing up on my American Sign Language and Spanish. Also, I am always in search of the best taco truck in town! I love my life by the wisdom of my mother and grandmother which is “kindness is something that anyone can do and everyone can appreciate”
I received my MA from California State University, Fresno and began teaching at Reedley in 2012. My emphasis is in Intercultural communication with a focus on cultural identity formation. I enjoy teaching Interpersonal and Public Speaking classes because I love hearing student’s perspectives and to build self-esteem and confidence. I intend to work with international students to bring more international and diversity events to Reedley college. In my spare time I enjoy: spending time with friends and family, attending Broadway/Theatre productions (Wicked is my favorite), golfing, reading (good book suggestions are appreciated!), and brushing up on my American Sign Language and Spanish. Also, I am always in search of the best taco truck in town! I love my life by the wisdom of my mother and grandmother which is “kindness is something that anyone can do and everyone can appreciate”
Marcie Lierly
I earned my MA degree in Communication from CSU, Fresno in 2012. Although my formal teaching career is fairly new I was (am) a professional wife and mother to my three boys (20, 18, and 16) before I made the leap to teach others. I love teaching and am drawn towards the interpersonal aspect of communication because our connection to others influence how we view the world and I find that fascinating. My most favorite connection is my husband of over 20 years. In addition, I relish a good book, a good laugh, and reality T.V.
I earned my MA degree in Communication from CSU, Fresno in 2012. Although my formal teaching career is fairly new I was (am) a professional wife and mother to my three boys (20, 18, and 16) before I made the leap to teach others. I love teaching and am drawn towards the interpersonal aspect of communication because our connection to others influence how we view the world and I find that fascinating. My most favorite connection is my husband of over 20 years. In addition, I relish a good book, a good laugh, and reality T.V.
Maricela Sanchez
Gabriela Hernandez