Faculty & Staff Directory
Karen Elaine HicksAdjunct Counselor
Counseling & Advising

Counseling & Advising
Office Hours
Mon, Wed : 8:00 am - 8:00 pmTue : 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thu : 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Office Location
1050MY BACKGROUND
- Hometown: Lansing, MI
- High School: Waverly High School, Lansing, MI
- Professional Experience: I have been a counselor in K-12 setting since 1984 when I was a special needs counselor in Cheboygan, MI. I was middle/high school counselor at Holton from 2000-1998 and with Whitehall District Schools from 2000-2014 in both Early Elementary and the high school. I have worked as an adjunct counselor at MCC off and on since 1989!
- Academic Degrees: BS in Biology and Education, Michigan State University, MA in Counseling, K-12, Michigan State University
- Classes Taught: I taught Abnormal Psychology in the Criminal Justice Department.
MORE ABOUT ME
- I have coached cross country and girls track for a number of years. My personal running accomplishment was completing the 5/3rd 25km race in Grand Rapids!
- I have 2 large dogs, 4 cats, a bird and goldfish at my house. Sometimes it looks like a Warner Brothers cartoon with everyone chasing each other!
- My home is a National Wildlife Certified Habitat.
- I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren that are the most important people in my life.
- My favorite quote: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Karin BurrellFaculty
Math & Physical Sciences

Math & Physical Sciences
Office Hours
Mon : TBAOffice Location
1076EMY BACKGROUND
- Hometown: Wyoming, MI
- Professional Experience: I taught mathematics part-time at Grand Rapids Community College for 10 years before coming to Muskegon Community College. I have been teaching here at a full-time faculty member since 2010
- Academic Degrees: B.S. Mathematics, Western Michigan University, M.A. Mathematics, Western Michigan University,
- Classes Taught: I teach algebra, statistics, trigonometry, calculus, and linear algebra.
MORE ABOUT ME
- MCC is a wonderful place to teach. The atmosphere is friendly, the classes are small, and the campus is beautiful.
- I love math and I love getting to know my students. I have the best job!
- I have 4 kids and lots of pets.
- I enjoy riding my Honda Magna motorcycle.
- I love hiking outdoors with my dogs.
Kathleen GnanasekharanAdjunct Faculty
Life Sciences

Kathleen AndrewsAdjunct Faculty
Allied Health
Kathleen Bates, DNP FNP-BC, CNEFaculty
Nursing

Nursing
Office Location
3055EMY BACKGROUND
- Professional Experience: I was a previous adjunct instructor at MCC and began as a full-time instructor in January 2005. I have over 35 years of clinical experience in many areas of nursing practice and concurrently work one day a week as an FNP in the community. I hold a current Michigan Registered Nurse (RN) License and have been certified through the National League for Nursing as a Nurse Educator (CNE) since 2011. I am also certified as an FNP through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Academic Degrees: I obtained my BSN from Grand Valley State University in 1987 and MSN from Michigan State University in 2001. In 2021 I successfully completed my DNP from Indiana Wesleyan University with a research project identifying methods to increase opioid treatment retention rates
- Classes Taught: I have familiarity with teaching all courses in the program and currently teach advanced medical surgical.
MORE ABOUT ME
Faculty Reference
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Kathy PollockFaculty
Life Sciences

Life Sciences
Office Location
1401BMY BACKGROUND
- Hometown: Troy, MI
- Professional Experience: 2006- Muskegon Community College – Full Time Life Science Instructor
2005-2006 Grand Valley State University – Adjunct Biology Professor
1992-2005 Chelsea High School -Science & Math Teacher - Academic Degrees: Bachelor of Science; Oakland Univeristy, Rochester, MI, Master of Science; Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, Master of Educational Technology; Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
- Classes Taught: Introductory Biology I (BIOL 113), General Biology (BIOL 130)
MORE ABOUT ME
- I enjoy interacting with students and figuring out how to take a complex concept and break it down for easier understanding.
- Besides teaching, my other passions are graphic design and photography, taking hikes and playing frisbee catch with my dog.
- I take pride in my children and cheering for them in sports competitions.
- I believe in sustainable living. I try to contribute to local sustainability through growing fresh vegetables and donating them to local food pantries.
- My passion for exploring the great outdoors extends to the underground….I like to go caving.
Kathy LieferFaculty
Applied Technology

Applied Technology
Office Hours
Contact me by email regarding office hour appointments. :Office Location
Sturrus Technology Center 220MY BACKGROUND
- Hometown: Muskegon, MI
- High School: Mona Shores
- Professional Experience: Before beginning my college teaching career I spent twenty years working in industry as a manufacturing engineer for Sealed Power/Dana/Mahle in Muskegon Heights. Over the years, I worked in machine/tool design, project engineering and process development.
- Academic Degrees: Bachelor of Science/Mechanical Engineering (Michigan State University), Master of Science/Engineering Management (Western Michigan University),
- Classes Taught: AMT129 (Introduction to Technology), CAD110 (Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting), CAD210 (Parametric Design I), CAD250 (Introduction to SolidWorks), CAD260 (CAD Capstone) & TMAT101A/102A/201 (Technical Math I, II, III), , II, III)
MORE ABOUT ME
- I love to travel. I like to go anywhere where I can see beautiful country: mountains, rivers, waterfalls, oceans, etc…
- I enjoy most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, pickleball & golf.
- I also like to read & listen to music.
Keegan KnueClinical Coordinator
Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy
Office Location
2090DMY BACKGROUND
- Hometown: Spring Lake, MI
- High School: Spring Lake High School
- Professional Experience: Spent 12 years working at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus as a Registered Respiratory Therapist and ECMO coordinator
- Academic Degrees: Bachelor of Science – Grand Valley State University, Master of Business Administration – Southern New Hampshire University
MORE ABOUT ME
- I have a seven year-old dog, Rocky