Faculty
The College employs more than 830 expert faculty members who are eager to share their knowledge with our students. Each member of our faculty holds a master’s degree or higher, and 12 have recently received Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching. All of our faculty members are committed to giving students the education they deserve, and their dedication shows. To learn more about our individual faculty members, Meet Our Faculty.
Raymond Maruca, BA, MA,
Professor, mathematics
Ray Maruca, professor of mathematics in the College’s division of Mathematics, Science and Engineering, has just finished his 37th year of teaching.
“I have taught at several other colleges and universities, as have many of the other faculty here, so students are getting top-notch teachers for a fraction of the price,” he said. It is the students, though, especially the diversity of the student body, that have long impressed Maruca.
Even here in suburban Philadelphia, we have so many students from so many cultures. It is rare that I don’t have students from five different countries.”
He believes that it may be easier in mathematics to accommodate those different cultures. After all, he says, mathematics has a language of its own.
“It really is the universal language, with symbols that people everywhere use,” said Maruca. “Before a Russian or an African student can learn enough English to take a writing course, he or she can be in my math class, and that makes it fascinating for everyone.
“It’s one of the things that make Delaware County Community College such a rich place, a place everyone can consider coming to,” said Maruca.
Susan Woron, BA, MA, EdD
Assistant professor, education
Susan Woron knew she wanted to be a teacher, so she got an early start – a real early one.
"I was in a teacher education program from my senior year in high school through Holy Family College. I was paid a lowly salary – $30 a week – but I was allowed to go to college for free," she said. "So I was teaching 4th grade at age 19."
In a long career, Woron has wound her way through many types of classrooms, special programs and administration, so when she talks to her students in the education program, they know she knows what she’s talking about.
"I stress things I know they are going to need when they graduate and become teachers," said Woron, who has her doctorate from Widener University. "I take a great deal of joy in helping someone achieve his or her dreams."
Woron had been an elementary school principal for 25 years in Kennett Square. In between that job and her first teaching job, she taught in New Jersey, then supervised a reading specialty program before getting her principal's credentials.
I took early retirement from the principal's job but knew I still wanted to do more in education. College teaching seemed a natural to share what I had learned in my career."
She said she especially loves teaching the students at Delaware County Community College.
"It is the best job I have ever had," she said. "I totally and completely enjoy the students. Number one, they are funny, and number two, they work really hard. It is great to be able to work with teachers coming into the field. They are always excited."
“I have always loved what I have done. I tell students, including my own children, to pick a career they want to do every day and they will never be sorry," she said. "Teaching is wonderful for that. I love the pleasure of not knowing what will happen every day. I love change and challenge, and teaching is always that."
Pam R. Santarlasci, PhD, CRNP
Assistant professor, evening and weekend nursing program
In their former lives, many of Pam Santarlasci’s students were truck drivers, hairdressers or engineers. After two years in the highly acclaimed Delaware County Community College nursing program, those studying with Santarlasci earn an associate in applied science degree in nursing and become well-trained professionals in a new field.
Santarlasci meets part-time nursing students in their initial semester through the introductory courses, Fundamentals of Nursing and Nursing Concepts and Practice. She follows the students through their second year with Pharmacology for Health Care 3 and clinical rotations.
I love the chance to take them from the first day they walk in to the point at which they are nurses. It is great to see them function independently by the end.”
Santarlasci has great respect for her students, many of whom are employed full time and are also carrying a full course load. Their practical knowledge lends an interesting flair to discussions.
“They are a little different from the day students, because they have a limited amount of time to devote to their studies and are very focused on what needs to be done,” she said. “Their experiences create a unique classroom experience.”
Students complete their clinical rotations in most major health care systems in Chester and Delaware Counties. The distinct hospital settings and varying patient populations expose them to situations they will soon encounter.
“In many cases, decisions in their former occupations were black and white,” said Santarlasci. “In nursing, there is a very definite shade of gray.”
Phyllis Anderson, BBE, MBE
Professor, business
When Phyllis Anderson came to Delaware County Community College in 1987, she taught office administration.
It attracted women trying to get into the job market."
“With new technologies, though, that faded away,” said Anderson, who now teaches business communications, a more sophisticated course suited not just for potential secretaries and administrative assistants, but for everyone going into the business world.
Students learn how to write business letters and reports as well as speaking skills and general writing skills, said Anderson. They also learn how to use PowerPoint software and the other computer programs that shape today’s business communications.
“Each class has its own dynamic,” said Anderson. “I find if I relate it to employment, people pay attention. People of all ages and from many countries come to the College to gain skills to get jobs, so that is what most often works.
As the global economy becomes more the reality, it is imperative to relate to people from all cultures. In class now, we can discuss what is good to know about business in certain countries and in certain languages. It brings a whole new dimension to learning here.”
Jim Raschka, BA, MBE
Assistant professor, drafting and CAD
Jim Raschka knows what he teaches his students today will be obsolete by the time they graduate. He is also wise enough to know that life must be an ongoing learning process.
Raschka has taught introductory and intermediate courses in computer aided design (CAD) at the College for the past 15 years. He combines first-hand knowledge as a former CAD business owner with an academic background in aeronautical engineering, business economics and educational technology, preparing his students with the skills and information they need for 21st century jobs.
CAD uses technology to conceptualize and create parts, products and buildings. Completed in two and three dimensions, CAD is used to draft and design everything from tools and machinery for manufacturing to entire buildings.
While developing their CAD skills, students explore many careers, including architecture, construction, electricity/electronics, mechanics, robotics and solar power. They can earn either an associate degree or certificate of competency in the program. The certificate program offers computer training for individuals who have previous experience as manual "board" drafters and a working knowledge of technical drawings.
The majority of CAD students are of non-traditional age and are balancing job and studies while retraining or seeking the skills needed to open their own construction businesses. The rest are recent high school graduates. Students have the opportunity to work in the field during the final semester co-op of the degree program. More than 70 percent of students are offered full-time jobs after graduation.
Our class size and one-on-one, hands-on atmosphere allow students to begin with remedial courses and end with an associate degree. That builds character, which builds good citizens and good workers.”
Raschka touts the advantages of a community college education. The affordability and accessibility provide educational opportunities for all, while the flexibility of programs, especially in tech ed, offers the chance to adapt to the needs of area industries.
Jill Spelina Kirschman, BS, MS, ME
Assistant professor, mathematics
“I believe everyone should have the opportunity to further their education and the College provides that opportunity. Students here receive a solid education from faculty who truly care about teaching," said Jill.
My goal as a professor is to show students that mathematics applies to their everyday lives as well as their chosen careers. I would be pleased if every student leaves my class liking math just a little more than when they started.”