Faculty

Faculty Profiles

Technology

I have a passion for teaching and learning and believe I can help others learn. The collaborative environment at University of Phoenix keeps me in touch with others who share my interests in Web technologies.

I want to make a positive impact on a student's learning of the course topics and objectives. I also want to teach broader lessons that apply outside the classroom, so my students will have the tools to be successful in their lives and careers. I try very hard to meet the students' expectations in my courses because I challenge them to meet mine. I believe learning is reciprocal.

Janelle Elias, College of Information Systems and Technology

Janelle Elias earned her Master of Arts in Education at University of Phoenix as an online student. She has been a teacher for 10 years, including one year at University of Phoenix, where she teaches visual communications and web technologies. Elias' career also includes experience in technical writing, e-publishing, Web design and development, instructional design and image editing.

Of the entire worldly possessions you can accumulate during your lifetime, education is one of the few that can never be taken away. It is the hallmark of what has empowered individuals to dream, to achieve, to dare to be different and to learn over a lifetime.

My goal is to teach each class with the same excitement level as if it were my first. I also aim to guide and teach in a way that enables the class to learn and discover for itself. This enables everyone to gain and confidence levels to increase.

Bob Beeman, College of Information Systems and Technology

Bob Beeman spent 21 years in the U.S. Air Force and 25 years with a major communications firm. He has been a faculty member for more than 17 years at University of Phoenix, where he teaches information technology, management and general studies. Additionally, Beeman is involved with faculty hiring and training, peer reviews, student workshops, writing course content and more.

I obtained my undergraduate and graduate degrees while working full time and raising a family. I know the path isn't easy, but good faculty members can make a significant difference. University of Phoenix offers options to students who otherwise might not be able to attend school due to family and work obligations. I want to be part of that. I want students to remember me as making a difference in their educational journeys.

My goal is to bring real-life application of theory into the classroom. I've worked in the corporate world for more than 25 years. The information I can share about real-life situations can help students prepare for a variety of workplace environments.

Raina Knox, MBA, Axia College of University of Phoenix

Raina Knox has focused most of her career in management, process improvement and information technology. While she primarily teaches information technology, Knox also facilitates business, ethics and critical-thinking classes at Axia College of University of Phoenix. Knox, who is currently pursuing a Doctor of Management degree at University of Phoenix, says she is proud to be both a faculty member and student at the University.

As a faculty member, I enjoy mentoring students and sharing some of the knowledge I have gained during my professional career. My ultimate goal is to see students succeed in college. I expect students to learn, but they also need to build a connection between their academic and personal lives to be successful in school.

I constantly find little nuggets of information that I can use to implement better classroom practices. For instance, it is interesting to note that customer service ideas can be retrofitted to our school and successfully applied in a classroom by treating students as the customers of education. In education, it is essential to be open to change and resourceful to others.

Teaching at Axia College of University of Phoenix is very rewarding. The convenience of learning 24/7, especially for people with busy lives, distinguishes the University as a versatile educational institution.

Mina Richards, Ph.D., Axia College of University of Phoenix

Mina Richards, who holds a doctorate in information systems, has held various systems and financial positions for major regional banks. She also has worked for well-known corporations, done consulting for the governmental sector, and published several research papers in various academic outlets. Dr. Richards began teaching in 1998, and joined the faculty of University of Phoenix in 2000. Today, she teaches courses in computer information systems at University of Phoenix and Axia College of University of Phoenix, as well as works as a project manager with the technology division of a large financial institution.