OBESLCC.COM | MARCH 9, 2016 culty to cultivate student lives Professor Kathy Himle stands by a wall display of internal computer component hardware in her Computers and Networking classroom at SLCC’s School of Applied Technology. ‘Asa student, Adam Dastrup didn t always know what field he wanted to pursue. He attended SLCC from 1995 through 2000, exploring many different majors, until he finally discovered his passion in geography. He finished up his coursework here and transferred to the University of Uiah before returning to SLCC to teach. “There are definitely more pros than cons working as a professor at SLCC,” says Dastrup. “Every semester brings new students, new experiences and new opportunities to connect with others around you.” School of Applied Technology (SAT) Professor Kathy Himle agrees. “The majority of my students are the salt of the earth,” says Himle. “They are the best of the best.” When her student Gabino Chacon-Escarcega started Himle’s Novell engineering course, he had never even touched a keyboard. With his four young children working on coloring projects in the hallway, he plodded on. “He worked so hard until he mastered it,” said Himle. “Then he’d help others in the class.” Chacon-Escarcega finished the course and now works for SLCC in infrastructure. Touched by his incredible ability to succeed against all odds, Himle considers him to be one of her heroes. Himle has taught other students who have returned to SLCC as faculty. These include adjunct instructors Herb Davis and Brett Wheelock, technician Ron Whiteman, and teaching assistant Nathan Fyffe. Now the five of them work together in the Computer and Networking department. “Tf someone had told me ten years ago that I'd be teaching at a college, I would never have believed them,” says Wheelock. On returning to SLCC, Yerbury suggests to always keep the end goal in mind and getting work experience in your chosen field. “Watch ‘for a job opening ahd go through the hiring process with your whole heart. Go after it like you really want it, and it will show,” says Yerbury.