Crawford Honors Faculty Bios

Brian Fruits, Associate Professor of Theatre

Email: bfruits@jjc.edu

Office: K-1002B

Educational Background: MFA in Theatre (Stage Direction), The University of Memphis, and BA in Secondary Education (Speech, Theatre, and English), Concordia University

Teaching & Research Interests: Brian teaches a range of theatre and communication courses, including Theatre Appreciation, Public Speaking, Acting (Levels 1-3), Foundations of Stage Movement, Performance of Literature, and Principles of Stage Direction. His research and creative work focus on stage direction, inclusive storytelling, and the intersection of theatre and social justice. He has a strong passion for physical theatre, mask work, viewpoints and intimacy direction, incorporating movement-based training into his teaching to enhance performers’ physical awareness, safety and expressive capabilities. As a certified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Facilitator, he has developed innovative curriculum and performances that highlight diverse voices.

Honors Program Involvement: Professor Fruits mentors high-achieving students in the honors program, particularly those taking core theatre courses and participating in productions under his direction. He fosters critical thinking, artistic exploration, and leadership development through performance projects, including an inclusive language play and a poetry slam in collaboration with JJC’s DEI department. His mentorship extends beyond the classroom, guiding students in professional networking and career preparation within the theatre industry. He is also happy to lend support to program leaders at meetings and through conversation when the time arises.

Fun Fact: Outside of academia, he is a passionate theatre director with credits including Superior Donuts and Medea at local Illinois colleges and This Dry Spell at Yale University’s Schwarzman Center. He also serves as the athletics faculty representative at JJC and announces basketball and baseball games. He once served as creative director for BB King in Memphis, curating performances and events celebrating the legacy of the blues. A dedicated traveler, he has lived in New York, Chicago, Italy and Tennessee with his wife, April, whom he met in the costume shop.

Al Golden, Professor

Department: Fine Arts

Email: agolden@jjc.edu 

Office: J-2066

Educational Background: MA, Communication, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Teaching & Research Interests: Over the tenure of his career, Professor Golden has taught a variety of courses in the discipline of Communication, including Principles of Communication, Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Persuasion and Social Influence, and Oral Performance of Literature. Professor Golden was also the director of forensics (competitive speech and debate) for Joliet Junior College and has coached students to nationals in every individual event category as well as parliamentary debate. He will return to this position in the 2025-2026 academic year as JJC restarts its forensics team. Professor Golden’s research interests include the influence of media on identity development, rhetorical criticism of forensics competition, Place as Text (field-based learning) pedagogy, and interpersonal communication in LGBTQIA+ relationships. He has presented at regional and national conferences including the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference, The National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference and the National Communication Association Annual Convention.

Honors Program Involvement: Professor Golden has been teaching honors courses at JJC for nearly twenty years and served as the coordinator of the JJC Honors Program, which preceded the Crawford Honors College, for thirteen years. In addition to teaching honors courses, he has also mentored In-Course Honors Projects in Principles of Communication and Interpersonal Communication. Professor Golden was twice elected to serve as president of the Honors Council of the Illinois Region and has mentored research projects that have been accepted for presentation at the HCIR Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium as well as at the highly competitive National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference. In 2018, Professor Golden, along with Professor Cheryl Heeneman, developed a nine-day honors study abroad trip to Costa Rica for JJC honors students enrolled in Environmental Biology, and took students to Costa Rica over spring break in 2019 and 2020. In addition to his work in the Honors Program, he also served as a Phi Theta Kappa advisor for three years and was nominated by JJC students for national recognition as an Outstanding New Advisor all three years, and was awarded the Outstanding Advisor for the Illinois Region in 2015-2016.

Fun Facts: Professor Golden is an avid traveler and has visited Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Costa Rica, Iceland and China, with plans to visit Australia and New Zealand in the next year. A few of his favorite US cities to visit include New York City, San Francisco, LA and Minneapolis. Professor Golden is a fan of several genres of music and both modern and contemporary art, and he often travels both domestically and internationally to see concerts and art exhibitions. He loves spending time in nature and has had a lifelong love affair with animals, which contributed to his choice to become vegan in 2017. In his free time, Professor Golden enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, working in his gardens and hanging out with his dog, Greta.

Jack Haines, Professor of English & Coordinator of the Crawford Honors College

Department: English, Philosophy, and World Languages 

Email: dhaines@jjc.edu or honors@jjc.edu

Office: C-2002

Educational Background: Master's degree from Northern Illinois University

Teaching & Research Interests: I teach advanced academic English to international students and students for whom English is not their first or primary language. I also teach Linguistics.

Honors Program Involvement: I became the Honors Coordinator in the summer of 2023.

Fun Fact: For my undergraduate degree, I majored in French and minored in Latin. I hold a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, and I’m certified to scuba dive down to 30 meters.

Dr. John F. Lyons, Professor of History 

Department: Social and Behavioral Sciences 

Email: jlyons@jjc.edu 

Office: J-4023 

Educational Background: PhD in History, University of Illinois at Chicago 

Teaching & Research Interests: I currently teach classes in British History, US History, and Western Civilization. At the moment, my main area of interest is the history of popular culture. My latest book is Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and the 1960s (2021). 

Honors Program Involvement: I started teaching in the honors program in 2012 and have taught a range of classes in US History, Western Civilization and World History. 

Fun Fact: After taking one of my classes, students will speak with an English accent and be able to discuss the relative merits of the four Beatles. 

Dr. Jaleh Sherbini, Associate Professor of Political Science

Department: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Email: Jaleh.sherbini@jjc.edu

Office: J-4037

Educational Background: Doctoral degree (Ed.D.), Leadership & Policy in Illinois Community Colleges from National Louis University, Chicago

Teaching & Research Interests: Teaching courses in all subfields of political science including American government, comparative politics (western and non-western), international relations, state and local politics and political thought.

Academic Interests (include but not limited to): Interdisciplinary subjects, learning using simulations, debates & field trips, teaching honors courses in political science, mentoring, advising and student engagement.

Research interests: educational leadership and policies in higher education, women in politics, conflict resolution, foreign policy and intercultural studies.

Honors Program Involvement: Member of the CHC committee

Fun Fact: I enjoy overseas travel, writing, soccer and horseback riding.

Nataliya Marchenko Professor of Economics | International Education Coordinator | Study Abroad Advisor 

Department: Business

Email: nmarchen@jjc.edu

Office: T-2048

Educational Background Ph.D. in Economics, Sumy State University, Ukraine

Teaching & Research Interests I primarily teach Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 103) and Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 104) courses. My goal is to help students see the "common sense" behind economic models and to connect theoretical concepts with real-world experiences.

Honors College Involvement: At the Crawford Honors College, I assist students in identifying and preparing for study abroad opportunities that align with their academic, professional, and personal aspirations.

Personal Interests: My hobby is international travel and exploring diverse cultures. I believe open-mindedness and curiosity are essential to meaningful experience — there is always a reason behind every custom, tradition or social norm.

Kimberly Vocu, Associate Professor of Nursing

Department: Nursing

Email: kimberly.vocu@jjc.edu 

Office: U2003K

Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Illinois State University; Master of Science in Nursing, Benedictine University; Registered Professional Nurse, Master Online Teacher Professional Certificate

Teaching & Research Interests: I am a registered nurse with years of experience in high-acuity patient care across step-down and med-surg settings, along with leadership experience as an assistant director of nursing in long-term care. As a passionate nurse educator, I focus on creating interactive, student-centered learning environments, particularly in introductory practicum courses. My teaching and research interests include clinical education, evidence-based practice, and strategies to enhance student engagement and success in nursing education. I am committed to lifelong learning and regularly pursue professional development to stay current with trends in nursing, healthcare and higher education.

Honors Program Involvement: As a co-advisor of the Delta Chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society at Joliet Junior College, I mentor students in developing academic excellence, leadership skills and a strong commitment to community service. I help guide student-led initiatives, promote volunteer opportunities and support involvement in activities. My role focuses on empowering students to take initiative, grow professionally and make a meaningful impact both within and beyond the classroom. Through these efforts, I contribute to Crawford Honors College’s mission of developing well-rounded, socially responsible student leaders across all disciplines.

Fun Facts: I love traveling and immersing myself in new cultures, with favorite destinations ranging from the historical cities of Europe to relaxing tropical beaches. Each trip offers a new adventure and a chance to explore different ways of life.

Jeff Wisdom, Professor of Philosophy

Department: English, Philosophy, and World Languages 

Email: jwisdom@jjc.edu 

Office: C-1066

Educational Background: Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Connecticut

Teaching & Research Interests: I teach philosophy courses at JJC. My research focus is on the nature of morality. Among other things, I want to know how results from contemporary neuroscience and cognitive psychology might inform a philosophical approach to the nature of morality.

Honors Program Involvement: I teach introduction to ethics and introduction to philosophy for Crawford Honors College.

Fun Fact: When I’m not teaching at JJC, philosophizing, or spending time with my family, I’m either training in martial arts (Northern Long Fist Kung Fu, traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu, and Arnis) or tending my garden and my chickens. In the summertime, I enjoy visiting my hometown of San Clemente, California and surfing the local beaches.