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New Faces, New Roles at Sheridan College/NWCCD

(Sheridan, Wyo.) When classes start this fall, NWCCD students will be under new academic leadership. Dr. Estella Castillo-Garrison recently began her tenure as Vice President of Academic Affairs for NWCCD, including Sheridan College, Gillette College and Sheridan College in Johnson County.

In Sheridan, there will be two additional changes. Dr. Rachel Bergman, currently the Instructor of Flute and Music Theory and Director of Arts Outreach and Academic Support, will be the new Dean of Visual and Performing Arts. Also, Aaron Odom has been selected as the interim Theater instructor.

Castillo-Garrison brings more than thirteen years of program development and management experience at the community college level to NWCCD. She holds an associate degree in social science; a bachelor’s degree in social psychology; a master’s degree in education with a concentration in instruction; and a doctorate in educational leadership, administration, and policy from Pepperdine University. For her full bio, click here.

“I’m so excited to be at NWCCD.” Castillo-Garrison said in a press release. “The district is a perfect match for my educational philosophy, skills and experience. I look forward to working with all of our talented faculty members to help our students succeed in any way we can,” she said.

Castillo-Garrison has extensive teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She has taught courses in the educational leadership, administration, and policy doctoral program at Pepperdine University, as well as undergraduate courses in psychology and sociology. She also worked with active duty military personnel and their family members on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

Dr. Rachel Bergman’s position as Dean of Visual and Performing Arts was created to unify the Music, Art and Theater departments at Sheridan College and strengthen community partnerships.

“I get to work with incredibly smart and talented colleagues who are so dedicated to our students,” said Bergman in the release. “I’m excited for this opportunity to help grow our Music, Theater and Art programs and work with our community partners.”

Bergman will continue to teach music classes part time and lead the Sheridan College Flute Choir.

Theater students will have Aaron Odom as interim Theater instructor this fall. Returning students will recognize Odom from the Financial Aid office where he worked for five and a half years as the Senior Counselor, or from his role as Club Advisor for the Sheridan College Theater Club and the Sheridan College Improvisation Club.

Odom received his bachelor’s degree in theater from Pepperdine University and completed his master’s degree in theater from Missouri State University in 2015. He is the Managing and Artistic Director of Trident Theater Company.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” he said in the press release. “The theater program has grand potential and lots of partnership opportunities in town that I hope to continue for our students.”

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