Seven new full-time faculty members and a new dean of business and technologies have begun employment at New River Community College.
Debbie Bond, of Dublin, has been appointed dean of business and technologies. She accepted the position after serving as interim dean of business and technologies. Bond began at New River in 1978 as a clerk-stenographer in the counseling department and then became a lab assistant for the business division. In 1987, she became a full-time faculty member in administrative support technology. Bond earned her master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Radford University and an associate degree from New River Community College. She will be finishing her community college leadership certificate from Old Dominion University in December.
Jean Cintron recently moved to the New River Valley to join NRCC as an assistant professor of nursing. Before the move, she was a clinical program developer in the education department at the University of Cincinnati Health/West Chester Hospital. Cintron has been a registered nurse since 1982, having received her BSN from York College of Pennsylvania and her MSN from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Carolyn Cochran, of the Pilot-Riner area, comes to NRCC as a professor of nursing. She previously worked as a nurse education consultant for Carilion Clinic in education and organizational development. Cochran has a BSN from Radford University and a MSN from Old Dominion University.
Christopher Murphy, of Blacksburg, is an instructor of mathematics at NRCC. He joins the college full-time after previously teaching at Blacksburg High School and as an adjunct instructor at New River. Murphy received his bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and his master’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany.
William Noble, of Blacksburg, has been hired as an assistant professor of engineering. He previously served as an adjunct instructor for math and engineering at NRCC and as a math teacher at Blacksburg High School. Noble has a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Naval Postgraduate School.
Dommetae Sohrabi, of Giles County, joins NRCC as an assistant professor of nursing. She has nursing experience in the emergency department, medical surgical units, home health, long-term care and physician offices, and psychiatric nursing. Sohrabi received her certified nurse aide and licensed practical nurse certificates and her associate degree in nursing from New River Community College. She received her BSN from Jefferson College of Health Sciences and her MSN from Walden University.
Sharon Edwards, of Radford, comes to NRCC as a health information management and administrative support technology instructor. She has previously worked as the homeless and housing programs coordinator for New River Community Action, as an adjunct instructor at New River and for Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. Edwards is a first generation college student and received her associate degree from New River Community College, bachelor’s degree from Jefferson College of Health Sciences and she is working on her master’s degree from Liberty University.
Robert Bopp, of Pulaski, joins NRCC as an instructor of electrical engineering technology. He previously worked as an electrical engineer, and he has a professional engineering license in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina, and is a licensed master electrician and Class A Electrical Contractor. Bopp received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Military Institute.
New River Community College has several other new staff and administrative employees. The new staff members include Ashlyn Spence and Jay Rimmer in the library; Mike Keitz and Eric Pannell in information technology; Brandon Reece in facilities; Rachael Bessler and Maranda Fisher in the business office; Tiffany Smith in human resources; Ross Matney, Serena Ming, Stacy Walls, Michele Keesling and Jennifer Rogers in workforce development; Kathleen Tolley in the math lab; Emily Armstrong and Danielle Basham at the college’s NRV Mall site; Dr. Don Stowers in veterans services; Denise Williams and Sarah Patterson in financial aid; and Rhonda Turpin, Emilie Thompson, Jamie Raines, Lonnie Taylor, Kathaleen Shelor, Amy Tickle and Kristy Fuhrer in transitional programs.
