The faculty members of University of Phoenix are teachers, as well as dedicated working professionals. They have advanced degrees and substantial experience in the fields they teach. This enables them to bring a powerful combination of theory and practical expertise to the classroom. See below to learn more about our faculty members, their backgrounds, goals and why they enjoy teaching at University of Phoenix.
Growing up, I always knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to teach at the college level. I love what I do and I put all of my passion into teaching and inspiring others to love learning.
I teach history and humanities courses at Axia College. I also serve as Humanities Area Chair, which has made me appreciate my role with Axia College of University of Phoenix even more. I enjoy interacting with my colleagues and with Academic Affairs to make Axia College the best place to receive an education. I look forward to many more years of playing an important role in the growth of Axia College.
Marvin Frohock, MA, Axia College of University of Phoenix
Marvin Frohock has taught history and humanities for several colleges and has been a faculty member at University of Phoenix since 1999. In addition to teaching at Axia College, he has served as a subject matter expert in the development of new Axia College courses. Frohock also serves as the College’s Humanities Area Chair, and as lead faculty for a local University of Phoenix campus.
Read More Arts and Sciences Faculty Profiles
I am delighted that students now have the option to obtain their education around their life and obligations. I am also grateful that I am able to balance my love of teaching with my life and business obligations. It is truly a win-win! Yet, faculty members and students alike need to remember at all times that they are involved with rigorous degree programs.
As a faculty member, my goal is not only to provide a quality education but also to assist students with their confidence and self-esteem. Students have to believe in themselves to be successful. At a recent graduation ceremony, a student sought me out with her family and thanked me. It really crystallized the powerful impact that faculty members can have on real people beyond the virtual classroom!
Courtney Anderson, JD, MBA, Axia College of University of Phoenix
Courtney Anderson has been a University of Phoenix faculty member since 2005. She teaches subjects including business, management, criminal justice and cultural ethnicity. Anderson, who has nine years of experience as an attorney, currently owns her own law office and consulting and corporate training firm. Additionally, she serves as an on-air legal and business expert for several news organizations and has appeared in major publications as an expert and analyst.
Read More Business and Management Faculty Profiles
As a faculty member, my goal is to educate students so they can be their best. I want to help them achieve their career goals. What particularly motivates me is when students email or thank me personally for going the extra mile to help them. I am honored when students ask me to write a letter on their behalf for acceptance into law school or a doctoral program. I am pleased that I can provide students with a positive experience and I’m proud to be part of University of Phoenix’s excellent reputation.
Patrick Cote, College of Health and Human Services
Patrick Cote has 30 years of law enforcement experience and is author of "Police Chief Managing Success." Currently a private investigator, he has taught at University of Phoenix for four years.
Read More Criminal Justice and Security Faculty Profiles
My goal is to inspire and touch the lives of my students and help them become master teachers. I want to instill a passion for teaching by being a vibrant role model who is child centered, caring and nurturing. I believe University of Phoenix students deserve the very richest learning experience possible. I set high expectations for myself and my students. I give them my best and hold them accountable for learning. My philosophy is to always remember that my students may be teaching my granddaughter one day and I want each and every one of them to be the best and most effective teacher they can be.
As a faculty member, it is especially rewarding to observe my students while they're student teaching and see them put the knowledge and skills they gained into practice. Attending graduation is also very rewarding. Watching students walk across the stage, seeing how proud their parents and friends are, being invited to graduation parties, hearing from them when they get that job they dreamed of, and having them call with questions about teaching after they've been teaching awhile - these are the things that inspire me to continue teaching.
Myrtle Combrink, College of Education
Myrtle Combrink has seen University of Phoenix grow "from offering a few education classes during the weekends to what it is today with master's and doctoral programs." She retired after 30 years in the field of education and has been teaching at University of Phoenix since 1984. Combrink's background includes serving as teacher, director of federal programs, principal, administrator of educational services, and superintendent.
Read More Education Faculty Profiles
Two years after I graduated from University of Phoenix with my master's in counseling, I had the opportunity to join the University's faculty. I was already a credentialed teacher and was looking for a way to teach adults and help them along the same track I had been on. My goal as a faculty member is to be part of a program which prepares students to join me in the professional world with good communication skills, enthusiasm and a deep-seated desire to fulfill their personal goals. I communicate real-world experiences to my students so they come to the profession with their eyes open and maintain their commitment to the world of human services. My instruction is aimed at inspiring their professional confidence.
Hearing about students' successes after graduation is especially gratifying. I love graduation, for the pure joy of accomplishment and pride. But it's what I see students do afterward that makes me glad I was part of the process that enabled them to reach their goals.
Catherine Butler, MFT, College of Health and Human Services
Catherine Butler's career includes experience as a middle school teacher, school counselor, as well as work as a marriage and family therapist in a private practice. She has been teaching for 15 years, including four years at University of Phoenix, where she facilitates courses in counseling and human services.
Read More Human Services Faculty Profiles
Each position I've held during my career has built upon my previous position, culminating in broad expertise in community and public health. My goal as a faculty member at University of Phoenix is to integrate my wide variety of professional experiences into my facilitation of courses. This has proven to be very valuable in teaching community health nursing, health policy, health care infrastructure and other courses. My experiences can help demonstrate to students how theory is applied to practice.
Recently, one of my students requested a letter of recommendation after she graduated and was pursuing additional education opportunities. She is bilingual with English as a second language. She told me I had helped her so much with her writing skills that she gained confidence in her command of the language. Student successes such as this make me appreciate the opportunity to teach at University of Phoenix even more.
Judith Candelaria, MSN, RN, College of Health and Human Services
Judith Candelaria has been teaching nursing and health sciences courses at University of Phoenix since 1992. She also has served as an area chair for the University. Candelaria has broad expertise in community and public health. Her professional experience includes staff and management positions at a home care agency, city-county health department, community health center, program providing health care for the homeless, and a state health department.
Read More Nursing and Health Care Faculty Profiles
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 has been teaching for more than 10 years and has instructed visual communications and web technology courses for the University of Phoenix since 2006. She earned her Master of Arts in Education at University of Phoenix as an online student and currently works in academic administration in instructional design, web design and technical writing.
Read More Technology Faculty Profiles