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Arts and Sciences Division

WEBSA Department

Students in the outdoor classroom at Aims Community College

The Aims WEBSA Department Helps You Build Critical Thinking and Inclusivity Skills

WEBSA encompasses six academic subject areas:

  1. Women and Gender Studies
  2. Ethnic Studies
  3. Behavioral Science (Psychology)
  4. Sociology
  5. Advancing Academic Achievement
  6. Public Health

Aims offers Women and Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies courses to students interested in enriching their knowledge of gender, gender identities and gender roles and how various ethnic groups form vital threads in the fabric of our past and present society. Psychology and Sociology courses delve into human behavior and interrelations, Advancing Academic Achievement courses are designed to support students in academic success, and the new Public Health associate degree merges psychology, natural sciences and communications to analyze and address community health and wellness.

You can learn more about each of these academic areas below. 

Women and Gender Studies

Women and gender studies is interdisciplinary and uses intersectional feminism as a philosophical lens through which to study social, political, economic and environmental concerns. Gender has an impact on nearly every aspect of life and plays a role in most of today’s crucial discussions. Gender studies courses encourage you to examine the complex constructions of gender throughout history in different cultural arenas and in varying global processes so you can contribute to the conversation. Feminism is for everyone and all students are invited to take a gender studies course! 

Learn More About Women and Gender Studies Courses at Aims

Aims currently offers two Women and Gender Studies courses:

  1. WST 2000, Introduction to Women’s Studies
  2. WST 2100, Women and Social Action

Career Opportunities Related to Women and Gender Studies

Employers today are looking for people with a strong understanding of diversity and equity. Although WST courses are a great choice to complete an AA or AS degree, students who want more coursework may also choose to transfer from Aims into a major or minor in gender studies at the university. The following fields of work have a connection to and appreciation for workers who value diversity and inclusion:

  • Government
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Law
  • Social services
  • Art
  • Communications and media
  • Psychology and counseling
  • Marketing
  • Non-profit and social justice organizations

Ethnic Studies

Ethnic studies courses explore how the foundation of the United States is truly "E Pluribus Unum": Out of Many, One. Students learn how marginalized peoples of African, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinx, and Native American descent are interconnected with American history. Classes also discuss current events, their connections to our shared past, and how this crucial knowledge is necessary for social change. 

Learn More About Ethnic Studies Courses at Aims

Career Opportunities Related to Ethnic Studies

If you're interested in pursuing a degree program or career in the social sciences, you can benefit from taking ethnic studies classes. Critical thinking, diversity awareness and public policy knowledge are foundations in ethnic studies which prepare you for career opportunities such as:

  • Social Worker
  • Community Organizer
  • Educator
  • Data Scientist
  • Public Policy Maker
  • City or Regional Planner
  • Government Official
  • Journalist
  • Public Health Advocate

Aims Ethnic Studies Faculty

Aims Ethnic Studies faculty are dedicated to helping you become informed citizens through learning about diverse peoples in their community, region and nation. You'll gain a deeper understanding of society's complexities through reflective and creative projects. The social awareness, research and analytical skills you gain are competitive job assets.

Eden Welker

Eden Welker

Adjunct Faculty, Anthropology and Ethnic Studies
Tammy Molinar-Leblanc headshot

Tammy Molinar-LeBlanc

Part-Time: Faculty, Ethnic Studies

Behavioral Science (Psychology)

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and thinking. The mission of the Psychology Department at Aims is to engage you in meaningful participation with the educational process and in the discovery of psychological knowledge. The Psychology Department values students, faculty members, staff and administration from the diverse communities in which we exist.

In addition to teaching you about specific areas of psychology such as social psychology or behaviorism, psychology teaches you how to think, and it can improve your communication skills in any work environment. At Aims, you can take psychology classes to meet general education requirements toward a degree or as electives to explore this fascinating and ever-changing discipline. You can also earn an associate degree in psychology at Aims.

Learn More About Psychology Classes at Aims

psychology students in the classroom

Earn a Psychology Associate Degree at Aims

Thanks to a statewide agreement between Colorado community colleges and universities, you can earn a psychology associate degree at Aims and go on to transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs.

Learn more about the Aims psychology liberal arts transfer degree

Aims Psychology Faculty

The psychology faculty at Aims work to consistently evaluate and update classes to promote healthy relationships, environments and psychological functioning. Your instructors will help you sharpen critical thinking skills and deepen your appreciation for diversity and global learning. To create a culture that supports scientific inquiry and the exploration of human behavior and thinking, Psychology Department faculty actively support and strive to model the application of psychological knowledge toward the management of real-world environments and challenges.

PICTURE OF BRENNAN ARTRIP

Brennan Artrip

Part-Time: Instructor, Concurrent Enrollment
Aims Community College behavioral sciences staff member Kim Bontempo

Kim Bontempo

Part-Time: Academic Coach, Arty's Power Hour
Headshot of Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
Amanda Dunn headshot

Amanda Dunn

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
headshot of Elizabeth Durrance

Elizabeth Durrance

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
Dr. Selani Flores, professor of psychology at Aims

Selani Flores

Professor, Psychology
Aims Community College behavioral science faculty member Christine Guttner

Christine Guttner

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
Headshot of Richard hanks

Richard Hanks

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
Aims Community College behavioral science instructor Juanita Hernandez

Juanita Hernandez

Professor, Psychology
Anna Chris Johnson headshot

Anna Johnson

Faculty, Advanced Academic Achievement

Ann Kingsley

Part-Time: Instructor, Concurrent Enrollment
Aims Community College behavioral science instructor Pam Lundeberg

Pam Lundeberg

Assistant Professor, Psychology
Aims behavioral science instructor Mark Luoma

Mark Luoma

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology

Angie McMillen

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
Headshot of Denise Pearson

Denise Pearson

Professor, Advancing Academic Achievement

Mackenzie Peake Pohja

Part-Time: Faculty, Psychology
Photo of Allan Obert

Allan Obert

Part-Time: Substitute, Psychology
Franci Rottini headshot

Francie Rottini

Professor, Psychology
Aims psychology instructor Arthur Jeremy Rottini headshot

Jeremy Rottini

Instructor, Psychology and World Religions
Rebecca Sailor headshot

Rebecca Sailor

Department Chair - Humanities, Philosophy & World Languages
Professor, Humanities
Portrait of Karen Scarpella

Karen Scarpella

Adjunct Instructor: Psychology, Sociology and Women & Gender Studies
Portrait of Douglas Strauss

Douglas Strauss

Director, Learning Commons
ShawnaLee Washam headshot

ShawnaLee Washam

Department Chair, WEBSA
Professor, Psychology

Sociology

Sociology is the study of human social life and the interdependent social institutions (culture, the economy, religion and education) that influence people. It is guided by the understanding that our lives are affected by our “social location” (class position, race/ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation), as well as individual experiences in the world.

The study of sociology is vast, from the research of family unit relationships to the disconnect that gender, class, race and ethnicity may cause to the exploration of remote cultures. Specialties within sociology include criminal justice, cultural sociology, family studies, race/ethnic relations, education and popular culture.  

sociology students in classroom

Earn a Sociology Associate Degree at Aims

Thanks to a statewide agreement between Colorado community colleges and universities, you can earn a sociology associate degree at Aims and go on to transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs.

Learn more about the Aims sociology liberal arts transfer degree

Sociology Faculty

Aims sociology faculty have real-world experience in various disciplines within the field. Your instructors are dedicated to your success, and with smaller class sizes compared to larger universities, you'll have more opportunities for one-on-one attention from and interaction with faculty. 

HEadshot of Cathy Beighey

Cathy Beighey

Professor, Sociology
PICTURE OF DARLENE HAFF

Darlene Haff

Part-Time: Substitute, Sociology
Margaret Lambeth

Margaret Lambeth

Adjunct Faculty Sociology
Coaching, Mentoring, Trainings, Behavioral Sciences
Elizabeth Osborn headshot

Elizabeth Osborn

Part-time Instructor, Advancing Academic Achievement, Sociology and Women & Gender Studies
Headshot, Jami Ryba

Jami Ryba

Part-Time: Faculty, Sociology
Portrait of Karen Scarpella

Karen Scarpella

Adjunct Instructor: Psychology, Sociology and Women & Gender Studies
Mark Shuey

Mark Shuey

Part-Time: Faculty, Sociology

Advancing Academic Achievement

Learn About the College Experience With Advancing Academic Achievement at Aims

Are you new to the world of college? Advancing Academic Achievement courses at Aims help new students gain helpful information to navigate the college experience. 

Advancing Academic Achievement classes are especially helpful for students who are:

  • Incoming freshmen
  • First-generation college students
  • Students who are either new or returning to college after spending time in the workforce

In these courses, you'll also explore and gain understanding of your academic strengths and areas where you might need support, including communication and thinking styles. 

Gain College Readiness Skills in Advancing Academic Achievement Courses

Examples of skills you can learn and improve upon to enhance your college experience include:

  • Setting personal, educational and career goals
  • Time management
  • Note-taking and reading strategies
  • Awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Effective listening techniques
  • Critical and creative thinking for student success.

Learn More About Advancing Academic Achievement Classes at Aims

Advancing Academic Achievement Faculty

Headshot of Janet Chase

Janet Chase

Director
Student Life

Dion Duran

Adjunct Instructor, Advancing Academic Achievement and Saxophone
Robert Garcia

Robert Garcia

Part-Time Faculty, Advancing Academic Achievement
Cathy Glaser

Cathy Glaser

Part-Time Faculty, Advancing Academic Achievement
Anna Chris Johnson headshot

Anna Johnson

Faculty, Advanced Academic Achievement
PICTURE OF TAMMI OLSON

Tammi Olson

Part-Time Facilitator, Aims 1001
Elizabeth Osborn headshot

Elizabeth Osborn

Part-time Instructor, Advancing Academic Achievement, Sociology and Women & Gender Studies
Headshot of Denise Pearson

Denise Pearson

Professor, Advancing Academic Achievement
Aims Advancing Academic Achievement instructor Leah Schaer

Leah Schaer

Part-Time Faculty, Advancing Academic Achievement

Public Health

The public health field encompasses a wide variety of subjects, including anthropology, sociology, psychology, environmental science, biology and communications. The public health field centers around assessing and addressing the health needs of communities or specific community groups. Public health professionals can work on issues ranging from climate change, disease outbreak response and mitigation, environmental science, vaccination, gun violence, equitable access to healthcare, and more. 

Public health is a rapidly growing field with multiple potential career paths. Whether you want to work in public health communications, training, data gathering and analysis, and more, you can find a rewarding career applying training in psychology and related disciplines.

Students collaborating in a classroom while using a computer on the Aims Greeley campus

Earn a Public Health Associate Degree at Aims

Thanks to a statewide agreement between Colorado community colleges and universities, you can earn a public health associate degree at Aims and go on to transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs.

Learn more about the public health associate degree at Aims

Learn More About Public Health Classes at Aims

Aims Public Health Faculty

The public health faculty at Aims work to integrate your learning experience across multiple disciplines available for this degree program, including psychology, sociology, biology and environmental science. Your instructors will help you sharpen critical thinking skills and apply the scientific method in complex scenarios and communicate effectively to diverse audiences.

Headshot of Aims microbiology instructor Morgan Bland

Morgan Bland

Instructor, Microbiology
Dr. Selani Flores, professor of psychology at Aims

Selani Flores

Professor, Psychology
Lynne Fox-Parrish headshot

Lynne Fox-Parrish

Professor, Biology and Environmental Science
Headshot of Emma Murray

Emma Murray

Professor, Biology
Cerisa Reynolds Headshot

Cerisa Reynolds

Professor, Anthropology
Raymond Romero headshot

Raymond Romero

Department Chair - Natural and Physical Sciences
Assistant Professor, Biology
Franci Rottini headshot

Francie Rottini

Professor, Psychology
Aims psychology instructor Arthur Jeremy Rottini headshot

Jeremy Rottini

Instructor, Psychology and World Religions
ShawnaLee Washam headshot

ShawnaLee Washam

Department Chair, WEBSA
Professor, Psychology