Meet the Staff
 Phillip Huebner, Program Director
(480) 727-1036
phillip.huebner@asu.edu
Phill has a bachelors' degree in Biology and in Secondary Education, and has been
involved in American Indian education since 1989. In 1997 he received the
National Science Foundation's Presidential Award in Mentoring. Phill's successful
education programs for American Indians earned him Presidential recognition by President
Clinton at a 1996 White House ceremony. Before coming to Arizona, Phill taught
middle school science and high school cellular biology at Little Wound on the
Pine Ridge Indian reservation. With his friendly attitude, Phill has established
trusted relationships with tribal colleges, teachers, and administrators
throughout Arizona and the United States.
Mary Bauer, Business Manager
(480) 727-1227
mary.bauer@asu.edu
Mary has 23 years experience working at ASU including 6 years in
Business Services, 7 years as a Grant and Contract Accounting accountant
in Sponsored Projects Office and 3 years as a departmental accountant in
Civil and Environmental Engineering. Mary's background covers an
extensive knowledge of University Policy and Procedures, Federal and
State compliance regulations and guidelines as well as financial
management of state and sponsored funds, reconciliation and budget projections.
Karen Brighton, Program Director AZ-RSI
(480) 727-1162
brighton@asu.edu
Karen works with reservation and other rural K-12
school systems to improve math and science education through the National
Science Foundation of Arizona Rural Systemic Initiative. She also involved in
establishing the American Indian Program at Williams Campus. Karen sees Williams
campus as an excellent place for all students to experience a sense of community
while adjusting to the demands of academic life.
Lois Hedlund, Event Coordinator, Sr.
(480) 727-1148
hedlund@asu.edu
Lois is responsible for managing all logistics for the Arizona
Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF). This includes AISEF, CARSEF and
NARSEF. She also manages all marketing functions for the AzSEF,
including designing brochures and other materials used to promote the
fair to all eligible schools, judges and exhibitors. In addition, the
coordination of workshops for teachers has become an important service
to those desiring to have their students succeed at AzSEF. Lois has
been with the department for 10 years, following a 22-year career in
senior management in the credit union industry.
Dorthea Litson, Project Director AZ-RSI
(480) 727-1344
dorthea.litson@asu.edu
Dorthea is a member of the Navajo Tribe. She was
born and raised on the reservation in Tsaile / Wheatfields, AZ. In 1995, she
earned a bachelor's degree in Bilingual Education from Arizona State University
and taught sixth grade for four years on the Navajo Reservation. Currently, she
is working on her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in
Environmental Science. For the past three years, she has been working at the
American Indian Programs Office providing guidance and support for all American
Indian students who attend Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus or Chandler-Gilbert
Community College at Williams campus. She tutors in math, English, and reading.
She also provides informed advising and counseling regarding educational
support.
Miranda Strong-Descheenie, Program Coordinator
480-727-1871
miranda.strong@asu.edu
Miranda is responsible for the various student events and program
coordination on campus. She is the staff representative for all
student-staff interactions, she coordinates with the student workers
and organizes various programs, events and cultural activities for
american indian students at the university. The on-campus student
center runs under her supervision. She also recruits native indian
students from across the state for their active participation at events
at the university.
Connie Gutierrez,Office Specialist, Sr.
480-727-1161
cgutierrez@asu.edu
Performs a variety of administrative activities
requiring initiative and attention to detail including processing all
financial documents and review staff travel claims. She serves as
primary contact with Human Resource department. Connie Maintains
department contact databases, maintains staff calendar and inventory of
supplies. Assists the Director with correspondence, arranging
meetings and appointments for the Director.
Bernadette Spencer, Office Specialist, Jr.
480-727-1307
bernadette.spencer@asu.edu
Bernie assists Connie with the above and with program coordination. She
also serves as our liaison with the schools in Gila River Indian
Community as well as working for her BA in Education..
Debi Molina-Walters,"Mo",Clinical Assistant Professor and Program advisor
480-727-1872
drmo@asu.edu
Debi Molina-Walters, known as Mo, is a California native who joined
the ASU Polytechnic education staff in August of 2004. Mo currently
teaches elementary and secondary science method courses, is the program
coordinator for the post-baccalaureate TEACHME credential program and
the educational advisor for the Bridges to Secondary program through
Polytechnics American Indian Program. Mo holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum
and Instruction, a Masters of Science in Environmental Education and
Masters of Arts in School Counseling. Prior to earning her doctorate,
Mo spent 6 years teaching elementary school, 16 years teaching middle
school science, math and computers, and 2 years teaching high school
science. As a newcomer to Arizona and ASU, Mo has dedicated the past
few years to increasing science education opportunities for students
and veteran teachers in the East Valley.
 Vikas Luthra, Computer Documentation Specialist
480-727-1075
vluthra@asu.edu
Vikas manages the web sites for the department. This includes the department Web site and the science fair web pages. He can assist with any technical problems or broken links related to these Web sites. In addition to this, Vikas assists Lois with all programs and events organized by the department.
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