Senior Institute Instructors

Barbara Abramson holds an MLA degree from Johns Hopkins University and two B.S. degrees, one in English/Social Studies from Towson University and one in Paralegal Studies fro Villa Julie College. She taught social studies for over 30 years in the Baltimore County Public School system and received many awards for teaching excellence.

David Allen a local movie buff with ten year’s experience in motion-picture publicity and production including feature films and public relations voices in Hollywood and Maryland.

Cliff Alper is Professor Emeritus in music from Towson University, and holds a Ph.D. in music from The University of Maryland. He has published in Opera News, and the Verdi Newsletter. Additionally, he has lectured for the Baltimore Opera Company, The Rosa Ponselle Foundation, “the Joy of Opera” at Oheb Shalom and The Harford Opera Theater Company.

Barbara Bachur holds a B.A. in English with a dual concentration in Literature and Writing from Goucher College and is working on a Master’s Degree at Towson University. She is a certified teacher with 10 years’ experience teaching English literature and creative writing including some years with adult learners.

Barbara Cochnar is a certified aquatics instructor who teaches at the Merritt Athletic Club. She also teaches Yoga at the Hopewell Cancer Yoga Center.

Habib Daneshvar has been faculty in the field of Computer Information Systems and Business Technology disciplines over 10 years at Universities and Community Colleges in Pennsylvania and 3/1/2 years at Baltimore City Community College.

Jane Efron was born in England and attended nursing school. After meeting her husband, Gershon Efron, they relocated to the United States where Jane obtained her B.A. degree from Notre Dame College. She
has taught English in the Baltimore County school system for 17 years.

Toby Essrog holds degrees in education, gerontology, and Jewish Studies. She has been an educator for 40 years and affiliated with CCBC for 24 years.

Harold Fox holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and M.S. in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. He worked for 30 years at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.

Jeff Goodson has a master’s degree in international relations and bachelor’s degree in history.

Jeanne Gourlay holds a BA from the University of Maryland, a Masters Degree in French, a minor in Spanish and has completed extensive graduate work. She has lived in France, Mexico and England.  Her teaching experience includes 30 years in Baltimore County Schools, 15 years as adjunct instructor in Continuing Education and 6 years as a Foreign Language Adjunct Professor at CCBC.

Shirley Jenkins is a well-known award-winning artist and teacher from the Alabama Gulf coast. She is also an accomplished portrait artist. Giclees prints of her paintings of jazz musicians are displayed in each of the thirteen hundred rooms in the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Her works have appeared on Chamber of Commerce booklets, the book cover of Foley Steps Forward, and the Coast Magazine of Gulfport, MS. She is a signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society.

Hannah Kagan has a B.A. from UMBC in history and secondary education. She presently teaches economics, American and Jewish History and has been affiliated with CCBC for eight years at the Owings Mills campus.

Mari Kane has facilitated book groups and taught history of mystery books for the Auburn Society for 5 years. She has a B.S. in Social Studies and an M.A. in Counseling from Slippery Rock University

Marvin Kline holds a Masters of Divinity from Wesley College in Washington, D.C. He has taught numerous courses in different World Religions at CCBC for the past 6 years as well as courses in Religion, Ethics, History and Sociology for over 40 years.

Natalie Kimbrough has a Ph.D. in History and is an assistant professor at CCBC. For the past three years she has taught history with a focus on U.S. and ethnic history.

John Kinnier served 25 years in the Navy in a number of operations and weapons development assignments, and retired as a Captain. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is retired from the Lockheed Martin Corporation where he served as Director of Programs and Director of Technical Operations

Barry Leven holds a B.E.S. degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in Navy research and Development as well as Naval Intelligence, and the CIA. After retiring from Federal service, he was employed by Booz, Allen and Hamilton, a consulting firm. Presently he is a docent at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Melvin Linton, ASID Designer, has over 30 years’ teaching and work experience in interior design and architecture including the Newport School of Interior Design and New England School of Art. He holds degrees in B.S., ESOL, and MRE.

Anna Lipka studied art in the Caribbean islands and this environment influenced her use of natural, bold, vivid colors and enhanced her early works. She is the protégé of Baltimore’s famous screen painter, Tom Lipka and is his lead apprentice.

Jerome Mandelberg entered the field of professional lecturing after more than 40 years as an attorney in Baltimore City. He has also lectured at the Johns Hopkins University School of Professional Studies in Business and Education.

Larry Martin retired from the US government as a computer Security Specialist after 33 years and became a volunteer. He soon realized the value of volunteerism. He is presently the Volunteer Coordinator at Patapsco State Park.

Robert Mullauer, a Towson University and University of Maryland graduate with a BA in history also obtained a masters degree from the American Military College. He has taught for 10 years in local high schools.

Ellie Gumnit Reamer holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland in General and Jewish Studies. She has a Masters Degree from American University and has taught at CCBC for 15 years.

Alan Reese has over thirty years of teaching experience, is a published author and has his own publishing company.

John Reynolds has taught history for the past 33 years and is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society

Dona Rucci retired from Verizon after 34 years and was a webmaster (web site and graphics design) and data base programmer. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. and M.A. in Liberal Arts, has been a webmaster for 10 years and also teaches History and Computer classes at CCBC.

Cynthia Salehi holds a Masters Degree in German Literature and is a professor
at CCBC.

Wayne Schaumburg received his undergraduate degree from Towson University, holds a Masters Degree in History from Morgan State University and a Masters
of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. Wayne taught for 39 years in the Baltimore City Public School System.

Donald L. Schoene, Sr. is the former Program Director of Industrial Electricity/
electonics and Telecommunications Program at CCBC Dundalk.

Daniel Shanahan is currently Vice President of the Baltimore County Genealogical Society and member of the Baltimore County Historic Trust. He has taken numerous courses in genealogy and genealogical research. Retired Architectural/Construction Administrator for RTKL, he has college work in architecture from Johns Hopkins University.

Frank Sofsky holds a B.S. in Mass Communication from Towson University

Regina Sztajer holds a B.S. in History and an M.A. in Liberal studies from Towson University

Jack Thames holds a Masters Degree in Music from the Peabody Conservatory and a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University.

Judy Walters is a professional artist and has a bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Nebraska.

Wilson Watson holds a B.A. from Washington College, M.A. in English from Morgan State, M.L.A. and Certificate of Advanced Study from Johns Hopkins University. Having taught English for 10 years in secondary schools he also spent 35 years on the English faculty at CCBC Catonsville, 14 of which were served as Department Chairman.

Carol Westphal is a docent for the BMA, president of the Art Gallery of Fells Point, member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and Charcoal Club.

Diane Willen earned her Ph.D. from Tufts University and taught for thirty years at Georgia State University, where she also chaired the Department of History. She’s authored John Russell, First Earl of Bedford, One of the King’s New Men and has published several articles on English religious and social history. Her current research focuses on English Puritanism.