Faculty and Staff
James Conner
Department Head of Speech/Instructor of Speech
Fine Arts 102
911 Boling Highway
Wharton, Tx. 77498
Ph: (979) 532-6337
Email: connerj@wcjc.edu
James Conner finished his B.S. degree from the University of Houston-Downtown in 1999.
He received his M.A. from the University of Houston in 2008. He is also a graduate
of Wharton County Junior College receiving his A.A. degree in 1989.
As an adjunct instructor, Conner taught speech and mass communication classes at Houston
Baptist University, Houston Community College, and the University of Houston. Prior
to entering academia full time, he spent more than 15 years in the communications
industry as a radio broadcaster, media relations director, and managing editor.
Kirk Cowell
Instructor of Speech
Fine Arts 101
911 Boling Highway
Wharton, TX 77498
Ph: (979)-532-6911
Email: cowellk@wcjc.edu
Kirk Cowell received his B.S. (1994), M.Div. (2002) and D.Min. (2014) degrees from Abilene Christian University. Before coming to WCJC, he taught speech classes as an adjunct instructor at Tarrant County College for one year, and at Laredo Community College for five years.
Prior to becoming a speech instructor, Dr. Cowell served for more than a decade in Christian ministry, gaining experience in teaching, pastoral counseling, committee leadership, and public speaking that informs his teaching work. He maintains an interest in intergenerational religious education models and conducts occasional seminars and workshops on that topic.
Tiffany Jones
Instructor of Speech
SGL-226
14004 University Blvd.
Sugar Land, Tx. 77479
Ph: 281-243-8584
Email: jonest@wcjc.edu
Tiffany Jones graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the
University of North Texas. She also completed her Master of Arts in Communication
Studies from UNT. Before becoming a faculty member at WCJC, Ms. Jones worked as a
Career Services Advisor and as an Executive Recruiter where she taught professional
communication skills, interview skills, and resume writing skills in both roles; she
has also served as an adjunct instructor for several years. Ms. Jones has taught
the following courses: Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, Introduction
to Speech Communication, and Business and Professional Speaking.
Karen Prisner
Instructor of Speech
SGL-229
14004 University Blvd.
Sugar Land, Texas 77479
Ph: (281) 243-8537
Email: KarenPr@wcjc.edu
Karen Prisner completed her Bachelors of Art in Applied Arts at Texas A&M University
Corpus Christi, during the spring of 1999. In 2002 she earned her a M.A. in Public
Relations from the University of Houston’s main campus.
Karen has been with WCJC for several years where she primarily teaches Fundamentals
of Speech. However, Mrs. Prisner has taught others courses such as Business and Professional
Communication and Interpersonal Communication to name a few, while serving as adjunct
professor at other educational institutions.
Patrick Ralls
Instructor of Speech
Fine Arts 105
911 Boling Highway
Ph: 979-532-6978
Email: rallsp@wcjc.edu
Mr. Patrick Ralls completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University and his Master of Arts degree from the University of Houston. Before coming to WCJC he taught as an adjunct instructor at Lone Star College-North Harris.
Adjunct Instructors
Andra McLarty
Part-Time Instructor of Speech
Email: McLartyA@wcjc.edu
Andra Allen McLarty received her B.A. in Theatre (with an emphasis in acting and directing) from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She also completed Master of Science degrees in both Theatre and Speech at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce.) For over twenty-five years, Andra has taught several speech and introductory theatre courses at the college level. She views teaching a speech class as a service to the community.
Christian Spencer
Part-Time Instructor of Speech
Email: Spencerc@wcjc.edu
Christian received her B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Radio, TV, Film Production from the University of South Alabama. She went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Communication before switching focus to a degree within the field of Education. After working in education and training and pursuing a graduate degree, Ms. Spencer decided to change fields and went on to earn her Master of Science in Education degree with an emphasis in Teaching with Technology from Kaplan University.
Pam Speights
Part-Time Instructor of Speech
Email: pams@wcjc.edu
Pam Speights, ED.d, from the University of Houston.; M.S. Human Communication from Abilene Christian University, and her B.S.E.D in Speech Education from Abilene Christian University.
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