About me…
• Creative artist who has been producing artwork (photography and painting) for decades and simultaneously worked as a graphic
designer, college professor, higher education administrator and yoga instructor
• Currently producing and exhibiting artwork, facilitating online classes, developing art education curriculum, and teaching yoga
• Experienced instructor of art/design/history (since 1984) with expertise in presenting to large groups as well as making
television appearances
• Serving private yoga clients since January 2014 and teaching yoga classes since September 2014
including Flow (All Levels), Hot Flow Yoga, Prenatal, Restorative, Yin, and Yoga Nidra
• Developed and presented creativity/yoga workshops including Creative Cakra Collages and Drawing as Meditation
Degrees Earned
EdD in Educational Leadership, Argosy University, Phoenix
Doctoral dissertation titled, Retention Rates: Student Success Relating to Freshman Seminar and Developmental Courses
MFA in Fine Arts (Photography), Arizona State University, Tempe
BFA in Graphic Design, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
College Level Teaching Experience
• Sessions College, Tempe, January 2021 – Present
• University of Phoenix, Tempe, January 2016 – Present
• The Art Institute Online, Pittsburgh, January 2006 – June 2006 + August 2011 - October 2018
• The Art Institute Of Phoenix, Phoenix, June 2001 – June 2014
• Al Collins School of Graphic Design (currently named Collins College), Tempe, Fall 1998
• Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler, Spring 1998
• Glendale Community College, Glendale, Fall 1993 – Spring 1995
• Gateway Community College, Phoenix, Fall 1994
• Phoenix Community College, Phoenix, Spring 1988
• Arizona State University, Tempe, August 1984 – December 1987
Employment Experience
Sessions College for Professional Design, Tempe, February 2019 – Present - Dean of Academic Affairs
University of Phoenix, Tempe, January 2016 – Present - Online Doctoral Level Instructor
University of Phoenix, Tempe, August 2015 – October 2018 - Doctoral Faculty Member
The Art Institute Of Pittsburgh-Online Division, Spring 2006 + August 2011 – 2018 - Adjunct Online Faculty Member
The Art Institute Of Phoenix, Phoenix, July 2006 – June 2014 - Dean of Academic Affairs
The Art Institute Of Phoenix, Phoenix, May 2001 – July 2006 - Senior Academic Director of Graphic Design
Scottsdale Cultural Council, Scottsdale, December 1998 – May 2001 - Graphic Design Manager
Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, April 1996 – December 1998 - Design Manager and Senior Graphic Designer
Exhibition History
• January 2025 – Water, Upward Gallery, Artist listing: https://upwardgallery.com/artists/3155/6713
• December 2024 – Commissioned painting included in Private Collection, St. Louis, MO
• September 2023 – Present, Office Exhibition, Sessions College, Tempe, AZ
• November 2017 – Solo Exhibition,The Alliance Francaise of Greater Phoenix, Scottsdale, AZ
• October 2017 – Grand Opening Exhibition, Fearless Art Works Gallery, Carefree, AZ
• October 2017 – Arizona State Fair, Juried Exhibition – two paintings and two photographs were accepted, Phoenix, AZ
• September 2017 – Man’s Best Friend, Fearless Art Works Gallery, Carefree, AZ
• August 2017 – Fearless Pop Up Exhibit, Dog-Eared Bookstore, Phoenix, AZ
• August 2017 – Fearless Pop Up Exhibit, Ice House Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
• July 2017 – Water: The Solvent of Life, Fearless Art Works Gallery, Carefree, AZ
• June 2017 – Abstract Expressions, Fearless Art Works Gallery, Carefree, AZ
• January 2017 – Nasty Woman Art Show, Grand Arthaus Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
• January 2002 – June 2014 - Faculty Art Exhibit, Art Institute of Phoenix –– work on display during the faculty show as well as permanently
on display within the college.
• April 2012 – Faculty Art Exhibit, Art Institute of Phoenix -– Ai Roosevelt Art District Gallery
• March 2006 – AIGA Art Auction, Bragg Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
• July 1988 – Arizona Artist Exhibition, University of Arizona
• September 1987 – M.F.A. Exhibition, Harry Wood Gallery, Arizona State University
• May 1984 – B.F.A. Graphic Design Exhibition, Design College, University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign
• April 1984 – Group Artist Exhibition, Armory Building, University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign
• February 1984 – Individual Student Artist Exhibition, Design College, University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign
• September 1983 – Summer Travel Class Art Exhibition, Design College, University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign
Awards and Recognition
• USDLA Gold Award: Leadership in Distance Education - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) recognized
Dr. Meryl P. Epstein for her leadership in distance education in 2023. Link to related article: https://www.sessions.edu/press-
release/sessions-college-dean-wins-usdla-award-forleadership-in-distance-education/
• Guest Juror, 2018 Fountain Hills Juried Exhibition, Fountain Hills, AZ
• Arizona State Fair, 2017 Juried Exhibition – two third place awards for photographs
• ACICS Honor Roll School - The Art Institute of Phoenix was recognized in 2009 as an Honor Roll School by ACICS (Accrediting Council for
Independent Colleges and Schools) and was granted eight years of accreditation.
• AIGA Fellow - This first AIGA Fellow awarded (September 2007) by Arizona AIGA in recognition for dedication to the field of Graphic
Design through education and professional design work in the industry.
• Gold Star of Excellence 2003 - Entry: Teen Week (The Art Institute of Phoenix), Category: Best Practices, Awarded at the Conference of
Arizona Post-Secondary Schools
• AzTec Gold Award 2000 - Entry: Scottsdale Arts Festival Program (Scottsdale Cultural Council), Category: Best Event Program, Awarded at
the Arizona Festivals and Events Association Conference
• Gold Quill Award 1998 - Entry: Grand Opening of the Arizona Science Center, Category: Multi-Audience Communication, Awarded by the
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Silver Quill Award 1998 - Entry: Grand Opening of the Arizona Science Center, Category: External Campaigns, Awarded by the
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Dibner Award for Excellence in Museums 1996 - Entry: Theodore Roosevelt Dam and Desert Bloom Exhibit, Arizona Historical Society
Awarded by the Society for History of Technology
• New Times Photography Competition 1987 - 1st place, Black & White Photography, New Times, Phoenix, AZ
Yoga Related Education
300 hour Yoga Teacher Training toward RYT 500, The Authentic Yoga Teacher Training,
Dave’s Astanga Yoga, Scottsdale, 7/2015 (RYT 500 Yoga Alliance)
200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification, The Authentic Yoga Teacher Training,
Dave’s Astanga Yoga, Scottsdale, 1/2014 (RYT 200 Yoga Alliance)
CPR and AED Certified, American Heart Association BLS curriculum for healthcare Providers,
Paradise Valley Community College, 5/2015
Pre/postnatal Yoga + Energetics of Birthing Certification, Dave’s Astanga Yoga, Scottsdale, 1/2014
Yoga Nidra Facilitator Training with Stephen Price, Dave’s Astanga Yoga, Scottsdale, 10/2013
Reiki I Training with Emily Horning, Dave’s Astanga Yoga, Scottsdale, 7/2013
Yoga and Related Teaching Experience
• Private Clients, Phoenix and Flagstaff, AZ, January 2014 – Present – work with individual clients
on Yogic Breathing, Postures, Prenatal Yoga, Restorative, Yin, Yoga Nidra, and Youth Yoga.
• Ha Yoga, Tempe, AZ, August 2015 – December 2018 – teach Flow (all levels), Restorative, Yin, and Pre-natal
• Summit Health and Fitness, Flagstaff, AZ, September 2014 – Present – teach Flow (all levels),
Yoga Nidra, Hot Yoga Flow, Yin, Restorative and Yoga Pilates Fusion classes
• Dave’s Astanga Yoga, Scottsdale, AZ, October 2013 – April 2015 – taught yoga and creativity/meditation
workshops during yoga teacher training intensive workshops
• Free Arts of Arizona – January 2006 – September 2007, on a weekly basis, volunteered as a mentor bringing
art and yoga to abused and homeless children
Professional Affiliations and Community Participation
• Yoga Alliance, RYT 500 Member
• Linked In - profile available at: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/preview?locale=en_US&trk=prof-0-sb-preview-primary-button
• AIGA Fellow - The first AIGA Fellow awarded (September 2007) by Arizona AIGA in recognition for dedication to the field of Graphic
Design through education and professional design work in the industry.
• Free Arts of Arizona – volunteered as a mentor bringing art to abused and homeless children