Previous Employee Members Spotlighted

Sheba Jones, RDH, MSDH AP- Adjunct Faculty in the Dental Hygiene Department

Sheba Jones is an adjunct faculty member of the Dental Hygiene program at Mesa Community College- Red Mountain campus. She has been a practicing registered dental hygienist for nearly 19 years.

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, she was raised in the heart of Phoenix, by a single mother. Sheba lived in public housing and grew up as a child recipient of many public health programs. There was a severe underrepresentation of minority professionals. Sheba recognized that representation is fundamental in serving as an advocate for minority communities, as well as, mentoring or inspiring others who may be considering a career in healthcare or education.

Sheba spent some time living on the east coast where she earned an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene from Mount Ida College, and was immediately motivated to obtain her Bachelor of Science from Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene -MCPHS University.

Sheba began her career, as a private practice clinician, as well as, entering public health as research dental hygienist with Boston University, department of dental public health. Sheba knew at some point in her career she wanted to use her background and knowledge in some form, shape or fashion to give back to the community. Sheba relocated back home to Arizona in 2006 to be near family.

In 2016, Sheba began teaching clinical and didactic courses as an adjunct in the MCC Dental Hygiene Program. Sheba’s drive and dedication to her mission and vision, led her to an additional medical-dental integrated role in public health. This role is as an Affiliated Practice Dental Hygienist at Dignity Health, Chandler Regional Hospital. Sheba provides direct hygiene services and also leads MCC dental hygiene students on rotations in the Intensive Care Unit and the Community Children’s Dental Clinics. Sheba currently mentors and supervises students in providing oral hygiene services to critically underserved populations.

In 2020, Sheba completed her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene with an emphasis on education and public health from Fones School of Dental Hygiene - The University of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Anthony Griffith, MS Elementary Education., BS Criminal Justice & Planning Reading – Faculty, Reading Department

Anthony Griffith PhD., MS Elementary Education., BS Criminal Justice & Planning Reading – Faculty, Reading Department

Dr. Anthony Griffith is a Reading Residential Faculty member at MCC and has been at MCC since 2013. He currently teaches Successful College Reading and College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking courses and serves on the eLearning and OER committees. Prior to MCC, he served on the Rio Advisory Board and the Great Schools, Great Leaders Committee Task Force of Arizona.

Dr. Griffith earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Planning from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a focus in Sociology, a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from Hofstra University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and instruction (Language and Literacy).

After graduating with his Bachelor’s degree, Dr. Griffith accepted a Correction Officer position with the NYC Department of Corrections to Rikers Island housing some of the most dangerous offenders in New York City. He also served on the Hostage Negotiation Unit and Gang Intelligence Unit. The rampant jail violence of slashings, assaults, stabbings, riots, and gang wars which resulted in serious injury and sometimes death was unnerving. It was the culmination of violence, low levels literacy among the inmate population, and the book, Institutional Racism in America that prompted Dr. Griffith to change his career plans and pursue his degree in Education.

Upon completion of his Master’s degree, Dr. Griffith accepted a teaching position from the Elmont Elementary School District. Mulling a possible relocation for graduate school, he attended a job fair at the Waldorf-Astoria New York where he received multiple job offers from various states. He made the decision to accept the Phoenix offer and pursue attend his doctorate degree at ASU.

Dr. Griffith moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he taught second grade in the Phoenix Elementary school district before accepting a great opportunity to teach fourth through eighth grades in the Alhambra Elementary school district. Some of his professional achievements include the Rodel Exemplary Teacher Award, the Excellence in Education Teacher, and the Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week. After graduated with his Ph.D. and shaking hands with President Obama, Dr. Griffith decided to teach middle school a few more years to continue to hone his teaching skills before accepting the Reading position at MCC.

Michelle Traveler, Ph.D., MBA - Faculty, Computer Information Systems (CIS)

Dr. Michelle Traveler is a Computer Information Systems (CIS) faculty member at MCC. She has worked for the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) for over 26 years in a variety of student support and technology roles at five of the 10 colleges.

After earning an Associates of Arts (AA) from South Mountain Community College, Dr. Traveler earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Information Systems Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Ph.D. in Information Technology with a focus on Cloud Computing from Capella University. She was recently recognized by Apple, Inc. Higher Education for her work with diverse students developing apps using Swift and Xcode.

Dr. Traveler has worked to support at-risk students for over 15 years and was the first coordinator of the Women Rising program, MCCCD’s minority female student success initiative. In this role, she helped develop the first district program focused on supporting women of color. She used her technology skills to develop online tools and resources for the 10 colleges’ Women Rising coordinators.

Dr. Traveler is a Faculty Advisor for the Black Student Union (BSU) at MCC, working with Black students on student engagement activities. She serves as the President of the Maricopa Council of Black American Affairs (MCBAA), which is the African-American/Black employee constituency group for MCCCD. MCBAA is also a chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA) and an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. Traveler and her family moved to Arizona when her father, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Grambling State University was recruited into banking management by what was then known as Arizona Bank. She was raised in South Phoenix and considers herself a lifelong learner who is passionate about student success!

Luis Ellis - Academic Advisor for Student Success Programs

Luis Ellis has over 15 years working in higher education. Within that time, Ellis has worked in various capacities throughout the Maricopa County Community Colleges District (MCCCD). Currently, Ellis works as an academic advisor in the department of Student Success Programs. He is the co-advisor of the Black Student Union and the Male Empowerment Network (M.E.N.).

Ellis grew up in Panama City, Panama and at the age of 18, he relocated to the United States to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Arizona State University. Upon completing his degree, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his six-year active duty term, Luis served both stateside and abroad in Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, and Kuwait. While serving his country, Luis received extensive leadership training, worked side-by-side in unified efforts with various branches of the military, and interacted directly with the civilian population in humanitarian relief efforts alongside allied forces.

After his military service, Luis began working as an Academic Advisor at GateWay Community College. While at GateWay, Luis worked in many capacities, including Interim Coordinator of the Achieving a College Education program (A.C.E.) and Co-Advisor of the Hispanic Student Association. During this time, Ellis returned to school to pursue his Master’s Degree in Education at ASU.

After five years at GateWay, Luis transitioned to MCC and began working as a college recruiter. Following his two years in recruitment, he returned to Advisement as an advisor in Multicultural/E.S.L. Services, which is where he has the greatest impact on student success. He provides students with a multitude of tools and resources and the necessary guidance to navigate higher education at MCC.

Ellis coordinated the inaugural Student Leadership Institute, in conjunction with the National Council on Student Development (NCSD). He also served as a tri-chair for the Inclusive Excellence Committee, where he actively engaged in defining and recommending action-oriented goals and outcomes that nurtured and sustained a college culture and organization to make educational excellence inclusive in the following areas: access and equity, diversity in the curriculum, campus climate, teaching and learning, and development.

Ellis is currently pursuing his Doctorate from Fielding Graduate University. He is a servant-leader and dedicated professional who is fully vested in helping others achieve their educational endeavors.