Success Stories

Susan Bishop an Educational Program Assistant in the Economic Development Department of Chaffey College. On the Chaffey team since December 2009, Susan is responsible for managing the many multiple budgets within the Department as well as assisting the Director with her schedule and other tasks.

Favorite Memory at Chaffey: When a woman who was a single mother on cash aid, overcame many obstacles to complete our Vocational Education class.  Not only did she complete the program, but she got a good paying job and was able to support herself and her children for the first time ever.  It was so rewarding to see this woman and her family’s lives transformed.

Favorite Hobbies: Cooking, entertaining, gardening, reading & animals

Jennifer Poe McDaniel serves as the Lead Data and Project Manager for Chaffey College at the Industrial Technical Learning Center (InTech), joining the team in 2015. She works regionally to upskill and train individuals in high-skill, high-wage careers. Currently, Jennifer is the lead for all youth programs and special project implementation, such as Building and Energy Systems Professionals, Conventional Machining and Additive Manufacturing, working everyday toward the betterment of the Inland Empire region.

Favorite Memory at InTech: There are so many memories to choose from. I loved the GRAND OPENING. The excitement, the buzz, the community uniting. I also love seeing my youth students promote and complete their programs, as well as continuing their education. But I think what I love most are the graduations! Meeting the families that we’ve impacted and hearing the stories of their success and recognizing that all of our “behind the scenes” hard work is making a difference – that’s my favorite on-going memory. Seeing them come back and tell us about their new job or house or how their other family members are now motivated because of them…those are the memories I cherish. Those are the memories that will last a lifetime.

Favorite Hobbies: Drawing, painting, designing, CREATING! Rodeo, all things animals, off-roading and traveling.

Contact me about Conventional Machining, Additive Manufacturing and Youth Programs!

jennifer.mcdaniel@chaffey.edu

(909) 652-8477

Natalie Weaver is the Grant Liaison at Chaffey College InTech Center. On the InTech team since November 2016, Natalie is responsible for coordinating internships and apprenticeships between students and employers. She also assists with grant writing for Chaffey College Economic Development, which is currently 100% self-sustained.

Favorite Memory at InTech: When an InTech student was offered a full-time position at $22.81/hour at his internship site. This hard-working, intelligent student had been laid off from his previous job due to budget cuts, and hearing the joy in his voice when he found out he got a new career made what we do all worth it. Because of this job offer, he was able to continue supporting his family and was on-track to participate in our registered apprenticeship program.

Favorite Hobbies: Hiking, playing slowpitch softball, traveling the county, and animal rescue

Contact me about Internships and Apprenticeships!

natalie.weaver@chaffey.edu

(909) 652-8491

Steve Ward is employed at the InTech Center as an Instructional Assistant. He is the newest member of the InTech team, having just recently started in February 2019. Steve’s duties include: assisting instructors and students in and out of the classroom; keeping classrooms and training equipment in working order; helping to promote the programs that InTech has to offer; and anything in between!

Favorite Memory at InTech: As a new member here, Steve already has the fond memory of how quickly his new coworker, Jenn M. has helped him dive head-first into the process of welcoming potential new students to the InTech Center.

Favorite Hobbies: Dirt bike Riding, Hiking, and anything with my 135 lb Chocolate Labrador, Jack!

Debbie Smith is the Economic Development Administrator at the InTech Center.  Debbie has worked in the Economic & Workforce Development Departments for 19 years, overseeing the day-to day operations of grant/contract-funded training programs. Previously she worked at Baldy View ROP teaching Hotel/Food Service Management classes, and prior to that she worked in hotel management for more than 15 years.

A Mentor Coordinator position was created for Debbie at Chaffey College in 2000 when she was first hired. She developed a program that matched students with mentors from the business community within their program of study. For example, an accounting student might be mentored by a CPA or a student going through criminal justice classes might be matched with someone from the parole or probation division in order to experience ‘a day in the life’ for these careers.

Favorite Memory at InTech: A student who had received training at InTech and was being hired at almost $23 per hour stated that I was the one who conducted his training intake and interviewed him for the program.  He said, ‘I still remember you asking if I liked to work with my hands, and if I had ever taken anything apart like a clock radio?’ He said he did like to do that work but that his previous job was doing paperwork, and it didn’t offer that much opportunity.   

Favorite Hobbies: Spending time with family and pets, travelling, and gardening.

Contact me about our unique and accelerated programs!

deborah.smith@chaffey.edu

(909) 652-8483

Sandra Sisco is the Director of Economic Development and oversees the daily operation of the INTECH Center. Sandra has over 10 years’ experience developing public-private partnerships with industry through contract education regionally and statewide. As Director, Sandra ensures that Chaffey College remains at the forefront of business and industry’s needs through the INTECH Center as a regional training facility that is “designed by industry for industry.”

Favorite Hobbies: Hiking, wine tasting, spending time with family.

Karena Jimenez is the Grant Liaison at Chaffey College InTech Center. On the InTech team since June 2016, Karena is responsible for the administration of the ETP (Employment Training Panel) contract and the coordination of all the trainings funded by ETP. Karena also supports and coordinates the electrical and mechanical trainings for incumbent workers.

Favorite Memory at InTech: My favorite moment at InTech is when an ETP-funded training participant expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the workplace English training because it had improved his confidence in the workplace. Not only did it help him in his work life, but it even allowed him to feel less self-conscious with his own kids as well.

Favorite Hobbies: Cooking, Baking, Music

Contact me about Employee Training!

karena.jimenez@chaffey.edu

(909) 652-8490

Irene Gishwiller is a Grant Coordinator at Chaffey College InTech Center. She joined the InTech team in July 2013. Irene is primarily responsible for coordinating all Vocational Education training for Economic Development and provides job essential skills training to all of the InTech students.

Favorite Memory at InTech:

It brings me great joy to see the students learning and growing daily in class. I love it when they get their dream job and are on their way to success and doing great things in their lives.

Favorite Hobbies:

Hiking, shopping, travelling, reading, spending time with family and friends, and attending her kids sporting events.

Jon Fox is the Business Liaison at Chaffey College InTech Center. On the InTech team since July 2018, Jon visits employers and builds relationships to help match them with services the InTech Center offers. As part of the Contract Education team, Jon helps coordinate workforce training funded by ETP (Employment Training Panel), and specifically deals with customized training projects for individual companies.

Favorite Memory at InTech: Walking by one of the classrooms down the hall from my office, and seeing a group of fifteen employees from a local manufacturer laughing and cheering each other on, as they participated in a “demo assignment” for a new skill they were learning in a communication training. Seeing learning be genuinely enjoyable for the participants (and instructor), made my role in coordinating it even more rewarding.

Favorite Hobbies: Coffee (roasting, precision brewing and definitely drinking), board games, guitar

Contact me about Customized Workforce Training!

customizedtraining@chaffey.edu

(909) 652-8492

Linda Burton is the Business Liaison at Chaffey College. She has been on the team since October 2015. As part of the Vocational Education team, she is responsible for building and managing relationships with business and students to coordinate internship opportunities; referring students to appropriate community resources; providing coaching and mentoring; providing case management and other professional development training. Linda also helps upskill students, teaches computer, customer service, and team building skills, and advocates for students with legal, medical, housing and other services as needed.

As a trainer, Linda is certified in:

NCTI Crossroads, Prepare/Enrich, Within Our Reach, World Class Relationships for Work & Home, World Class Marriage, Everything DISC, and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Facilitator Accreditation and Life Coach

Favorite Memory: Watching my students have a-ha moments during their training

Favorite Hobbies: Adventure sports

Contact me about Internships!

lindaburton@outlook.com

(909) 652-8488

Alan Braggins is the Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN): Advanced Manufacturing Sector, for the Inland Empire/Desert Community College Region, hosted at Chaffey College. He is a skilled and knowledgeable educator and business professional specializing in Technology Implementation, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Logistics Operations. He is an accomplished corporate instructor, extremely analytical and very strong in identifying and successfully obtaining cost reductions across the entire supply chain. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of La Verne.

Favorite Memory at InTech: How welcoming the staff and faculty make each individual feel.

Favorite Hobbies:  Learning how to appreciate the subtle varieties of Craft Beer, exploring the United States via car or luxury liner, and playing card and board games with our extended family.

Jennifer Arroyo is the Workforce Generalist at Chaffey College InTech Center. She joined the InTech Team in February 2018 but has been part of the Economic Development Department since November 2016. Jennifer is responsible for the information desk and admissions at InTech. She assists with processing the student paperwork according to grant requirements. She works closely with the trainers and students from day 1 of class to graduation.

Favorite Memory at InTech:

My favorite memory at InTech is EVERY time I hear that a student got a job because of their training. It shows that the dedication and persistence they undertook day after day to complete the training was more than worth it. It makes me think back to when I first spoke to the student (whether they called in or came in person) to ask about the trainings we offer and how I helped answer their questions/guide them through admissions. Getting to be the person who the student may first speak to and guide them toward a life changing decision makes me feel happy for each and one of their successes.

Favorite Hobbies: listening to music, traveling, playing basketball, photography, being a volunteer youth mentor

Contact me about Admissions!

jennifer.arroyo@chaffey.edu

(909) 652-8488