Social, Behavioral and Educational Studies

Christine’s Bio
Christine Bachelder is a Professor of Child Development at Black Hawk College, where she has been teaching since 1984. She is also the facilitator for the Early Care and Education programs, and the Fire Service Officer facilitator. She was on the state of Illinois development panel for the AAT in Early Childhood and helped BHC attain the AATs in Early Childhood, Special Education, and Math. She has also done many workshops and trainings on guiding children’s behavior, transitions, health, safety and nutrition, child development and other early childhood topics. She is the advisor for the Child Development Club which supports students majoring in early care and education. She is serving on the Curriculum Committee at Black Hawk College, is on the board of the Quad Cities Association for the Education of Young Children, and is a member of the Early Childhood Coalition, the Quad Cities Early Childhood Conference Committee, Association for Childhood Education International and ACCESS (Early Childhood Community College Faculty).

She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Augustana College, Rock Island and went on to earn a master’s degree in education from University of Iowa, Iowa City. Before coming to Black Hawk College, she taught 7 years in the Rock Island School District, taught preschool and directed a preschool. She holds an elementary teaching certificate from Iowa and Illinois and a birth-3rd grade teaching certificate from Illinois. She also holds the Illinois Director Credential Level 1.

Mrs. Bachelder has a husband and two grown sons. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, going to and discussing movies, music, golf, and spending time with her family.

Courses taught at Black Hawk College:

• CD 100 Intro to Early Childhood
• CD 115 Infant/Toddler Development
• CD 200 Growth and Development of the Young Child
• CD 201 Health, Safety and Nutrition of the Young Child
• CD 202 Observation and Guidance of the Young Child
• CD 204 Child Development Practicum 1
• CD 214 Child Development Practicum II
• CD 215 Infant/Toddler Curriculum

Krisann’a Bio
Krisann Bergo-Brown is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Black Hawk College, where she has been teaching since 2006. She received her bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Kansas. Krisann has focused much of her research on Peace Studies, with a particular interest in African genocide.

Courses taught at Black Hawk College:

• Sociology 101 (in-class, online, and hybrid options)
• Social Problems
• Gender and Society

Traci’s Bio
Traci Davis is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Black Hawk College, where she has been teaching since 2004. She has also done many years of training as a clinical therapist and earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology in 2003. She is the advisor for the Unity Alliance at BHC as well as the Psi Beta club.

Dr. Davis is currently serving on several committees including the IRB committees at BHC. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) and went on to earn her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University.

Courses taught at Black Hawk College:

• Psychology 101 Intro
• Psychology 200 Human Growth and Development
• Psychology 219 Understanding Human Sexuality
• Psychology 250 Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology 290 Educational Psychology

Mark’s Bio
Mark Esposito is Associate Professor of History at Black Hawk College, where he has been teaching since 2001. Professor Esposito considers himself a versatile generalist with interests in the history of the United States and world history. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he is the Director of the Asian Studies Development Program Regional Center at Black Hawk College, through which he works with faculty members to promote Asian studies on campus. Professor Esposito has also served on the Advisory Board of East West Connections: Review of Asian Studies since 2007, and on the Executive Council of Local 1836 of the Illinois Federation of Teachers since 2008.

Mark Esposito received a Bachelor’s degree in History at Baker University in 1993, a Master’s Degree in History at Pittsburg State University in 1996 and a PhD in History from West Virginia University in 2005. At West Virginia, Esposito wrote a doctoral dissertation on the United Auto Workers union and U.S. trade policy. Prior to coming to Black Hawk College, Professor Esposito taught at West Virginia University, Baker University and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Mark Esposito lives in Rock Island, Illinois, with his wife, Alicia, and their three children, Dominic, Vincent, and Alaina. In his spare time, he likes to play with his children, coach youth sports, fish, canoe, and camp.

Courses taught at Black Hawk College:

• History 105: History of the United States to 1877
• History 106: History of the United States since 1877
• History 141: History of Asia I
• History 142: History of Asia II
• History 151: History of the Middle East since 1700
• History 190: A History of American Labor

Most Rev. Dr. Bruce Leblanc’s Biography
Bruce LeBlanc is a professor of sociology and psychology at Black Hawk College. He regularly presents at national conferences on a variety of issues, including diversity and health. He has published two textbook chapters and instructional supplements in both fields, as well as a number of peer reviewed articles in professional journals.

He completed a doctorate in education at the University of Sarasota. He also earned a master’s degree in sociology at Idaho State University; a master’s degree in public administration from the Consortium of the California State University; a master’s degree in transpersonal studies with an emphasis is transpersonal (spiritual) psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Towson State University. Additionally, he has a diploma of paralegal studies from Southern Career Institute and a diploma in massage therapy from The Academy Massage Therapy. He is currently completing a master’s degree in psychology from California Coast University. In anticipation of his retirement, and potentially volunteering at a clinic, he is enrolled in a Medical Assistant diploma program.

Dr. LeBlanc is a board-certified sexologist and a Certificated Sexological Educator/Advisor for HIV/AIDS Prevention. He is an ordained Independent Catholic Bishop (Transformational Catholic Church) with a faith community in Davenport, Iowa. He is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who Among American Teachers, 2000 Intellectuals for the 21st Century, and Living Legends 2005.

Dr. LeBlanc teaching across the sociology and psychology curriculums including the following courses: Principles of Sociology, The Social Psychology of Aging, Introduction to the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Understanding Human Sexuality, Contemporary Social Problems, and Introduction to Psychology. He has also taught: Sociology of AIDS, The Sociology and Psychology of Sexual Orientation, The Sociology of Health, The Sociology of Sex and Gender, Transpersonal Psychology, Sociology of Death and Dying, and Urban Sociology. He has directed independent study courses on: The Sociology of Art, The Sociology and Psychology of Music, The Sociology of Socionics, and The Sociology of Sexual Deviance.

He has served multiple year commitments as Faculty Union President, and Quad Cities Faculty Senate President. He has served on a variety of faculty senate committees, and continues to serve, including: Educational Innovations, Institutional Review Board, and Faculty Senate.

Paul’s Bio
Courses taught at Black Hawk College:

• Economics 150: Consumer Economics
• Economics 221: Principles of MacroEconomics
• Economics 222: Principles of MicroEconomics

Jay’s Bio
Jay Pearce is a Professor in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Educational Studies. He is currently the Honors Coordinator for the BHC Honors Program. Furthermore, he is the faculty advisor for the College Democrats and the Social Gaming Club. Along with Professor Eastlund, he serves as a faculty advisor on the Executive Board for Model Illinois Government as well as preparing and taking delegations from BHC to the MIG simulation each year. He is actively involved in the work of the college, serving on numerous committees as well as on the QC faculty senate.

Dr. Pearce spent ten years teaching for the Dallas County Community College District at the Eastfield Campus just outside Dallas, Texas before coming to Black Hawk. He has also taught at the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Tech University, and Collin County Community College. Additionally, Dr. Pearce has worked in both the public and private sectors, performing research and statistical analyses for bodies ranging from Tandy Corporation, to the City of Dallas, to the Texas State Bar Association. His publications include A Predictive Model of Legitimacy, Crime and Punishment in a Texas Cow Town, and Retrieving the American Past.

Dr. Pearce completed his Ph.D. in History at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2000, having already taken his M.A. in Political Science from Texas Tech University in 1990. His B.A. was also earned in Political Science at Texas Tech in 1986.

Dr. Janet Weigel’s Biography
Dr. Weigel is a professor in the psychology/sociology areas at Black Hawk College. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from St. Xavier University, Chicago Illinois in 1969 and her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from George Williams College, Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. In 2002, she earned her PsyD in Psychology from California Coast University. Dr. Weigel’s primary area of interest is child psychology. She is also very interested in health psychology and teaching about health and aging. She gives workshops on different aspects of child psychology.

Dr. Weigel has taught at Black Hawk College since 1987. She was employed at Lutheran Social Services from 1982 until 1987 and was in the Neuropsychology Clinic at Mercy Center, Aurora, Illinois for eight years. She spent five years as a stay-at-home mom which was one of the most joyous aspects of her life. She has three adult children and one granddaughter.

Areas of enjoyment include baking,gardening, reading, and general house repair and upkeep. She serves as Eucharistic Minister at her church and at Genesis East.

Courses taught at Black Hawk College:

• Psychology 101: Introductory Psychology
• Psychology 262: Child Psychology
• Psychology 260: Personality Theories
• Psychology 230: Social Psychology
• Sociology 101: Introductory Sociology (study unlimited)