What We Do

Instructor Bios

Robyn Izquierdo, PhD. — Robyn has been teaching college for over 25 years and absolutely loves it. Her degrees (BA in US History, MA in Ancient History, PhD in Western Theological History, and ABD in Academic Psychology) are a reflection of her love of all things history and of learning itself. She is a founding member of the Honoring Students Project, SafeCircles, and works/serves on numerous non-profit boards or project committees. She has won several teaching awards, and feels most comfortable in front of a classroom. She has overcome several difficult circumstances in her life and she uses the lessons learned from them to guide her goals in education. She presents lectures at university, community and church groups, has written and published a variety of works, and most importantly has two fantastic children. The Learning Fix is part of her dream to use her love of learning and teaching to support and encourage others.

Rick Scerbo- Hello everyone! ”Just keep learning" is one of my mantras in life. When you are learning, you are progressing. Learning helps you grow and become a better person. As someone who has a degree in IT Management and has been working as an IT specialist for over 20 years, I love technology and how it helps to improve our lives. I also love to learn how things work. Even though I will not be taking an engine apart anytime soon, I took an auto shop class in high school so I can see how it is done. Thanks to the internet, I replaced notepads with "things to learn about" scribbled down so I knew what to look for when I went to the library, with the ability, at any time of night or day, to just open a web browser and start learning. Thanks to advances in technology, we can research, learn, grow, communicate, and study anytime and just about anywhere. When Robyn put together "The Learning Fix", I immediately was drawn to its idea and feel honored to be able to give back and share some the wealth of knowledge I have been able to obtain. Originally from NJ, I moved to Kansas for a job with some of my family (the older kids stayed put) and....am loving the less hectic pace of the Midwest. Besides learning, my interests include photography, road trips, music, and raising dogs. I love my Lord and Savior, His church, providing service, and of course my large blended family. I look forward to working with and getting to know students in classes that I teach, as well as learning from those I teach and will be working with.

Naomi Miller, M.S.W. Naomi earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Rutgers-Newark and a Masters in Social Work from NYU; she later returned to Rutgers-Newark to do graduate work in cognitive development. Naomi worked for 20 years as a psychotherapist in community mental health and private practice. She has taught at Sussex County Community College since 1988, including 26 years as a full-time professor in Psychology and Human Services; she retired from full time teaching in 2017. Naomi’s primary academic and teaching interests revolve around the intersections between race, gender, sexuality and class. Naomi has given papers on these topics at numerous academic conferences and workshops and lectures on inclusive pedagogy and practice to faculty at many N.J. colleges and social service agencies. She has published academic articles on a variety of subjects, ranging from “Religious language as a transitional phenomenon” to “Eros in the classroom: boundaries and utility.” Naomi is also a committed pacifist and environmental activist. She lives on the border of the Green Mountain National Forest with her wife, two dogs, and a buddy from high school.

Barbara Sarvis was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey and academically trained at The School of Visual Arts in New York City, Vermont Studio Center, The Charles Cecil Studio in Florence, Italy, Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia.  In addition, She worked as an apprentice to Audrey Flack in the 1970’s.She continued graduate level work in both art and special education at the University of North Florida and held various art administration positions including the Curator of Education for The Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art and Executive Director for The Cultural Center in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
At present she continues to teach students of all age levels and abilities including at risk students, the gifted and talented, adults and professional artists.  She works part time at MASS MoCA.

Meagan J. DeJong, MA: Hello and welcome! I earned an MA in English with a concentration in Composition and Rhetoric and Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing in 2016. I am also certified to teach online courses. I have been teaching, tutoring, and freelance editing and writing for the last decade in academic and professional settings. I have been privileged to have great relationships with my students. Prior to my own experiences teaching, I was a student in both Robyn’s history class and Naomi’s sociology class! They were (are) two professors who influenced my educational trajectory permanently and positively and inspired me to want to teach through their own unique teaching styles and brilliance. While learning and teaching over the last twenty years, I also married my best friend and we have a wonderful son, and together they have taught me, too--about family and love. When I saw that Robyn started The Learning Fix, I felt called to the mission of the education center; so now, in many ways, I feel that my academic journey has come serendipitously full circle. My pedagogical approach is very much learner-centered, and I like to think that I teach with a mixture of empathy, humor, and expertise, encouraging writers to use and raise their voices in ways that extend beyond the classroom. I am endlessly curious and have found that learning has always brought me comfort in difficult times and confidence during times of uncertainty. I hope to bring those same feelings to learners here, and to shine my own little light of discovery on someone’s path. For me, teaching is the work of the mind and the heart, and I am grateful to be here. 

Rich Linden, M.A. Rich has been an associate professor of psychology at Sussex County Community College since 1989. He teaches a wide range of psychology courses and is known to bring humor, empathy and insight into the classroom.  He received the NISOD Teaching Excellence Award in 1991 and has mentored many new college instructors over the years.  Rich was also a mental health clinician and worked at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital and St. Clare’s Community Mental Health Center where he was a clinical supervisor. His work as a consultant and educator has expanded over the years to include numerous presentations and workshops to private industry, colleges and social service agencies. A focus on respecting diverse human experience and multiculturalism is a hallmark of his approach.