Academic Coaches

  Brenda Bruening                
  Location: Elkhorn Valley              
  Campus 
  bkbruening@mccneb.edu
  Phone: (531) 622-3002
Brenda graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with her master’s degree in English and a certificate in Advanced Writing. She has worked for Metropolitan Community College since 2010 and currently works in the Learning and Tutoring Center. She especially enjoys encouraging students and watching them succeed at meeting their academic goals. Brenda has worked in health and human services, publishing, editing, and also has experience as an overseas volunteer.

     Kelli Schinstock
     Location: South Omaha Campus
     kjschinstock@mccneb.edu
     Phone: 531-622-3862
 
Kelli graduated from UNL with a dual degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She spent many years teaching at a public school specializing in the area of reading and language skills. Kelli joined MCC as a Reading Specialist and then moved to the Sarpy LTC as an Educational Assistant. With the love of teaching and as a lifelong learner, she enjoys working with students to discover new information. There's nothing more fufilling than to help students find their strengths and reach their goals.

   Kerry Johnson          
   Location: Fort Omaha Campus 
   kajohnson17@mccneb.edu
   Phone: (531) 622-4731
Kerry graduated with her bachelor’s degrees in Writer’s Workshop and Secondary Education before starting her full-time work in education and human services. She enjoys helping others with self-advocacy, motivation and reaching goals. Trying to balance school, home and work can be stressful. With a network of support, Kerry believes students can be successful in all levels of education and life. Kerry enjoys helping students identify their strengths and become more productive and confident in school. 

  Austin Siegrist              
  Location: Fremont Center
  asiegrist@mccneb.edu
  Phone: 531-622-3017

Austin graduated from Dordt University with a degree in psychology. He is currently in his master's program studying clinical mental health counseling at Crown College. In his position at Metropolitan Community College, he has enjoyed the many opportunities of helping college students succeed in their educational journey. In his free time, he enjoys serving children and youth in other capacities in his desire to help raise the next generation.

 

   Laura Baca
   Location: Sarpy Center
   lkbaca@mccneb.edu
   Phone: (531) 622-3865

  Laura graduated from Sonoma
State University with her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She joined MCC in 1999 as an Outreach Specialist and has worked in a variety of roles that support students as they navigate the various stages of their academic journeys. She enjoys helping students discover their personal strengths and then motivating them to utilize those strengths to become their best selves.

 

   Julio Hinojosa (for Spanish
   speaking students)
   Location: Fort Omaha  
   Campus 
   jchinojosanaranjo@mccneb.edu
                                  Phone: (531) 622-2576
Julio graduated from the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota with a degree in Business Administration and a marketing concentration. Originally from Ecuador, he is fluent in Spanish and has experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. He currently works at the Learning and Tutoring Center and focuses on helping students achieve their educational goals. Julio has been at Metropolitan Community College since 2017 and enjoys getting to know students and sharing some of his knowledge.

  Dr. Neha Chaudhary (for Health     
  Career Students)
  Location: Online/Zoom
  nchaudhary@mccneb.edu
  Phone: 531-233-0982
Neha graduated from her Doctorate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2023 and she is currently working as a Scientist at Merck. She is dedicated to transforming complex science into accessible knowledge and innovative medical products. She aims to create better consumers of medical healthcare and Scientific knowledge. She has been a college student for 11 years (Bachelors, Master’s, and Ph.D.), and understands the complexity of work-life balance. Neha is passionate about guiding students with the right resources in their chosen career path. She works part-time at the Metropolitan Community College, Learning and Tutoring Center. Her role at MCC gives her opportunities to connect with students on daily basis. In her free time, Neha enjoys traveling with her family.