Our College

Shaping Our Future: Leadership, Mission, and Impact

Ross Hall is home to Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, English and History programs atr UNC

From the Dean: A Vision of Excellence

I am privileged to serve as Dean of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) at UNC, where students come first. NHS boasts a vibrant student body, dedicated staff, and nationally renowned faculty. In NHS, we value personalized relationship-based education where we know our students as individuals, high-quality programs that prepare tomorrow’s workforce, and a focus on equity that transcends all areas of our work. Our college takes pride in the teacher-scholar model, where student learning takes precedence and faculty-student research collaborations are of prime importance.

In the teacher-scholar model research and teaching inform each other. Our continued academic successes reflect this symbiotic relationship. For instance, our faculty are recognized as experts in subject matter pedagogy, and along with our students, are also regularly honored as subject matter scholars in their fields. Our programs are equally nationally recognized, as epitomized by the recent #13 rank of NHS’s Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Program by US News and World Report.

I am passionate about student success, student access to higher education, mentoring students in research, and the role of the university as a partner in its region’s cultural growth.  As dean, I will continue to support UNC’s academic mission and values, as well as our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence. I encourage you to visit our beautiful grounds or to explore our engaging website.

Sincerely,

Kamel Haddad Signature

Kamel Haddad

 

Our Mission, Values and Goals

At NHS, personalized education is central to how we put students first. Guided by the teacher-scholar model, we equip students to conduct high-quality research and clinical practices while preparing them to become leaders and problem solvers in society. A strong focus on equity informs every aspect of our work, ensuring that all students are supported and empowered. Our faculty bring real-world experience in their respective fields and are committed to preparing the next generation of professionals in the natural sciences, health sciences, and education.

We value a personal approach to education, where we get to know each student as an individual. We help them succeed in their studies and future careers through hands-on learning and working closely with faculty.

We offer strong programs that prepare students for the workforce, encourage lifelong learning, and help them become global citizens and problem-solvers.

We value diversity among our students, teachers, and staff. We believe in creating a welcoming place where everyone can do their best.

Personalized Relationship-Based Education

• Foster student connections, sense of belonging, and professional preparation through internships, applied learning, clinical experiences, interdisciplinary collaboration, and early research opportunities.

• Increase student and faculty research and funding opportunities by encouraging grant writing.

High-Quality Programs

• Prepare students for global challenges by incorporating interdisciplinary learning outcomes in courses.

• Ensure courses and programs are developing students for careers in the natural and health sciences.

Diversity

• Attain equitable outcomes for minoritized and first-generation students with a focus on retention, recruitment, graduation rates, success rates in classes, and persistence in natural and health sciences.

• Adapt to the changing dynamic of the student population and of STEM and health disciplines by expanding faculty and staff participation in DEI professional development and continuously evaluating DEI practices.

• Recruit diverse faculty and staff through equitable hiring practices in STEM and health disciplines.

• Align faculty workload to individual faculty strengths.

• Prioritize faculty and staff retention and positive college climate.

Guiding Voices: Our Advisory Council

The NHS Advisory Council is a volunteer board that provides strategic guidance to the College of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) at the University of Northern Colorado. The Council supports the College by offering insights on workforce trends, connecting NHS with industry, government, and community partners, and advocating for the College’s programs and mission. Members include industry professionals, UNC alumni, and current students who bring diverse perspectives to help NHS remain responsive, innovative, and impactful.

Kamel Haddad: Dean & Co-chair

Kamel Haddad assumed the role of Dean of NHS at UNC on May 1, 2021.

Dr. Haddad previously served as vice provost for planning and academic resources and then as interim provost at California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM). During his tenure, CSUSM saw its freshman and transfer graduation rates reach record highs. Prior to joining CSUSM, Haddad served as the associate dean of the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering at Cal State Bakersfield. Haddad is a senior Fulbright scholar and professor of mathematics.

Haddad was raised in Beirut, Lebanon, where he attended a French K-12 school. He immigrated to the United States at the height of the Lebanese civil war to pursue higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a PhD in mathematics in the area of topological and symbolic dynamics from the University of Maryland.

Kamel is an avid bridge player, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, an average (but committed) racquetball player, and a huge fan of his wife and children.

Headshot of Dean Kamel Haddad in a business suit with grey background

Annette Martinez: Co-Chair

Annette R. Martinez is a retired Senior Vice President of State Farm® Mutual Automobile Insurance Companies, where she led Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility, Public Affairs, and Diversity & Inclusion during her 34-year career.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Northern Colorado and has earned CLU, ChFC, and CPCU designations.
Appointed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Annette serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Northern Colorado and the 19th Judicial Nominating Commission. She also serves on the boards of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and the Northern Colorado American Cancer Society. Her previous roles include board positions with UnidosUS and the Community Cancer Center Foundation.
Annette’s honors include Black Enterprise’s Top Executive in Corporate Diversity (2018), NAFE’s Diversity Champion (2018), and the National Diversity Council’s Power 50 Award (2020, 2021).
She resides in Windsor, Colorado with her husband, Ruben, and their daughter, Andrea, a 2020 Harvard graduate.

Headshot photo of Annette Martinez with a grey background

Wendi Young

Wendi Young is a Colorado native and UNC chemistry graduate (’94) with a strong background in pharmaceutical science and regulatory leadership. She spent over 17 years at Tolmar, where she served as Senior Director of Analytical Development, leading the creation of 25+ pharmaceutical products and managing a quality control team of over 100 chemists and microbiologists. She also mentored and hired dozens of UNC graduates.

black and white photo of Wendi Young

Mark Wallace

Mark E. Wallace, MD, MPH is the Chief Clinical Officer for Sunrise Community Health, a federally qualified health center with twelve locations serving northern Colorado since 1973; a founding partner and the CEO/CMO of the North Colorado Health Alliance, a non-profit community-based public-private collaboration founded in 2000 whose partnerships treat health as a single complex phenomenon; and the Chief Clinical Officer for Northeast Health Partners, the Medicaid accountable entity for HCPF Region 2. Dr. Wallace received his medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in 1984. He completed a family medicine residency at the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program in Santa Monica, California in 1987 and an Academic Family Medicine Fellowship at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angles in 1989. He received his MPH from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in 1989. Dr. Wallace also attended the Johnson & Johnson / UCLA Health Care Executive Program at the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management in 2004 and the Regional Institute for Health & Environment Leadership program in 2011-2012.

Dr. Wallace served twice as Program Director for the North Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program while he was the Director of GME for Banner North Colorado Medical Center. He also served as the Health Officer and Executive Director of the Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment for over two decades. Dr. Wallace has served as President of the Weld County and Northern Colorado Medical Societies. He was a Commissioner and Vice-chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform. Dr. Wallace also served on the Centennial Care Choices Program Panel. He was elected to two four-year terms on the Weld County School District 6 Board of Education where he served as President for 6 years and on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Association of School Boards when he toured the state in 2004 as President of the Association discussing TABOR and other constitutional limits on state revenues and expenditures with local school boards and communities. Dr. Wallace served on the Board of Directors for Sunrise Community Health prior to joining the team as CCO. He served 13 years on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Health Foundation completing his last year in December 2022 as the Board Chair. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Improving Value in Health Care, and on the Board of Directors for Banner Health.

Protrait shot of Mark Wallace in front of blue background

Milaat Atakilt

Milaat Atakilt is a student in her second year at the University of Northern Colorado. She is in her junior year academically, studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a double minor in Business Administration and Psychology. She plans to continue her education in graduate school and go into audiology utilizing her degree; one day hoping to have her own private practice.

Having been born and raised in the Greeley/Evans area, Milaat is intimately familiar with its diverse culture and people.  As a highschooler, Milaat interned for the City of Greeley’s Human Resources department. Following her internship, the department welcomed her back with a new position. In this role, she had the opportunity to familiarize herself with different aspects of government, employee relations, and community acts within the city. This experience allowed her to gain a better understanding of government procedures and the processes of implementing change within them.

With her unique perspective and passion for change, Milaat hopes to aid her community in whatever way she can.

Headshot of Milaat in front of a stone wall

Amanda Schroeder

Amanda Schroeder brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a strong background in fundraising, event planning, relationship building, and project management. She has contributed her skills to organizations such as Wellspring Health Access and Animal Friends Alliance, helping to advance mission-driven initiatives. Amanda is a proud alumna of Colorado State University, where she earned a B.S. in Hospitality Management with a minor in Business Administration.

Headshot of Amanda Schroeder in a pink blazer with a hallway background

Deanna Wychulis

Deanna Wychulis is an accomplished HR leader who currently spearheads the Human Resources function for the Greeley facility at Leprino Foods, the world’s premier producer of mozzarella and dairy ingredients. Leprino Foods sets the benchmark for innovation in Food Science, with an unwavering commitment to exceptional quality execution. In her role, Deanna steers the leadership and development strategy for the plant, with a keen focus on cultivating high-performing teams that fuel both organizational growth and employee satisfaction.

 

Deanna was raised in Highlands Ranch, CO and has lived throughout Colorado. Deanna holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, with a minor in Psychology, from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute.

 

With a passion for community involvement, Deanna recognizes the intrinsic value of forging meaningful partnerships within the communities she serves. With her comprehensive industry knowledge, strategic vision, and a heart for making a difference, Deanna Wychulis is eager to lend her expertise to the advisory committee, helping shape impactful decisions that drive positive change and advancement.

Brittany Cundiff

Brittany joined the UNC team in 2020 as the Donor Relations Coordinator and moved to role Director of Development in 2021. As a member of the development team, Brittany works with donors to advance UNC’s most important priority – our students.

Adam Wilson

Adam is a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep-seated passion for robotics, mathematics, and innovative solutions. He founded his first company, Sphero, which continues to operate in Boulder, CO, dedicated to using robotics as a tool for teaching programming to both children and adults through practical, real-world applications.

Over the years, Adam has launched several ventures, focusing on hardware manufacturing, sophisticated radio frequency antenna production, and innovative water measurement using GPS satellite reflections. Currently, he serves as a private contractor for the Department of Defense, where he is developing next-generation cybersecurity defense tools.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Adam enjoys spending time in the mountains, engaging in activities such as camping, motorcycle riding, and dirt biking in the Colorado wilderness. He is a proud owner of a Maine Coon cat and takes pleasure in upgrading and maintaining his home in Colorado Springs. As a mentor to numerous company founders, Adam is dedicated to lending his expertise and support to projects aimed at making a positive impact on the world.

Ashley Aragon

Ashley Aragon is the Principal at Bella Romero Academy of Applied Technology in Greeley, Colorado. The Academy is a K-8 school serving 900 students across two campuses. Ashley is a leader who is passionate about the education of all students and supporting students in achieving their dreams.

Ashley began her education career as an Elementary Teacher after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English Language Acquisition from the University of Northern Colorado. Her passion for education continued to grow, and a mission for equity and access for all students began.

While pursuing her Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Ashley continued her work as an elementary teacher and taught 2nd grade, 4th grade and supported Multilingual students. In 2011, Ashley served as an assistant principal at Scott Elementary and Shawsheen Elementary. The following year, Ashley became the Assistant Principal at Bella Romero Academy. While serving as the Assistant Principal, Ashley began working on her doctorate and received her Doctorate of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver in 2020. That same year, Ashley moved into the role of Principal at Bella Romero Academy.

Ashley grew up in Greeley, attended Greeley schools, and is passionate about the Greeley/Evans community. Ashley has two children: Aryssa, attends the University of Northern Colorado, and AJ, who attends Greeley West High School. She enjoys spending time with her kids, attending various athletic events when not working, and is always in the middle of a good book.