Meet our faculty!

Michelle Crary

Adjunct Associate Professor, Career & Technical Education

Dr. Michelle Crary holds a Bachelor’s in Business Education;  Masters and Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University.  Her dissertation was, “Multimedia-based animated demonstrations as an instructional strategy for teaching computer software procedures.” 

Michelle is currently a CTE Coordinator for Gilbert Public Schools. She has spent over 20 years in CTE in several capacities including, high school teacher, adjunct faculty (community college and university levels), staff development, and assessment & accountability coordinator.  Michelle presents at state and national conferences, review federal grants, serves on state and national committees, and has several publications.  Michelle was awarded the Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education, Inspiration Award,  I’m [IN]fluential Leadership Award, Outstanding Research Paper by Delta Pi Epsilon, Technology Teacher of the Year, and been selected by her students for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  

She has delivered professional development to teachers and administrators on interpreting and evaluating assessment data, program data, and performance measures. Michelle has done extensive work in data analytics, including extracting using SQL and analyzing data in R and Excel, and creating visualizations and dashboards in Tableau, and LookerStudio. Michelle is talented at taking large initiatives and breaking them down into manageable tasks for teachers.

Personally, Michelle is a perpetual learner and enjoys learning new things, whether it’s from a book, taking a class, or learning on her own.  In her free time, she can be found reading, crocheting, working on home improvement projects, or camping with her husband.

Dr. Vaughn E. Croft

Dr. Vaughn E. Croft has Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Career and Technical Education.  Both Bachelor and Masters degrees were awarded at Illinois State University and the Doctorate was awarded at Virginia Polytechnic and State University.  Vaughn has been teaching for NAU since 1990 and enjoys the course and meeting students.  He serves as Business Community Liaison for the Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center (FGAJCC). Vaughn is a communicator and builds partnerships for FGAJCC which is an organization that has a reputation of outstanding Education and Training programs with exceptional business practices.  He enjoys working for the Center where he can engage with people and conduct public relations.

Vaughn has a work history in youth education and training at the secondary and post-secondary levels.  He serves on the Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Executive Committee, Chairperson of the Youth Council. He is also a consultant for a training company. He has been awarded numerous awards for teaching and leadership and holds life memberships in professional organizations.  Vaughn and his wife Concepcion celebrated 50 years in December 2022, with their two adult children and many family and friends.  Vaughn enjoys home maintenance and maintaining family vehicles.

Nicole Hampton

Associate Teaching Professor, Career and Technical Education

Professor Hampton has been faculty in the College of Education (COE) at Northern Arizona University for 22 years and the CTE area coordinator for 13. In this capacity she is responsible for course design and delivery at the undergraduate and graduate levels, student advising and mentoring, service activities, leadership, program assessment and reporting, and administration for the CTE degrees. NAU has BSED and MED degrees, undergraduate and graduate certificates, and a minor. Professor Hampton’s work includes program articulation with the statewide community college system, program outcome development and curriculum mapping, and assessment for the programs. Professor Hampton is a member of ACTE (Post-Secondary Advisory Group) and ACTEAZ (Board Member – University Representative). An award recognized educator (COE Teacher of the Year 2022-2023 | NAU Faculty Excellence in Teaching & Learning 2022-2023 |Association for Career & Technical Education 2021 Postsecondary Educator of the Year) she is passionate for ensuring student success for all learners.

Lisa Patrick

Lecturer, Career and Technical Education

Lisa Patrick is full-time faculty in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. She has previously been an adjunct instructor in the CTE program as well as full-time faculty in Nuclear Medicine Technology programs at GateWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ. and Keiser University in Lakeland,
FL.

Lisa received an AAS in Nuclear Medicine from GateWay Community College, a BS in Radiologic Sciences
(CT emphasis) from Adventist University, and an MEd in CTE from NAU. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare at NAU. She maintains her license in Nuclear Medicine and CT and certifications in
Nuclear Cardiology, PET, and Radiation Safety. She is active in the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Quality Committee and on the National Council of Representatives (NCOR). In addition to teaching, she continues to work part-time in her field, performing nuclear cardiology and cardiac PET examinations.

Lisa lives in Mesa, AZ with her husband and their three cats. She is an avid hockey fan and is on a quest
to attend a game in every NHL and AHL arena. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, attending concerts,
and playing card and board games. Her True Colors profile is blue, green, orange, gold.