Wenatchee Valley College has hired several new faculty members for the 2026-2027 school year.
"WVC is delighted to welcome an extraordinary cohort of new faculty who bring enthusiasm, expertise, appreciation of the students we serve, and a desire to learn,” said Dr. Tod Treat, vice president of Instruction. “WVC was able to attract these talented folks from across the country, and we look forward to seeing how their talents and careers evolve in service to our students."
Dr. Allan Adem is the simulation lab manager and nursing faculty at WVC Omak. Originally from Cebu City, Philippines, he has more than a decade of experience in nursing education, academic administration, and clinical practice. Adem earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management, Master in Nursing with specialization in Maternal and Child Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southwestern University. Before joining Wenatchee Valley College, he held positions such as the assistant dean of Nursing and principal of the School of Midwifery at St. John General Hospital & College, Philippines. Adem was a professor in nursing at Southwestern University and the University of Cebu-Banilad. His clinical background involves medical-surgical, maternal-child, psychiatric/mental health, and community nursing practice. “As a new faculty member, I am excited to help prepare for the next generation of nurses and to be part of a college that is committed to student success and community engagement,” Adem said.
Hannah Barta is a math faculty member on the Wenatchee campus who will teach Beginning and Intermediate Algebra. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Central Washington University and an M.S. in Mathematics from Oregon State University, where she studied functional analysis applied to an aggregation equation. Before joining WVC, she spent five years at OSU and CWU, where she was a math instructor and managed tutoring programs. When she is not teaching, she enjoys playing with her cat Martha, who is also a popular photographic feature with her students.
"I am so excited to meet and build relationships with my new students,” Barta said. “I feel very fortunate to be here and be surrounded by like-minded faculty and staff who care so much about student success!"
Claudia Bovee is the new Teaching and Learning Librarian at WVC. Claudia has a career rooted in education and public service. “I love connecting people with resources and learning alongside the people I help,” Bovee said. She holds a Master of Library and Information Sciences from the University of Washington, a Secondary Teaching Certificate and bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Central Washington University, and an associate degree from WVC.
Previously, she served as Latino Services Manager for NCW Libraries, providing programming, staff training, and bilingual community outreach across five counties. Bovee developed partnerships with school districts and community organizations serving Latino communities, immigrants, English Language Learners, and other underserved populations. Her work included launching “Know Your Rights” resources and workshops in partnership with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, supporting English-language learning, and expanding diverse library programming. Prior to her role at NCW Libraries, she worked as a school librarian and English Language Arts teacher for the Eastmont School District.
As a WVC alumna and former employee, Bovee also worked with CAMP when the program launched in 2009 and, prior to that role, in the Advising and Testing Center. “Coming back to WVC feels like coming back home. I am proud to return to an organization with such an impact on people’s lives, including that of my own family,” Bovee said. "I think human connection is more important than ever in a digital age, and I am excited to be on campus with staff, faculty, and students and collaborating to help people reach their goals. I look forward to helping students see the library as a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone—and I’m also looking forward to reading some new books myself!"
WVC alum Kate Brien is a nursing faculty member at WVC Omak. "I am truly excited and honored to join Wenatchee Valley College and this team of skilled, compassionate nurses and educators who share a deep commitment to transforming rural health care,” Brien said. “Together, through innovative curriculum, meaningful clinical experiences, and strong community partnerships, we have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of nurses and make a lasting difference in the communities we serve."
Anne Deines, an accounting faculty member, has 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and organizational leadership. She has served as CFO and director of finance for organizations in Washington state, Texas, and California. Deines was a course developer and lecturer at the University of Washington Continuum College for Grant Management and Budget and Finance for Nonprofits. Originally from Texas, Deines has spent the last 15 years between Texas and Washington state, and she moved to Wenatchee four years ago. "I’m looking forward to working with students in the community to learn the language of business, build strong skills in accounting, and prepare for their future careers,” Deines said.
She has an MBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Compensation and Benefits Certificate from eCornell.
Michael Freimuth is an economics faculty member. He grew up in Wenatchee and attended Western Washington University and the University of Washington. Freimuth briefly taught at the University of Puget Sound and at Seattle Central College before joining WVC.
Connor McCranie, who is from Denver, Colo., is a math faculty member. During his first quarter at WVC, he is teaching precalculus and statistics. He recently received his PhD in mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2025, where he also taught and tutored math for eight years. “I have lots of experience teaching the entire calculus series all the way from precalculus through differential equations and beyond,” McCranie said. “This is my first year teaching at WVC, and I'm so grateful to contribute to this wonderful community in Wenatchee!”
Gustavo “Gus” Vargas is a new nursing faculty member. He will teach pharmacology and a health and illness class. Vargas grew up in Lake Chelan and has lived in Wenatchee for 13 years. Vargas is a proud WVC nursing alumnus, having graduated from both the ADN and BSN programs. He has been a nurse for eight years and has practiced primarily in the Wenatchee Valley for most of that time. “This is my first-year teaching, and I am really excited to see where this new adventure takes me!” Vargas said.
As WVC’s full-time welding instructor and program coordinator, Becs Wells is excited to return to the community where her own educational journey began. Through WVC’s Running Start program, she discovered opportunities that shaped the direction of her education and career, earning an AAS in high school before continuing her education with a BFA in Metal Sculpture from Montana State University, a welding certificate from Dunwoody College of Technology, and an MS in Career and Technical Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stout. After 11 years away, including time in Montana, Italy, and Minnesota, she is excited to give back to the community that helped launch her career. With four years of college teaching experience and six years working in the trades, Wells loves sharing the endless possibilities of welding—from art and fabrication to construction and inspection. Her goal is to inspire curiosity and lifelong learning while giving students the skills and knowledge to build their own futures in this ever-evolving field.
About Wenatchee Valley College
Founded in 1939, Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington and delivers relevant, innovative, and experiential educational opportunities for thriving and healthy communities. Learn more at www.wvc.edu.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.
Learn more at www.wvc.edu/publicdisclosure.
Published October 6, 2026
Media Contacts:
Dr. Tod Treat, Vice President of Instruction, 509-682-6605, ttreat@wvc.edu
Marcine Miller, Executive Director, Public Information Office, 509-682-6582, mmiller2@wvc.edu