Heather Bellerud – Guided Pathways Specialist, Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts

Heather Bellerud (she/her) joined the staff at SFCC in December 2016, shortly after moving to Spokane with her family. She has a broad range of experience in education and the arts; she has worked as a cultural and natural resource interpretive ranger for the National Park Service in New Mexico and Arizona, taught art and environmental education in Colorado and Western Washington, and managed museum education programming for school and family audiences. Heather is an artist, a gardener, a bit of a bookworm, and a cargo bike nerd. She is happy to be serving as a Guided Pathways Pathways Specialist in the Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts Pathway.

Ashley DeMoville became the dean of visual and performing arts in July of 2023. Dr. DeMoville brings more than 20 years of experience working in the theater and more than 10 years of experience as an arts educator and leader in higher education. She came to SFCC in 2017 and has served as the Director of Drama and Chair for the Department of Communication Arts, Modern Languages, Film, and Drama. She is also active in multiple regional theater organizations and is currently Co-Chair of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Region VII.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of Hawai'i at Mnoa, a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Victoria University of Wellington, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

Karli Fairbanks – Graphic Design Instructor

Karli Fairbanks joined the faculty at Spokane Falls Community College in 2023. She is an artist, designer, muralist, business owner, arts organizer, and creative director.

She graduated from the SFCC Graphic Design program in 2006 and has since worked at several advertising agencies and run her own successful freelance art business. She has created work for national clients like Netflix, Lululemon and Cliff Bar while also making her creative mark around the Spokane area doing branding for small businesses and events. Her specific expertise is in digital illustration, lettering, and branding.

Sean Finley – Graphic Design Instructor

Sean Finley joined Spokane Falls Community College in 2022. His areas of expertise include motion design and multimedia.

When his previous career as a bicycle messenger in Seattle came to an end, Sean was able to attend SFCC through the worker retraining program and graduated with an AAS in Graphic Design. Sean has received multiple accolades for his work including a national Telly Award.

Since Sean began his design career in 2006, he has worked as an in-house designer, freelance contractor, and agency employee. He is also an accomplished filmmaker.

Richard Kaminski – Graphic Design Instructor

Richard Kaminski joined the faculty of the graphic design program at Spokane Falls Community College in 2011 and currently teaches web development. He earned his master's degree in computer science in 1990 and worked as a consultant writing software applications and developing databases for companies such as Adobe, Eddie Bauer and Safeco Insurance. Rick began working as a freelance web developer in 2008 when he established his own company, Capstone Web Services.

John Mujica – Graphic Design Instructor

John Mujica joined Spokane Falls Community College in 2018. John teaches print production, multimedia technology, and self-paced classes on a variety of subjects. He also oversees students’ cooperative education experience.

As a United States Navy veteran, John used his GI Bill to graduate with an AAS in Graphic Design from Spokane Falls Community College and a BFA in Visual Communication Design from Eastern Washington University (EWU). John received a local, regional, and national award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) for his senior thesis at EWU and was voted "Outstanding Student Graduate.”

John began his graphic design career in 2008 and has worked for a variety of advertising and design agencies in Spokane. He specializes in branding, logo design, and general art direction. Together with the AAF Spokane, he co-founded Collective Campout, an annual weekend professional retreat to propel a sense of community of professional and personal growth within the industry. As a Campout committee member, he has also led art direction and overseas brand integrity for multiple years.

Katie Peterson – Instructional Tech, CBE Lab

Katie Peterson joined the staff of the Visual and Performing Arts division in December 2022. She loves learning and has three degrees to prove it! She earned her A.A. from SFCC, her B.A. in Studio Art from EWU, and her M.A. in English Literature and Writing from EWU. She was an English Instructor for 4 years.

In her current role, Katie assists students and faculty with the technology in the CBE Lab in building 19, where she assists students and supports learning in Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Digital Media Production, and Digital Filmmaking classes.

Her love of the arts, passion for helping students, and knack for technology all come together in this position. She feels so blessed to be back at the college where she started her educational journey. When she’s not working, she likes to watch TV, play piano, and cuddle with her two adorable cats, Freddie and Theodore.