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.

Ira Gardner – Photography and Filmmaking Instructor (Program Lead, Filmmaking)

Ira Gardner joined the photography faculty at Spokane Falls Community College in 1997. He majored in communication studies and journalism at Eastern Washington University and has pursued graduate studies in fine art, media theory and filmmaking at Vermont College and the New School University in New York. Ira has worked full time as a professional photographer since 1989 and was nationally certified as a commercial photographer by the Professional Photographers of America in 1995. He has served on the board of directors for the Professional Photographers of Washington and is currently chair of the Northwest Region of the Society for Photographic Education.

Ian LaBarge – Filmmaking/Film Instructor

Ian joined Spokane Falls Community College in 2024. 

Ian is a filmmaker and Instructor who focuses on telling grounded stories about people in a way that strives to bring more understanding and hope to those who watch. He aspires to uplift and encourage others to share their perspectives and stories through filmmaking. Ian has spent most of his life in Kentucky, however, being born in Washington he is excited to bring his teaching and storytelling to this new but familiar region.

Collin Masteller – Instructional Tech, Photography and Filmmaking

Collin Masteller graduated from the digital media production program at Spokane Falls Community College and joined the photography program team in 2017. As a student, he was the treasurer of the Photo Arts Club and photo editor for The Communicator. He filmed groups and events around Spokane, including Spokane Film Project and The 50 Hour Slam Inland Northwest Film Competition and Festival.

Tegra Nuess – Photography Instructor
She/Her/Hers

Tegra Nuess joined the faculty in the photography department at Spokane Falls Community College in 2024. She holds a BA in Art/Photography and French from Connecticut College. After 18 years running a commercial and editorial photography business in Seattle and teaching two years of Studio Lighting at the Photo Center NW, Tegra has returned to Spokane. Continuing to specialize in commercial lifestyle, travel, and adventure, she teaches multimedia storytelling, business of photography, and portfolio development.

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.

Melissa Rackham – Photography and Filmmaking Instructor

Melissa Rackham joined the photography faculty at Spokane Falls Community College in 2009. Previously, she taught at the University of Memphis. Melissa holds an MFA in photography from University of Memphis, a BA from Eastern Washington University, and an AA in photojournalism from Big Bend Community College. With professional experience as a photojournalist, studio owner, and fine art photographer, Melissa teaches alternative processes, photographic appreciation, and both analog and digital photography courses.

Erik Sohner – Photography and Filmmaking Instructor (Program Lead, Photography)

Erik Sohner joined the faculty in the photography department at Spokane Falls Community College in 1998. He teaches beginning and advanced application/theory and lighting classes in both studio and location environments. With over 25 years of professional experience, Erik operated his own studio and worked in commercial advertising and catalog photography for top studios in the region. He holds an AAS in photography from SFCC, a BA from the Brooks Institute, and an MFA in photography from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.