START Program
Faculty and Staff
Phil Jones
Clinical Instructor/START Technology & Research Instructor
Office: Clinical Instructor/START Technology & Research Instructor
Professional Work Experience
- Advanced Occupational Specialist (AOS) certified
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Management /Master’s Degree in Organizational Management
- 16 years experience in Postsecondary Education
Career Highlights
- At Idaho State University, I helped improve student retention by implementing the Early Alert System, providing targeted support to at-risk students. Led workshops and advising sessions to guide Career and Technical Education students from application to graduation.
- At Lone Star College-Cy-Fair, revamped the New Student Orientation, reducing advising wait times to zero. Developed tech solutions to streamline appointment scheduling, boosting productivity and enhancing the student experience.
- At Ashford University, I helped create Military Payment Plans and Tuition Assistance SOPs, significantly lowering student dropout rates and improving departmental performance.
- In the United State Navy, I helped reduce new sailor training time by 80% through revamped orientation.
Favorite Professional Experience
Starting in August 2023, I transitioned from a 15-year career as an Academic Advisor to the role of a Clinical Instructor. This shift brought about significant challenges, requiring me to enhance my listening skills, actively seek feedback, and be prepared to adapt my teaching strategies immediately. I found immense value in the constructive criticism from students, which allowed me to refine my approach and better meet their diverse needs. Their positive feedback was incredibly rewarding and motivated me to continue evolving. Embracing an open and honest teaching style, I acknowledged that each student learns differently, which helped me address various learning needs more effectively. This past year has been my favorite experience because it pushed me to critically evaluate my teaching methods and adapt to new challenges, making the transition both fulfilling and transformative.
“A Little about me…”
I’ve been happily married to my wonderful wife Emily for 14 years, and we have a delightful 6-year-old daughter, Adeline, who’s starting Kindergarten this year! Since April 2018, I’ve been working at Idaho State University, and I’ve come to love living in Pocatello after having lived in vibrant cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Houston. I’m passionate about playing tennis and actively participate in competitive leagues through USTA. When I’m not on the court, I cherish spending time with my family, especially during our "glamping" adventures in our travel trailer.
Shanon Kaneko
START Counselor
Office: Office: Roy F. Christensen Building Room 372B
Professional Work Experience
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology/Master of Counseling Degree in Student Affairs Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor in Idaho (LPC)
- 15 years of experience working in a university setting
- Academic Skills & Peer Advising Instructor
- Academic Advising
- Mental Health Counseling
- Career Counseling
Career Highlights
- Starting my teaching career as a graduate assistant in teaching and training peer advisors allowed me to move into teaching courses in Academic Skills, and Information Literacy & Inquiry. Spending 3 years as an ISU instructor was an enlightening experience, leading me to realize my true passion wasn’t in teaching, but in working as a student affairs professional.
- Overseeing the Guardian Scholars Program at ISU, a program that helps students who have experienced foster care, child welfare, or out-of-home placement achieve their educational goals.
- Coordinating the START Mentor program. Training and supervising peer mentors, who are former START students, as they support current START students in their academic success.
Favorite Professional Experience
As the START Counselor, I am living my favorite professional experience each day that I come to work and get the privilege to be part of the transformational experience that the ISU START Program provides. I have the unique opportunity of being witness to each student’s most tragic, joyful, and vulnerable moments, as they navigate the intersection between their academic and personal journey of identity, growth, and self-exploration while in college. I am particularly passionate about working with students who identify with historically marginalized populations.
A Little About Me…
Outside of work, you will most likely find me enjoying time with my wife, almost certainly pampering our handsome cat, Koda. My favorite past-times include spending quality time with my favorite people in life, cooking and trying out new recipes, soaking in hot pools, camping, fishing, four-wheeling, watching sports and movies, attending concerts, and playing board/card games.
Jackie Sedlacek, PhD
START Writing Instructor
Professional Work Experience
I’ve been an educator for around a decade. I’ve taught in the classroom from 6th grade through college and, for one memorable season, I worked as an educational “tour guide” with the CloseUp Program in Washington D.C. where I taught U.S. History and Government on the ground, so to speak.
Career Highlights
Writing and defending my PhD dissertation while pregnant and with a toddler under 2 years old was definitely a highlight and a challenge that I’m glad to have gone through!
Favorite Professional Experience
I’ve been teaching at ISU for about six years now, and hands-down the students in the START Program have been the most dedicated and interested students I’ve encountered.
A Little about me…
I’m a lot like each of our students here at the START Program. I didn’t go to college and finish my bachelors degree right out of high school, I waited until I was 30 to start and then I just didn’t stop! I’ve moved around a lot throughout my life; by the time I was 30 I’d lived in 30 different houses, most of which were on different sides of the country. I have two amazing (and adorable) kids and a supportive and loving husband (who also works at ISU). We’re a Bengal family and I’m happy to help each START student achieve their goals, no matter what challenges they might face!
Mike Serpa
Math Instructor
Office: Roy F. Christensen Building, 3rd Floor
Professional Work Experience
- Research and Development Engineer for RCA Corp
- Process Engineer for AMI Semiconductor (36 years of industry experience)
- Taught Math in the AE and START Programs since 2009
Career Highlights
- I was the program manager for a corporate installation of an SAP resource management program that took 8 months and cost $300,000. This included presenting training sessions to over 100 employees on 4 shifts. Each shift got 12 hours of training.
- I had week-long visits to wafer fabrication facilities in Japan and Belgium.
- I prepared and taught a 10-hour class on semiconductor physics to a group of equipment technicians who did not have a background in physics.
A Little About Me…..
- I have studied the piano for 25 years and have given two solo recitals
- I coached soccer for 12 years at the U14 through the U19 ages for both boys and girls at the high school and competitive level. I coached the ISU men’s club soccer team for one season.
- I trained for and completed the Great Potato Marathon in Boise, Idaho.
- I am a fly fisherman and tie my own flies.
- I have taken 3 horse packing trips into the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park to fish the Lamar River and Slough Creek.
Zoe Tassava
START Math Instructor
Professional Work Experience
- Pursuing Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with Geology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics Endorsements
- Tutoring, Academic Support, and Peer Mentoring Resource Center Senior Lead Tutor
- Animal-Style Kung Fu Martial Arts Instructor
Career Highlights
- Getting to watch the powerful transformation of education, alternative perspectives, and effective study tools in conquering learning challenges.
- Being a part in empowering adult learners from a variety of backgrounds overcome skill-related or mindset-induced obstacles to find success.
One of my most cherished professional experiences (that I get to experience again and again) is witnessing the 'Aha!' moment in a struggling student. It's the moment they realize that math (or writing, or chemistry, or physics!) isn't an insurmountable challenge but a subject they can conquer. This transformation of confidence and enthusiasm for learning is incredibly rewarding and underscores the profound impact of education.
A Little About Me...
I grew up in Pocatello, Idaho and, through graduating the START Program, began my own journey as a non-traditional student in my late twenties. Beyond the classroom, I pursue a variety of hobbies: fictional reading and writing, knitting and crocheting, training-in and teaching martial arts, and some camping and hiking. I have had a passion for learning and creating for as long as I can remember, which influenced me towards becoming a teacher. I firmly believe that the best teachers are lifelong learners, and I am dedicated to seeking innovative ways to make education engaging and transformative using the experiences and skills I've cultivated in my life.