The following presents a reorganized, single-place summary of the faculty who teach and support the automotive technology curriculum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. This overview keeps all names, academic credentials and the original years intact while grouping instructors by role and technical focus. Readers will find each educator’s title, degree and the areas they emphasize, from electric and hybrid vehicle systems to emission and drivability diagnostics. Throughout the text, specializations and institutional degrees are noted to help prospective students, employers and collaborators quickly match expertise to needs.
The roster includes full-time professors, assistant professors, instructors and those designated as emeriti. Where available, degree years are preserved exactly as in the original records. This presentation highlights how academic credentials combine with industry-focused skills such as vehicle diagnostics, powertrain and driveline systems, and automotive electronics to support both classroom learning and experiential education.
Core instructional faculty
At the leadership level, Michael Behrmann serves as Associate Professor and Chair, holding an M.S.Ed. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with the years 1995; 1988 recorded. Sean M. Boyle is an Associate Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1996; 1994, focusing on vehicle diagnostics, powertrain and driveline systems, and videography for remote and online education. Rodney Collard, Associate Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1990; 1986, brings strengths in steering and braking systems, alternative fuels and fabrication skills including welding.
Academic credentials and teaching emphasis
Andrew Croxell is listed as Associate Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2010; 2008, teaching Fixed Operations Management and technical communications. Benjamin Komnick, Assistant Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2004; 1999, focuses on electrical, electronic, and network systems. Blaine Heisner, Associate Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University, 2010; 2007, specializes in IC engines and electronic engine controls with work in alternative fuels. Kent E. Meckfessel, Assistant Professor, B.S, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1996; 1992, covers electronics, NVH and undercarriage systems including steering and braking.
Instructional specialists and applied technology staff
The instructional team also includes specialists who support lab instruction and shop operations. Todd Goro is an Assistant Instructor with a B.S. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1997, focusing on automotive computers, networking and data management. Todd Grant, Assistant Instructor, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1987; 2016, covers both fixed and variable operations plus IC engines and A/C systems. Anthony Heathcoat, Assistant Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2026; 2017, teaches electronics and drivetrain subjects.
Diagnostics, electrification and lab instruction
Alicia Johnston, Assistant Instructor, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2017; 2018, focuses on electric and hybrid vehicle topics as well as emission and drivability diagnostics and IC engine systems. Jessica L. Suda, Assistant Professor, M.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2018; 2015, emphasizes electric and hybrid vehicle technology and fault detection and isolation systems. Tim Janello, Associate Professor, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2008; 2005, brings expertise in diesel technology, emission testing and dynamometer work.
Other instructional contributors include Ken Pickerill, Associate Instructor, M.S.Ed., Indiana State University, 2008; 2013, working with emission and drivability diagnostics and NVH; Lana Rizzo, Assistant Instructor, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1988; 2018, on electronic and network systems; Vidya Sing-Gupta, Instructor, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1988; 1992, teaching technical communications and industry ethics; Eugene R. Talley, Associate Professor, M.B.A., Baker College, 2008; 2009, focusing on automotive business and management, careers and experiential education; and Andrew Tillman, Assistant Instructor, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2011; 2019, with emphasis on IC engines, A/C systems and diagnostics.
Emeriti faculty
The department honors several emeriti who remain part of its history: David W. Gilbert, Associate Professor, Emeritus, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2006; Jack Greer, Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1997; Lawrence E. Jeralds, Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1988; Joseph G. Kazda, Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1965; Jerry Simpson, Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S., Colorado State University, 1966; Ralph F. Tate, Associate Professor, Emeritus, M.S., Air Force Institute of Technology, 1991; and James E. White, Assistant Professor, Emeritus, B.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1961.
Collectively, this faculty list reflects a blend of classroom pedagogy, shop-level skill and administrative leadership. Key program strengths include automotive electronics, emission and drivability diagnostics, electric and hybrid vehicle instruction, and industry-focused experiential education. Prospective students and partners can use this consolidated profile to identify instructors whose credentials and practical emphases align with specific learning or collaboration goals.