School of Health Sciences & Education

Gary Plunkett
Dean of Health Sciences and Education

gplunkett@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: KINE 102C

Sarah Fry
Director of Nursing and Allied Health

sfry@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: BNC 4

Andree Pacheco
Director of Kinesiology & Athletics

apacheco@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: KINE 102B

Dianne Russom
Director of McCarthy Childcare Center

drussom@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: CDC

Natalie Holland
Administrative Assistant, Kinesiology and Athletics

nholland@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: KINE 102

Lauren Robinson
Substitute Athletics Program Assistant

lrobinson@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: KINE 102

Vincent Gandrillon
Administrative Assistant, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Early Childhood

vgandrillon@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: BNC 9

Elena Mijarez
Nursing Programs Assistant

emijarez@collegeofthedesert.edu
Office: BNC 9


Health Sciences and Education includes Nursing, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Childhood Development & Education, and Athletics programs/courses. These educational pathways include both theoretical instruction on campus and clinical experience in local facilities.

Use links at left for more specific information about Nursing programs, the Health Sciences degree, CDE, and Kinesiology/Athletics.

Health Sciences does not offer medically related technician (surgical, dental, X-ray, ultrasound, etc.) or therapist type courses at this time.

  • The McCarthy Child Development and Training center serves children 12 months to 5 years old. It is state funded providing care for school hours as well as breakfast, lunch, and/or snack depending on the hours of care. Parents must provide income eligibility and need of services. Please call 760-862-1308 for more information.

  • If any student feels they are being treated unfairly, there is a grievance procedure outlined in the college catalog. Visit Student Life/Rights/General Complaint​​​​​​​​​