Faculty and Staff
Department Chair | Dept. Administrative Aide | Full-time Faculty | Part-time Faculty
Department Chair
Email: Michael.harding@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7759
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HS 181
Biography
Born in New York, but raised in Texas, Dr. Michael P. Harding holds a BA from the University of North Texas (1999), and MA degrees in philosophy and politics from the University of Dallas (2004 and 2007). Writing on Nietzsche's political philosophy, he earned his PhD from the University of Dallas (2013). His research interests can broadly be described as the history of philosophy - especially Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke and Nietzsche, as well as the American Founders and Progressives. He recently co-edited Socrates in the Cave: On the Philosopher's Motive in Plato (Palgrave, 2018). He has been teaching philosophy at Montgomery College since 2013. His hobbies include reading, playing music, and traveling.
Educational Background
BA, University of North TexasMA, Philosophy & Politics, University of Dallas
PhD, University of Dallas
Department Administrative Aide
Full-time Faculty
Email: Carla.naranjo@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2241
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HS 178
Biography
Carla Isabel Naranjo is a Spanish Professor on the Germantown campus. She holds a
BA in Political Science with a concentration in Latin America from the College of
Notre Dame of Maryland (1991), a Master of Science in Spanish Language and Culture
from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (2005), a Graduate Certificate in Spanish
Interpretation and Translation from American University in Washington, D.C. (2005)
and a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations from Notre Dame of
Maryland University’s School of Education.
She has developed Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) curriculum in
her Spanish courses since 2015 by collaborating with faculty members from universities
in El Salvador. Additionally, she serves as the co-coordinator of the Global Classrooms-COIL
Faculty Fellowship at Montgomery College. Her academic interests include the impact
of COIL on community college students, Open Educational Resources (OERs) for Spanish,
and immigration trends from Central American countries to the United States.
Before teaching, Carla was a labor organizer for over 10 years, organizing Spanish-speaking
immigrants living and working in Texas, California, and Washington, D.C. In her free
time, Carla enjoys exercising in the early morning hours and spending time with her
daughter, Reina de la Paz.
Educational Background
BA, Political Science, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore, MDMS, Spanish Language and Culture, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Graduate Certificate in Spanish Interpretation and Translation, American University, Washington, D.C.
Ph.D. Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Email: joe.thompson@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7751
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HS 108
Biography
Born and raised in northeastern New Jersey, Dr. Joseph C. Thompson holds a BA in history
from East Stroudsburg University (1983), an MA in history from Kent State University
(1986) and a PhD in history from the University of Florida (1995). His research interests
include antebellum politics, African American history, the Civil War and Reconstruction,
and the Gilded Age. He has been teaching US history at Montgomery College since 2000.
In his spare time, Joe enjoys playing golf, reading, and rooting for the New York
Yankees.
Educational Background
BA, History, East Stroudsburg University
MA, History, Kent State University
PhD, History, University of Florida
Part-time Faculty
Email: james.furgol@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7766
Biography
From 2012 to today, I have taught HIST 114, 116, 117, 190, 200 and 201. I am a generalist in modern world history (1500-present), but regardless of the course content, my goal is to connect the past to the present, so students have a better understanding of today’s global community.Educational Background
AA, General Studies, Montgomery College
BA, History, College of Wooster
MA, US History, College of Wooster
MA, US/UK History, University of Maryland Baltimore County