By Eric Trent
Student success and teaching philosophies were oft-discussed topics during the Peninsula College Vice President of Instruction candidate forums held in the PUB conference room from Oct. 21 to Oct. 30.
The Vice President of instruction is responsible for directing academic programs and instructional delivery, essentially deciding which programs and classes Peninsula College will offer.
Six candidates visited campus seperately to take part in faculty and open forums where they were asked eight set- questions asked by Administrative Assistant and Vice President of Student Services Trisha Haggerty.
On Oct. 21, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Peninsula College Bruce Hattendorf, was the first candidate to be interviewed.
Hattendorf illustrated his open-mind- edness and how committed he is to Penin- sula College. “I’m really dedicated to the college, I like to implement innovations. I like to think outside the box and try new things,” Hattendorf said
Hattendorf also talked about his philosophy of education. “I like providing environment and structure for students to learn. We learn by doing, and we learn best in situations where it’s safe to fail. I want to give students opportunities and challenges,” Hattendorf said.
Next up was Presidential Fellow at Valencia College Kurt Ewen, whose forum was held on Oct. 22.
Ewen demonstrated his own educational philosophy. “I’m a philosopher by disposition. My philosophy of education is that education, first and foremost, is a process of discovery,” Ewen said.
When asked what unique opportunities Peninsula College has, Ewen stated: “The opportunity that a small place has is that a change in direction takes less time than a larger place.”
Sharon Buck, Dean of Instruction for Transportation and Applied Technologies at Lake Washington Institute answered questions on Oct. 23.
When asked about her management and communication style, Buck said: “I do a lot of managing of faculty. So, one thing I’m about is communication, and encouraging others to stay on target and on track.”
Buck was also asked about how she determines student success. “Student success is measured by the student. Another type is moving people from one level of
education to the next.”
Lori Keller, Associate Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences at McHenry County College, had her forum on Oct. 26. Keller defined her interpretation of student success.
“We want to encourage student success, not just because the college needs numbers, but because students really need those completions,” Keller said.
“Completion is something that em- powers increased success and confidence,” she said.
San Jose City College’s Language Arts Division Dean Keiko Kimura visited campus on Oct. 28 for her forum.
Kimura was asked how she evaluates student success. “Student success is very controversial. It’s almost become a dirty word.” Kimura said.
“The useful and meaningful conversations happen when we move away from the word success and move toward the word learning. Success is defined by the student, and we should be respecting that. What students are saying is important,” Kimura said.
Snow College’s Professor of Chemistry Dean Dan Black was the final candidate to visit campus. “My first role would be to know each faculty member well enough that I can support them. I wouldn’t be the administrator who sits in the ivory tower and doesn’t hear anyone’s voice,” Black said.
