Robert Garber
It is with a great deal pleasure that I welcome you to the Spring 2006 semester at Pierce.
Whether you are a new, continuing or returning student, I hope you will find our beautiful campus and outstanding programs to be both engaging and fulfilling.
Pierce College is a unique institution and I urge you to take advantage of the opportunities available to help you to set and reach your goals.
This semester is very special for me too since I am returning to Pierce as the college president after being away nearly 10 years. Before leaving, I spent 19 years working at Pierce helping students succeed.
I began my career as a counselor in 1977 before taking on other assignments which gave me opportunities to work in a variety of campus positions.
Through all of my years at Pierce, I was constantly impressed with the quality and commitment of our faculty and staff and the special regard students and our community felt for Pierce.
Now, returning home to Pierce, it is still clear that our college remains an exceptional learning institution that has grown from its agricultural roots into one of the leading community colleges in the country.
I am very pleased to be part of that tradition and to return to help lead Pierce into the future. As you travel around the campus, I hope you will shortly see the beginnings of a significant period of development.
As evident in the many projects already completed, Pierce is pursuing an exciting building program that will add new science and student services buildings, and renovate existing facilities to take advantage of the newest technologies for student learning.
Our recently completed College Services Building with its offices, bookstore and Freudian Sip caf√© is an indication of what’s to come.
We are also very excited to have a new Orange Line stop at Pierce which gives all of us the option to escape from crowded roads and expensive gas.
Also of immediate interest to students are efforts underway to expand classes and services so that Pierce’s opportunities better fit your busy and complex lives.
With more courses at more times, and new online services, we are continually attempting to help you efficiently reach your goals.
Pierce is also hiring new faculty who will be bring innovative ideas and techniques into our classrooms.
In addition, we are expanding our efforts to build involvement with our community through expanded outreach to high schools, and an exciting agricultural education center and farm store that will soon become valuable new community resources.
With all of these changes on the horizon, Pierce retains its reputation as one of California’s most prestigious and innovative community colleges.
Pierce College is committed to attracting the best faculty and staff, offering exceptional programs and services, and supporting students’ educational and personal success.
I am thrilled to be a part of this developing landscape and I welcome your active participation in this exciting process.
Welcome to Pierce College!
Robert Garber, president