Reza Gostar
Tucked away in a faculty office behind the Freudian Sip sits Michael Cornner.
Changing the college and developing a promotional effort that resulted in an 51 percent enrollment boost are one of the many legacies he will leave behind when he retires this July.
Cornner started his career at Pierce in 1974 as a journalism and photography teacher, which included advising The Roundup. He has taught practically every class Pierce offers related to the field of journalism.
His wife, Susan, who is now retired, was also a professor and newspaper advisor at College of the Canyons.
They have both received “Journalism Professor of the Year” honors from the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Also, he was faculty president of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) and Southern California president in the mid ’70s.
“JACC is a wonderful organization to test your skill, personality and how you perform under pressure,” said Cornner. “I was very proud to be associated with it.”
Although currently working in the field of public relations and marketing, Cornner considers himself foremost a journalist, having worked for the Simi Valley Enterprise and the Daily News.
“Journalism is my life,” he said. “I got interested in it in high school…The skills I have learned have been incredible.”
When Darroch “Rocky” Young, L.A. Community College District chancellor, was president of Pierce he knew, that Cornner’s expertise in the field of public information would make him the perfect person to help build the current marketing and public relations program.
“One of my mandates was to increase enrollment…and he did a great job,” said Young.
According to Young, both he and Cornner, then a dean of academic affairs, worked together to craft a marketing campaign. Enrollment increased from 12,000 to 19,000 students in a three-year period.
Young acknowledges that a “major factor” in its success was Cornner’s comprehensive understanding of marketing and education.
This spring, marketing helped Pierce become the only college out of the nine in the district, to increase its enrollment. Part of the approach was to cultivate an image for Pierce that would have wider appeal and accommodate students’ diverse needs.
“People are looking for new approaches. They are looking for things that are innovative,” commented Cornner.
Besides directing the public information program and advertising campaigns, such as the new commercial for summer classes that will be aired on the Music Television (MTV) channel among others, Cornner also advises top administrators.
“Hopefully he will keep some level of availability [during] his retirement time,” said Robert Garber president of Pierce.
“He is a person that many people come to for counsel. He is very knowledgeable,” said Doreen J. Clay, public information officer.
Currently there is no replacement in mind for Cornner’s position. Since, the spot is not permanent and he is an instructor special agreement (ISA).
Clay will supervise the responsibilities of the position during the transition. Cornner has the utmost confidence in Clay’s capabilities and will be “on call” if his assistance is needed.
“It would take at least two full- time people to replace Mike,” said Clay. “He accomplishes more in one hour that most people can in a week.”
Cornner has five children and two grandchildren.
His son, Ryan, has a master’s degree from the USC and will be teaching as an adjunct in the psychology department. Another son Scott Hartford, is a former Pierce student and former editor in chief of The Roundup.
Retirement plans for Cornner include spending time with his wife, playing bridge, golfing, serving as president of his homeowners association and working with his church.
“Mike is tremendous asset for the college,” said Garber. “His leaving will be a huge loss.”