Laura Gonzalez, Spring 2009 Assistant Managing Editor
Two new deans were appointed on Aug. 11 and Sept. 1, respectively, at Pierce College, according to the Vice President of academic affairs, Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh.
Jose Luis Fernandez, Dean of Career and Technical Education, worked as Dean of Vocational Education at Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif., for ten years. Barbara Anderson, Dean of Academic Affairs, has been working at Pierce College for seven years, first as a teacher and then, as the chairwoman of the speech department.
The career and technical education department creates relationships for the college with the industry and oversees federal grants, “One of my goals is to have an outstanding work relation with faculty. I want to continue to achieve world class cutting edge career and technical education programs. I also want to achieve a high level of student success in the different programs.” Fernandez said.
Fernandez has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology and two masters’ degrees in international business administration and Spanish. Before coming to Pierce, he was also a teacher at Cal State Monterrey Bay in the school of business.
The academic affairs department works with over ten different programs in the college including athletics, diction studies, child development, history, sociology, criminal justice economics, among others, ” I see my roll as an advocate for my departments and to help them do what they need to do to meet student’s needs. Ultimately help students be successful here and beyond if they decide to transfer or start their career after Pierce.” Anderson said.
Anderson was also the Director of the honors program before she accepted her new position as Dean of academic affairs. Anderson used to be a sign language interpreter. She has a bachelor’s degree in deaf studies and a master’s degree in communication.
According to Abu-Ghazaleh, one of the most important factors in the selection process of the new deans was their teaching experience, “For both of them one thing that always drew my attention is that they both have had a considerable teaching experience as well. For a dean who is working with a lot of faculty, is good to know what the classroom is like and to understand what the students experience in the classroom. That for me is very important. Faculty respects a colleague that has spent a good amount of time in the classroom.” Abu-Ghazaleh said.
Colleges Deans are in charge of supervising and work with the faculty to make sure the students are getting the education they need. They are also in charge of creating programs that will help students succeed in the careers they choose.
One of the aspects that Abu-Ghazaleh expects from the Deans is having a close relationship with the faculty. He believes that more than a supervisor, the dean of the department should provide guidance and work together with the faculty to achieve student success, “The key function of any dean is to provide leadership without overly directing the activities of Faculty.” Abu-Ghazaleh said.
When asked about what they most like about Pierce College both Deans agree that the working environment here is one of the best ones they have ever experienced, “The students are great here. The students here are really motivated. I like the diverse population. I like that people come from all over the planet. It is an exciting campus to be on and people that come to Pierce are interested in their future and trying to achieve their dreams and so their driven. “Anderson said.
Fernandez, who is new to Pierce, said that believing in the students is the most important tool any professor has, “My dream is to make sure our students achieve their dreams. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I was a teacher. I believe in the students I want the students to believe in themselves and to develop the skills to make them achieve their dreams and become successful.” Fernandez said.