Emily Kelley / Roundup
It’s official— the Brahmas have found their No. 1 fan in Barbara Anderson, dean of academic affairs.
“The faculty, staff and administrators are role models here on campus,” said Anderson. “We’re on a team as well.”
Anderson serves as one of six academic affairs deans, overseeing the Social and Behavioral Sciences departments, as well as Physical Education and Athletics.
A distance runner in high school, she said she’d always been interested in athletics. Though she “wasn’t a star,” Anderson said she enjoyed practice and the team spirit more then anything.
She came to Pierce 10 years ago as a part-time speech instructor, and served as speech communications chairperson before being appointed to dean two years ago.
Her interest in athletics led her to form “FANS (Faculty, Administrators, and Staff) in the Stands,” a club that encouraged people to come out and support the sports teams.
“Athletics teach leadership skills and character building,” said Anderson. “We want our student athletes to become well-rounded people, so I just wanted to show that we support them.”
Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, vice president of academic affairs, first met her when she was teaching at Moorpark College and he was her Dean more than 10 years ago.
He said that he “got to see what the students were getting” from Anderson, and that her encouragement really helped him to transition from being an engineer to a dean.
Abu-Ghazaleh accompanies Anderson to games from time to time, and uses the “Brahma Bell” she gave him for Christmas to show his support.
“It’s not like she’s twisting anyone’s arm, but it’s hard to say ‘no’ to her,” said Abu-Ghazaleh.
Not only does Anderson cheer for the teams, she also bakes brownies and other treats for the faculty and staff who show up, as well as the players.
“I think anything that boosts engagement on campus really helps the faculty and staff, as well as the students to see how much we really care about the institution,” said Abu-Ghazaleh.
A few years back, Anderson wanted to donate an old Volkswagon Beetle to the school to have it turned into the “Brahma Bug,” but a newer car was eventually used.
Anderson said she has fun even if the teams are losing, but wishes that more people would come out to support the athletes and coaches.
She attributes the lack of school spirit to the fact that Pierce College is a commuter campus, and that most students are too busy with jobs or schoolwork to attend.
“They’re missing out,” said Anderson.
She recalls a time when she was still a professor and offered to buy any student you came to the football game a hot dog.
“I came to the game with like $300 in my wallet, but no one took me up on my offer,” Anderson recalled with a laugh. “I just started asking strangers around me ‘Want a hot dog?'”
She thinks that by getting the faculty, staff and administrators involved, it would encourage more students to get involved as well.
Anderson said that teaming up with the Associated Student’s Organization to promote games might help. She has had many discussions with former Pierce president Robert Garber about organizing intramural sports or faculty and staff match-ups.
An avid football fan, Anderson’s office door is covered in both Pierce athletic gear and Green Bay Packer paraphernalia, including a poster of former Packer Brett Favre.
Anderson, who’s grandparents are from Wisconsin, has been a Packer fan for 25 years.
She remembers going to the see the Packers face the Oakland Raiders in Oakland Dec. 23. 2003. She’d been to numerous other games, including one at Lambeau Field, but this game was different.
“This was the day after his (Brett Favre’s) dad had passed away,” said Anderson. “I felt really emotional for him, but he played the best game with me in my Packer gear in the middle of Raider Nation.”
Outside of being a Brahma Booster, Anderson enjoys water skiing and has participated in marathons like the Los Angeles Marathon and the Disney Half Marathon, both of which she ran with fellow Pierce faculty and administrators.
Anderson’s philosophy on being a Booster is simple— just give a little extra.
“By giving our support, we’re helping the students and student athletes become great citizens,” said Anderson. “I think everyone can find little ways to contribute.
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