Greetings all,

In the last cut of “What’s On My Mind?” I reflected on the good work of PVCC faculty and staff in building community with new students. During my convocation remarks in August I reflected on four leadership themes that will guide my work this year – leadership for: student success, community building, bringing learning alive, and positive social change. Today I’d like to comment on the reason why we are all here – student success.

Several weeks ago, while reviewing a number of operational issues with Sue VanBoven, she casually mentioned how important it is for the college to all be working towards the same outcome. While neither of us had to say outright what she meant, we both knew – student success. So in the midst of air conditioning outages, adapting to SIS, and the general chaos of startup, here are some examples of leadership for student success made real!

I wandered by Patri Mays’ office and learned that she was taking charge of a newly revised assessment plan for all of the CIS 105 sections – an assessment strategy that would truly help us learn what students were learning and ways to make the learning experience even better. Later that day, I overheard David Barney, PVCC cross country coach, while meeting with his athletes under the shade of a large tree on central campus talking about goal setting and his high level of expectations for the training schedule. At the end of the week, Hank Mancini showed me his lookout over the building site of the new life sciences building. I left my conversation with Hank not so much impressed with the progress of the newly poured footings, but his genuine excitement about the student learning that is sure to occur in the creatively designed student pods jutting from the east side of the building. I know there are many, many other examples of leadership for student success – my thanks to all of PVCC for keeping this at the forefront even during start-up.

In the next issue of “What’s On My Mind?” I’d like to catch up on the recent good work we have been doing related to external community building. As a teaser, I’d be remiss not to comment on the 4th Annual Puma Golf Classic. First of all thanks to the entire Athletics Department for their stellar work in organizing the event and to all of the PVCC faculty and staff who played and contributed. It looks like the net income for student scholarships will be at least $10,000. And yes, Mr. Patterson’s previous reporting of my foursome’s finish is true and admittedly I was the weak link, never the less supportive of the team of Ken Clarke, Corey Loucy and Andy Helman.

Have a great week.

Regards,

Paul Dale, Ed.D.
Interim President

Greetings all,

Welcome to the first cut of What’s On My Mind. As I mentioned in last week’s News From the Front, over the next several months, we will be approaching internal communications in a little different format. News From the Front will be an every other week publication focusing on College news that has not otherwise been reported. Please send stories and news of interest to the Institutional Advancement office for inclusion. What’s On My Mind will come from me on alternate weeks and will include personal musings – thoughts, observations, sights and sounds from around the College.  Both publications, in their unique way, will serve to keep us all informed on issues and events of interest.

So, what’s on my mind this week? Since I returned to the interim role on August 1, I’ve had the privilege of providing a greeting at a number of student events including three iStartSmart orientation sessions, Early College student orientation, Honors orientation, Teacher Education orientation, and student-athlete orientation. There were over 800 students in attendance at these events. What impressed me most was the genuineness, caring, and high level of commitment towards student success displayed by the faculty and staff presenting to our new students. They spoke from the heart, relayed a sense of encouragement, and articulated a culture of high expectations. While the sessions were informative, more importantly they were inspirational with a message that PV is a college where students will be challenged and supported. These sessions truly represent the very best in community building for students – one of the first steps towards success.

I’d also like to thank everyone who worked long hours this week to welcome our students back to campus. The KSC building was the busiest I’ve ever seen and the staff did a great job serving students. Faculty and staff also served students in multiple welcome week tents and stations. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming environment and a great first week of school.

Regards,
Paul Dale, Ed.D.
Interim President