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Upcoming Chancellor puts students first Visually impaired dial the news |
Upcoming Chancellor strives to put students first, and to hear concerns of under-represented groupsDr. Fred Gaskin, who will begin as Chancellor on July 1, has vowed to dedicate himself to the success of the 234,000 students who attend The Maricopa Community Colleges each year. Also at the top of his list: advancing the interests of women and minorities, empowering employees, and extensive outreach to ensure that under-represented groups are heard and involved in education issues.
“I pledge my total commitment to enhancing student success and continuing the legacy of one of the finest community college districts in the nation,” he said upon learning he had been selected to lead the Maricopa Community College District. The five-person Governing Board unanimously elected Dr. Gaskin this spring. He takes over for Dr. Raúl Cárdenas, Chancellor for 1999-2000; and for Dr. Paul A. Elsner who retired last June after 22 years of leadership. He has signed a four-year contract. “Dr. Gaskin will do an excellent job. We are fortunate to have him,” Governing Board President Gene Eastin says. “He is highly qualified and highly experienced.” For the past six years, Dr. Gaskin has been president and superintendent of Cerritos College in suburban Los Angeles. He has developed a reputation for teacher training, economic development, and for technological advancements. In addition, he has led Cerritos College to high rates of success for Hispanic students. The college is ranked fourth in enrollment, and tenth in graduation rates, of Hispanic persons.
Joyce Kelly, president of the Associated Students of Cerritos College agreed. “Dr. Gaskin has always treated me with respect, and that’s the way he treats all students. . . he always has time for their problems.” Bob Chester, president of the Cerritos Faculty Senate, said Dr. Gaskin treats faculty well, too. “He has been supportive of faculty and has always been responsive to their concerns.” Meanwhile, a University of Texas study of community college chief executive officers has referred to Dr. Gaskin as a “transformational leader.” Among such recent transformations: a program to help produce top quality elementary and secondary teachers in California – a state experiencing a severe teacher shortage. How? Dr. Gaskin turned to an innovative and well-known math professor who had co-directed a math and science program for 55 area schools. He appointed the teacher, Sue Parson, as founding director of the Teacher TRAC – a training academy. Those admitted to the academy spend two years at Cerritos where they participate in up to 80 hours of pre-student-teaching work in elementary classrooms. After that, they enter the teacher education program at California State University Long Beach. In this joint program, participants earn a baccalaureate degree and credentials to teach several subjects. The governor of California has hailed the successful partnership. In another example of his support for partnerships, this CEO is chair of both the Gateway Cities Partnership – a regional economic-development collaborative representing 27 cities in L.A. County – and Tech Ed 2000, a national conference of the California Community College Foundation held in March in Palm Springs, Ca. Meanwhile, Dr. Gaskin is familiar with minority issues. Cerritos College is 45 percent Hispanic and 75 percent minority. This lifelong educator told The Maricopa Community College District Governing Board that he looks forward to advancing the causes of all groups. “The essence of leadership is vision. Through involving others – their dreams, their hopes and concerns – that vision is honed and has purpose,” he says. |
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Louise Gacioch
last updated: 4/05/00
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