|
Barbara
Blanchard
Named VP
of Academic Affairs
Grossmont
College administrator brings varied experience
in
teaching, administrative roles
EL CAJON –
- Barbara Blanchard has been named vice president of academic affairs at
Grossmont College. Blanchard comes to Grossmont College from American River
College, one of four colleges in the Los Rios Community College District in
Sacramento, Calif.
Blanchard’s wide-ranging experience includes
teaching and learning, accreditation, workforce preparedness, educational
technology and business/industry partnerships.
As vice president of academic affairs, Blanchard
will provide leadership and direction to college instructional programs, the
library, and computer technology learning resources. She will play an important
role in student learning outcomes, institutional planning and coordination, and
accreditation.
Vice President Blanchard’s
challenges include working with the district team to find ways to serve the
growing student demand in the midst of severe funding cuts to community college
budgets due to the state
budget crisis. As economic forces drive more students to campus to train or
retrain for new careers and to complete general education requirements to
transfer to four-year universities and colleges, campus resources are under
enormous strain to accommodate the need.
“As I wrote in my application, it
was a joy to apply for this position,” Blanchard said. “It is a joy to be given
the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience toward creating a dynamic
and responsive environment for our students. It’s important to me not only to
develop good working relationships on campus, but to establish relationships
with the community, and respond to industry and labor market demands to ensure
that our students receive a high-quality education that gives them the best
possible preparation for the world in which they work and live.”
“Dr. Blanchard’s colleagues have described her
as extremely dedicated, intelligent, creative, ethical, analytical, organized,
and a great facilitator,” said Grossmont College President Sunita V. “Sunny”
Cooke. “To win accolades like this from people you work with is the highest form
of praise.
“This is a top leadership role within a dynamic
college. Working with faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the
community, Dr. Blanchard will play a significant role in creating a vision for
success and learning into the future. We couldn’t be more excited to have
Barbara on our talented Grossmont College team as the new academic year begins.”
Blanchard has worked at three community colleges in California, most
recently at American River College, where she served for more than 13 years as
the dean of computer science and information technology. She also served as an
interim vice president of student services.
Blanchard received her doctorate in educational
leadership from the University of California, Davis. She holds a master’s degree
in management information systems from the University of Arizona, and a
bachelor’s degree in human resources and family development from the University
of Illinois.
For
more information about Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, including how to
register online for fall semester classes, go to
www.gcccd.edu.
# # #
Intergovernmental Relations, Economic
Development, and Public Information
8800 Grossmont College Drive El Cajon, CA
92020-1799 Phone 619-644-7573 Fax 619-644-7924;
www.gcccd.edu |
Fall
'09 
