Whitener named Community and Technical College dean
May 27, 2011
907-455-2833
5/27/11
Veteran community college administrator Susan Whitener has been named dean of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College.
“It is an honor to be joining the energetic and dedicated students, faculty, and staff at UAF’s Community and Technical College,” says Whitener, who is currently an associate vice chancellor at West Hills Community College District in Central California. “I am looking forward to working with Fairbanks and surrounding communities in order to expand on the college’s growth and success.”
Whitener said she found the people in Fairbanks welcoming and was impressed by the quality of programs offered by faculty and staff members who are devoted to their students.
“UAF’s Community and Technical College provides exceptional programs for its students; the range and vitality of these programs is an inspiration to those of us who are passionate about the mission of community colleges,” she said. “Core academics at UAF’s CTC along with technical programs provide students a bridge for opportunities that are relevant to success in the 21st century.”
Whitener has spent more than 20 years in higher education. She worked from 1983 until 2000 at California State University, Fresno in a variety of professional and management positions. Her work for the last ten years at West Hills Community College District includes a variety of positions in distance education, technology, planning, curriculum, grant writing and management, and academic oversight. She currently heads eCampus, which is a distance education program servicing Central California. She is also completing a doctorate in education with an emphasis on community college leadership at Walden University.
“I'm pleased that Susan Whitener has accepted the position as dean of the UAF Community and Technical College,” said Bernice Joseph, vice chancellor of the College of Rural and Community Development. “She brings a wealth of experience in developing and managing programs at the community college level and implementing distance technologies. I am looking forward to working with her and the CTC faculty and staff as they position the school for the future.”
Michele Stalder has served as interim dean since May of 2010, when former dean Rick Caulfield left to become provost at the University of Alaska Southeast.. The search committee was comprised of university faculty and staff members, and members of the local community.
According to Cathy Winfree, committee chair, Whitener was recommended for the position based on her experience with and understanding of the community college mission.
“During her visit to Fairbanks she clearly recognized the importance of CTC to the Fairbanks community. We look forward to working with her to strengthen those relationships and take our college to the next level,” Winfree said.
UAF’s Community and Technical College offers 40 one-year certificate and two-year associate degree and specialized training programs and serves over 3,000 students every semester. With its community college mission, CTC serves the needs of a diverse student population, including first-generation college attendees, traditional and nontraditional students, military students and those seeking job training.
Whitener is expected to begin in July.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Bernice Joseph, vice chancellor, at 907-474-7143 or via email at bmjoseph@alaska.edu.
ON THE WEB: www.ctc.uaf.edu
MR/5-27-11/239-11