Dr. Francisco M. Arce, Interim VP of Academic Affairs at El Camino College

Francisco M. Arce is the interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at El Camino College in Torrance, California. El Camino enrolls about 25,000 students per semester and is one of the leading transfer institutions in Southern California. Additionally, the college offers 80 career and technical education programs. Arce also worked at Diablo Valley College as the Vice President of Academic Affairs before moving to S.J. Delta College as the Vice President of Instruction/Assistant Superintendent. At American River College, Arce was the Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences and a tenured faculty member in the Department of Political Science and Economics.

He has experience in strategic planning, program development and evaluation, enrollment management planning, budget development, articulation, student support services and overseeing institutional research programs. Arce uses process improvement approaches for planning and problem solving. During the last ten years Arce has served on six accreditation site visit teams and as the Accreditation Liaison Officer at three institutions. He has an education doctorate is from the University of San Francisco, a Masters Degree in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from California State University at Los Angeles and transfer course preparation at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California.

Joseph J. Bielanski, Jr., English Instructor, DSPS & District Academic Senate President

Joseph has worked in the Peralta Community College district since 1991 when he was hired as a counselor for Disabled Student Programs and Services. Since that time has served as counseling department chair, articulation officer, tenure review facilitator, curriculum committee chair, assessment committee, and catalog editor. For the past five years he has served as the co-president of the Berkeley City College academic senate and for the past four years as the District Academic Senate President. Joseph has completed four master’s degrees and in 2005 completed a doctorate in education. In 2002-2003 he was a doctoral fellow in Community College Leadership Development Initiatives through the University of California, Los Angeles and the Claremont Graduate University.

Merrill Deming, Professor of Mathematics, Crafton Hills College

Merrill Deming has been employed in the California community colleges since 1978 and by Crafton Hills College since 1985.  Currently a Professor of Mathematics, she has also served as Learning Disability Specialist, Coordinator of the Learning Resource Center, and Acting Dean of Continuing Education/Evening College. Ms. Deming has expertise in curriculum design, program planning, and enrollment/FTES management as well as in the uses of technology in teaching.  She served as a California Virtual Campus Faculty Mentor and served on the Distance Education Technical Advisory Committee to the Chancellor’s Office. Ms. Deming acts as a consultant to community colleges in the areas of basic skills education, college planning, and student learning outcomes.  She has made numerous presentations to state and national organizations.

Christine Link, Executive Assistant, Citrus Community College District

Ms. Christine Link is the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/President and Recording Secretary to the Board of Trustees for the Citrus Community College District. Prior to her community college experience, Ms. Link was the Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for the Claremont Unified School District. Mrs. Link served as a Team Assistant for two other accreditation visits.

Joseph Meyer, Asst. Professor of Political Science

Born and raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin - a suburb of Milwaukee - Joe is the youngest of six children.

He received his B.A. (in 1982) and M.A. (in 1984) in Political Science from Marquette University. He attended the Foreign Policy Semester at The American University in Washington, D.C., an honors program, in the spring of 1981.

In 1984, Joe moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, School of International Relations where he studied toward a Ph.D. While at USC, he studied Defense and Strategic Studies and Middle East politics and worked for the Center for Public Education in International Relations. He left to pursue a career as a stand-up comic and writer.

As a stand up comic, he toured the United States and parts of Canada. He has been an extra in over 50 productions giving him a total screen time of less than a minute.

Since the 1991 Gulf War, Joe has taught American Government at several community colleges around the Los Angeles area. He is currently assistant professor of political science at Los Angeles City College. He also teaches US Government online at Los Angeles Pierce College and Los Angeles Mission College.

As an active member of the International Studies Association, he continues to make presentations at their annual international conferences. His last project: ”The Role and Relevance of the State: Somalia.” His current project: "Teaching Democracy Using a Failed Model” which he presented in February of 2006.

Joe sits on the board of Youth for Positive Change, a non-profit peer counseling program in several LAUSD schools. He is a certified divorce mediator and has a small private family and neighborhood mediation practice: Confidential Mediation Services.

He resides in Reseda with his wife, Kimberly, who is also an educator.

Susan Middleton, Dean of Student Services, Lake Tahoe Community College

1. Current professional responsibilities:
Dean of Student Services; oversee Financial Aid, Counseling, Career and Transfer Services, Child Development Center, Matriculation, EOPS/CARE, DSPS, CalWORKS, Work Experience/Internship, Tutoring, Outreach & Recruitment, Student Activities, Early Childhood Education. Serve on six member Administrative Team (President’s cabinet); chair advisory committees, chair or serve as member of variety of college committees.

2. Summary of professional experience:
M.A. – Marriage and Family Counseling; 10 years as counselor at LTCC serving as Transfer Center Director, Articulation Officer, Matriculation Coordinator, taught variety of guidance classes; 12 years Dean of Student Services. Limited experience with distance education delivery.

3. Accreditation team/self study experience:
Served as Assistant to Lake Tahoe Community College President in his role as Chair of accreditation team; wrote the majority of findings of the Student Services standard. Have served as Standard Chair for Lake Tahoe Community College self study.

Teresa M. Scott, Executive Vice Chancellor, Yosemite Community College District

Ms. Scott began her career in accounting in 1979 as an Auditor, Audit Manager, and Tax Accountant with Grant Thornton Public Accounting. In 1985, Ms. Scott began her service with the Yosemite Community College District as an Accountant and has served in many roles including Controller, Assistant Chancellor for Fiscal Services, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Services, and her current position as Executive Vice Chancellor.

Ms. Scott participates on many professional organizations including the Funding Formula Task Force for the California Community College System, Chief Business Officers Advisory Committee for the Community College League of California. She is past president of the California Community Colleges Association of Chief Business Officers (ACBO). She has presented at an American Association of Community Colleges convention, the Asilomar Women’s’ Leadership Conference, and Community College League of California’s Trustee Orientation Workshops.

Ms. Scott has served on two accreditation teams.

Ms. Scott holds an M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Educational Administration from Chapman University. In 1983, Ms. Scott successfully passed the exam and is a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Scott earned her B.S. in Business Administration, Concentration in Finance and Economics, from California State University, Chico.

Dr. Joan Smith, President of Columbia College

Dr. Joan Smith joined Columbia College in January 2007. Dr. Smith served as Executive Vice President at Ventura Collegefrom 2002 to 2007. She was previously the Dean of Business, Industry, Technology and Off-Campus Programs at Ventura College from 2000-2002. Prior to that she held various positions at Oxnard College for a period of 20 years. She began at Oxnard College as an instructor/counselor from 1980 to 1992 with her most recent position at Oxnard, from 1997 to 2000, was as Dean of Institutional and Student Services.
Degrees
Ed.D. in Higher Education, Nova (Southeastern) University in Florida
M.S. in Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-StoutB.S. in Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Ron Vess, Librarian, Southwestern College

Born October 12, 1947 to Clarence and Elaine Vess in Richmond Virginia. Moved to Camp LeJune NC as my father reentered the United States Marine Corps after WWII. In 1953 the family, of which I am the oldest of 8 children, moved to Oceanside, California. We have essentially lived in the Oceanside area since that time. I graduated from Oceanside High School in 1965. After a short period at Oceanside-Carlsbad College (MiraCosta now) I entered the US Army. That experience sent me to Germany for approximately 1.5 years and on to Vietnam for about 7 months. I was wounded and sent to Fort Ord hospital for several operations and ultimately discharged from the hospital and the army.

Upon rearrival in Oceanside I returned to college, taking an Associates degree in Sociology, transferred to Cal-State University Fullerton, earning a BA in Political Science in 1972 and ultimately a MLS (Masters in Library Science) in 1974. From 1974 to 1984 I was co-owner of an artisan pottery studio which attempted to make a living. Due to a series of unfortunate business errors which essentially left the company in dire straits, I took a part-time (adjunct) position with Palomar College. At approximately the same time I was able to secure an additional adjunct position with MiraCosta College. When a full-time temporary leave replacement opportunity presented itself I applied. Once again I was fortunate enough to secure the position. The temporary leave replacement worked itself into a full-time tenure position and that just about brings us to the present.

My wife Claudia and I have 3 children; Lisa at 36 years; Stacey Noel at 34, and Woody at 31 years. Each of them has given us grandchildren, we currently have 8, there are also 2 dogs, Macgregor & Gracie, plus 5 cats … currently. As with anything else, there have been lumps and bumps along the way, but with the Grace of God we persevere. We enjoy traveling, especially in Scotland and Ireland and have opportunity to visit relatives, although distant ones every few years. And of course, play golf on the best courses in the world.

Michael Viera, Ph.D., Superintendent/President of Citrus College

Michael J. Viera, Ph.D., began his lifelong career in education as an instructor of high school civics in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.  In 1976 Dr. Viera became a professor of political science at Chaffey College, where over the next 19 years he served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles.  He became the first executive vice president of Fullerton College in 1995 and in 1999 was selected to serve as president.  Dr. Viera became the sixth superintendent/president of Citrus College in 2003.

Dr. Viera is committed to providing access to higher education and has worked to enhance articulation between area high schools and Citrus College.  To increase student success in the areas of transfer, basic skills and vocational education, he has worked to build relationships with local chambers of commerce, community organizations and education groups.  Currently, Dr. Viera sits on the executive board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Foothills and EYEDAS (Eye Diseases are Serious).  He is also a member of the Community College League of California Advisory Committee on Legislation.

Dr. Viera holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Riverside, an M.A. in comparative politics/international relations from the University of California, Riverside, and a B.A. in political science from Humboldt State University.

Judie Walter-Burke, Dean of Research, Planning and Development, Napa Valley College

Judie Walter-Burke is the Dean of Research, Planning and Development and the accreditation liaison officer at Napa Valley College. Her primary responsibilities include co-chairing the college’s planning committee, coordinating college-wide planning activities including program review, writing grant applications, and supervising the institutional research office. She has been at Napa Valley College since 1987. Previously she was Director of Planning and Resource Development, Title III Coordinator, and Assistant to the President. She also worked for the Peralta Community College District for eight years. Judie has an M.B.A. from St. Mary’s College and a B.A. in geography from Millersville State College in Pennsylvania. Judie has been on four self-study teams and has been the assistant to the chair on six site visits. She has co-chaired three accreditation self-studies and team visits at Napa Valley College.