CLEARLAKE >> For the past two years, the Yuba College Clear Lake campus has been without an executive dean. Interim deans have stepped in and shouldered some responsibility, but the faculty, as well as the students presumably, have been anxious for something more permanent. In the end, the school did not have to look far. Recently they named Annette Lee, a Middletown graduate, former Yuba College student and a part time business teacher at the Clear Lake campus since 2007 to the post.
“To be part of the organization and then to be chosen to lead the organization was thrilling for me,” Lee said. “And a chance for me to serve my community in a different way and a new and exciting way.”
The process to become the school’s newest dean was an extensive one involving many interviews, but Lee, who is currently working toward a doctorate in Educational Administration, clearly represented herself well. “At the end of it, I really felt that those who were making the decision had a really, really clear and accurate impression of who I was and what I was able to bring to the table,” she said. After writing numerous essays, speaking at a recorded public forum and two separate hour-long interviews with both the Lake County Superintendent of Schools, Brock Falkenberg and Colusa County Schools Superintendent, Michael West, it was decided that Lee was the best candidate for the job.
“I’m looking forward to the beginning of a new semester, getting out on campus and talking to the students,” she said. “I’m looking forward to spending the next several years building partnerships throughout the community with our local high schools and businesses so that we can provide programs and learning opportunities for community members that are meaningful and help people grow professionally and personally.”
Lee’s excitement about her new position stems not just from a professional interest, but from a more personal one. She grew up attending school in the Konocti Unified School District and when it came time to head to college, she started at the place where she’s now a major player. “Yuba College has always been part of my life, as an elementary and high school student and then as a former Yuba College student and coming back to Lake County as an adult to raise my family,” she said. “It’s been a really big part of my life and the chance to give back to the college and the community was really important to me.”
Naturally, Lee has a long list of plans to benefit the college, the first of which is to continue the great work the school has done with and for the county. “I think one of my biggest priorities is really to continue partnering with the community and offering programs and services and courses that the community wants to see,” she said. “So my plan is to continue to connect with students and community members and community organizations and community leaders and to talk with them and to learn more about their vision of what higher education should be in Lake County.”
One example of this recent collaboration came when the community requested that Yuba College offer two new classes. People approached Lee and the faculty and expressed their desire to learn about and become real estate and EMT certified. Without hesitation, Lee and her colleagues made those classes available.
“I look forward to building a brand for our Clear Lake campus that is recognized as a quality learning environment where people know they can go to earn certificates to better their business skills,” Lee said. She is striving to place Yuba College on the map as a campus that meets a great variety of personal interests and needs. In addition to business classes, these include courses that teach professional skills, quality community enrichment classes and of course classes that will help students transfer to a four year university. Lee wants to create an environment where community members can find courses that meet their needs, “whatever those needs might be,” she added.
If one thing is obvious, it’s that Lee really cares about her students, and she’s grateful to be working with colleagues who share a similar outlook. “The faculty and staff, they’re very passionate about serving the students,” she said. “Everybody that works at Yuba College Clear Lake campus loves the students It’s just a very empowering and uplifting feeling to be able to go to work in an environment like that.”
Further, the campus is a place where Lee can spend the day and always feel right at home. “I love the family atmosphere,” she said. “When you’re on campus you feel that the faculty and the staff and the students are all part of one giant family.”
However, this new appointment isn’t without its difficulties. “Getting the message out is always a challenge,” Lee said. So that’s why Lee is focusing on outreach in order to inform the community of the numerous benefits on campus.
“We’re going to be working on new and exciting ways to inform the community about programs and services that we have to offer,” she said.
With all these programs comes a balancing act. Lee and the rest of the staff have to stick to state mandated standards so that students who are working towards their associates degree and looking to transfer to a four year university can take the proper courses. “We want to make sure we’re providing programs that enable our students to graduate with two year degrees and to transfer to CSU and UC systems,” Lee explained. But Lee also wants to offer an abundance of technical education and community enrichment classes.
“Educating our community about what we have to offer is something that we’re definitely going to be working on,” she said. “Everybody who can benefit from being a student at Yuba College can come and benefit from being part of our campus community.”
During her time as the executive dean, Lee hopes to see more people excited about pursuing higher education at Yuba College. “I would like to see our campus continue to grow,” she said. “I’d like to see more community members and high school graduates take advantage of the programs that Yuba College has to offer. I would like to see more high school graduates getting their associates degree from Yuba College.”
With a new set of courses just around the corner, Lee is enthusiastic about the upcoming months. “Classes start next week and I’m so excited about this new semester,” she said. “We really would love to see everybody come out and enroll. We have some great classes and new programs that are starting.”
Now is as good a time as any for anyone to get invested in their future. “Take that class that you have always wanted to take,” Lee urged.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
