While maintaining the traditions of Bakersfield College, new President Dr. Greg Chamberlain resembles a politician campaigning for change.
Chamberlain stated that professors and staff need to take a look at how they do things, and that all BC employees should make the right decisions for the new generation of students. He suggested that leadership should not get stuck in a comfortable process in a changing world of education.
“It’s a discussion that needs to evolve campus wide,” said Chamberlain.
As a former community college student himself, Chamberlain can identify with students attending BC and realizes what an impact this step in education can make on one’s future.
“I was put on academic probation,” said Chamberlain. “When I came back, the school provided me with the right resources to move forward, and it’s something you don’t forget. I understand the value of a community college in the area.”
Chamberlain’s predecessor, William Andrews, spent a mere three years attending to BC at a time when community college administration was at a high turn over rate. Behavioral Science chair Becki Whitson feels that Chamberlain has potential to be here for quite some time and could compare to former BC president Rick Wright, who spent 14 years as president and left in 1997 after leading BC into the world of multimedia instruction in 1991.
“He (Chamberlain) has a certain charisma,” said Whitson. “He definitely has integrity and has respect from his peers. He is a die hard for BC.”
Chamberlain made it clear that he has no other career goal or plan.
“I hope to be here a long time and bring positive change to BC.”
He hopes to avoid putting off important projects as he transitions, focusing on three major areas. Chamberlain plans to move forward with the implementation of the 2012 Plan, and he commented that he doesn’t want all the hard work done previously to sit on the shelf.
Accreditation for 2009 is also a concern for him. When a complete cycle of assessment and evaluation is done, faculty must link planned projects to the budget.
Finally, Chamberlain believes that an emphasis on the institute meeting student needs is of great importance.
“It doesn’t matter if they’re the kind of students we (faculty) were or students with special needs,” he said. “We need to be able to meet the needs of all of our students no matter what level they’re at.”
Chamberlain started off the first day of school by greeting nearly 18,000 students visiting and attending classes.
“Students are why we’re here,” said Chamberlain. ” I always welcome the opportunity to meet them.”
Whitson and other faculty members noticed his efforts that reinforced their opinions of his future and present role as president.
“His goal was not to be president of a college; he wanted to be the president of Bakersfield College,” said Whitson. “He wanted to be vested in this college. He’s a true Renegade who truly cares about this college. He is dedicated to students at BC.”
Chamberlain believes that his inclusion of faculty at an informational retreat and the opening day session before classes began were helpful in communicating his ideas for meeting the needs of students; in doing so, he positively reinforced his plans for change.
“My desire is to make positive change for the students, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way,” said Chamberlain.
As a new president, he has been juggling his responsibilities; he admitted that at times he feels overwhelmed. But he says that he’s not afraid to keep his door open and his window curtains wide to remember why he’s sitting at his desk.
“It’s great to look up and see why we’re all here,” he said.
Whitson has confidence that he will create a balance at BC and added that only time will tell.
” Knowing Greg, he’ll make the transition very well; he’ll make it happen,” said Whitson. ” It’s like coming home. He hasn’t been gone that long.”