?On Nov. 3, Bakersfield College announced that Ed Knudson had become the new vice president of student learning.
The decision came down to two candidates: Dr. Reza Azarmsa, who is currently the dean of academic affairs and dean of business and education at American Intercontinental University, Los Angeles, and Knudson, who was the dean of economic and workforce development at BC.
“I was looking for the best candidate and academic leader for the position,” said William Andrews, president of BC.
According to Andrews the vice president would have to have a college-wide perspective.
In an interview before Knudsen was put in office, Andrews said that he was looking for someone who can work well with students, faculty and staff. A person that could “juggle at least 10 balls at a time.”
Knudson, who already works at BC, is one of those people and will make the transition into his new position with ease with the help of faculty members, said Andrews said.
“It will be a lot of work, but I’m working with people that are very talented,” said Knudsen. “They will help me set my priorities and will keep me on track. It’s a good team.”
He’s a very busy person who manages a wide range of partnerships, which he developed and implemented, that directly benefit students.
These partnerships include the Construction Technology Path coordinated with HUD, the City of Bakersfield and local building contractors; the Kern Economic Development Corporation, which works with the Logistics and Manufacturing, value added Agriculture, and construction industry clusters; and participates with the Education Taskforce of the Vision 2020 Project.
He plans on manipulating his time with the help of the faculty.
“A lot of folks are willing to assist me and help rearrange schedules,” said Knudsen. “There’s a lot of positive energy and great people.”
Knudsen will now have to report to the President and is the chief instructional officer.
“When I’m not on campus he’ll be in charge,” said Andrews. “Responsibilities always go to the vice president first.”
Knudsen has been at BC since 2002. Prior he worked at Linn Benton Community College from 1992 to 2000; he was the business and computer systems division director. He was also the business management department chair.
He was faculty at University of Georgia from 1992 to 1993.
He also worked at Oregon State University from 1989 to 1992.
Knudsen’s first Job was at Lane Community College from 1990 to 2001.
Knudsen’s duties will include everything from planning, developing, and implementing innovative programs and articulation of instructional interests, achievements, and needs both within the college and to the community at large.
He will focus on outreach to and recruitment of high school students and strategies to retain current students, as well as work to strengthen the line of communication with the faculty at BC.
“It’s a matter of making sure that I’m open and transparent for people,” said Knudsen.
“I will pass on information as quickly as I can, making sure people know that they can chat with me.
We will focus on things geared towards parents so that they understand and know what’s available for students and answer questions.”
Knudsen plans on improving student enrollment through Bakersfield’s high schools and other cities near Bakersfield BC tries to serve.
“We have tech prep facilities, and we hold events where sophomores and juniors can come and learn more about what BC has to offer,” said Knudsen. “It’s a whole package. We’re working on making ourselves more available to students.”
According to Andrews, the candidacy is a seemingly long process. First, candidates were chosen, and then they were reviewed.
Open forums were held to question the candidates, and then they had to wait until the answer from Andrews, whose decision was approved by the chancellor and the board of trustees who are the only ones that can legally employ, according to Andrews.
“It’s a good process,” said Knudsen.
“It allowed lots of people to get to know me.”
Since July the position had been open while interim Jack Hernandez filled the position.
Hernandez will now lay the foundation as the first director of the Norman Levan Center for humanities and medicine at BC.