Office of Instruction Update - August 2024

Day 10 as Interim VPI. But who’s counting? This inaugural monthly update primarily covers the transition of VPI responsibilities between Interim President Chahal and myself, the smooth handoff of Dean duties (including the secret handshake) to Dr. Teresa Mendes, and a plethora of meetings. It has been quite the whirlwind.

I have attended President’s African American and Business Industry Community Advisory meetings. These were both compelling occasions to discuss strengths and opportunities of our college to better serve our students and community.

I joined my first ever Districtwide Vice Presidents’ Workgroup and AgTEC meetings via zoom. The welcome I received from both groups was much appreciated. Fortunately, they did not assign too
much to the new guy.

Dr. Chahal invited me to the State of the Children breakfast at the Clovis Veterans’ Memorial District. The program was motivating and inspirational. They even served bacon. Though it was candied (not Canadian, candied) and not very good. No way to celebrate Monica’s birthday.

I planned on attending all the tenure-track evaluation meetings that were still on my calendar, but
after the first one I realized a) I needed to let go, and b) Dr. Mendes is a rockstar. She has a great dean team to work with, she gets to see Jake everyday, and she has her very own field office (golf cart on game day).

Kira (talk about rockstars) and I are leading Deans Council on Mondays, Department Chairs, and New Faculty Institute (NFI) alternating Fridays. I appreciate her patience.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who wished me well and continue to congratulate me on the move. It is motivating to me as I strive to pick up where Dr. Chahal left off to continue to support, guide, and push our instructional efforts.

Respectfully,

James R. Ortez, Ph.D., MPA
Vice President of Instruction