By Greta Lieske
IV Leader Editor, March 19, 2009
March 11 marked former Illinois Valley Community College
Graduate Rick Pearce’s first day as the college’s Vice President for Learning
and Student Development.
The position is new and combines the divisions of Academic
Affairs and Student Development. Pearce will oversee all academic programs and
enrollment management services.
Pearce is a Streator native and also served with the the
Illinois Board of Higher Education. On the IBHE, he served in successive roles
as the interim deputy director for academic affairs, associate director for
academic affairs and assistant director for academic affairs.
“I'm very excited about the opportunity to give back to my
home community,” said Pearce in an IVCC press release. “It feels great to be
bringing my educational career full-circle.”
IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said the “reorganization” of
the vice presidential positions is an effort to overcome past traditional
divisions and bring the realms of academic affairs and student services
together.
Corcoran noted that now that IVCC has appointed Pearce to the
Vice President for Learning and Student Development position proceedings can
begin “with a national search for filling the final new position called Vice
President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness.”
“Effective strategic planning is key to the success of our
institution,” said Corcoran. “Our focus needs to be on continuous assessment of
programs and services and we need consistent, reliable data to help drive our
decisions. Once this position is filled, then we’ll be in pretty good shape for
many years to come.”
A total of 42 individuals applied for the Vice President for
Learning and Student Development position following a national search.
Before Pearce’s appointment, IVCC had a vice president for
academic affairs and a vice president for student services.