Vela announced as both student and academic VP

Dr. Robert Vela will assume the position of vice president of academic affairs and student affairs, President Robert Zeigler announced today in an email to employees.

Zeigler said in an interview this afternoon that the new job description is not finished, but the new title is vice president of academic and student success.

Zeigler said he still has to fill out paperwork, but Chancellor Bruce Leslie has approved the position as a reorganization of the college administration and not a new position.

Vela was appointed interim vice president of academic affairs July 2, when Dr. Jessica Howard left to become president of Portland Community College’s Southeast Campus.

Zeigler said he does not think anything will change since Vela has been assuming both positions.

“The way I see it, a single vice president creates a unity between student affairs and academic affairs,” Zeigler said.

He said the restructure will benefit the college because deans will be able to work directly with chairs and directors, and the vice president will have a “big picture look” of the college.

“Academic issues and student’s affairs issues are merging much more anyway. There is a while bunch of overlap,” Zeigler said. “We’re all focusing of student success.”

Zeigler said the recommendation does not have to go to the Alamo College’s board of trustees since it is a restructure of the model that was in effect from 1995–2009.

Zeigler said in the email that there will be an open forum for Vela to “explain his vision for the college and his role, seek input and answer questions.”

He said the date for the open forum is undecided, but it will take place soon.

He also said in the email that there will be an evaluation of effectiveness after six month and also at the end of the first year.

He said it will not be an all-college vote, but he will hear input from the college executive team and chairs.

Zeigler said the college executive team recommended the model because they believe it would help them “function more effectively as a team.”

Zeigler said it would be easier for him because he could go to Vela for the two subjects and there would be no “fragmentation.”

He said the model is more effective because it avoids confusion.

“There’s a general feeling that combining the two is the most effective way to work,” he said. “Across the country, people are beginning to look at that model again.”

He said he expects this college to be fine with the decision because Vela is effective.

“We haven’t missed a beat,” Zeigler said.

“He (Vela) is an exemplary person and a really strong leader,” Zeiger said. “I look forward to this: bringing good things and continuing good things to the college.”

David Mrizek will remain at his position as vice president of college services.