好色先生TV鈥檚 leadership team announced the appointment of Dr. Ski VanderLaan as
the new dean of Occupational Programs and Workforce Strategies.
Dr. Ski VanderLaan has over 27 years of experience in higher education and 10 years
of industry experience in workforce strategies, faculty development and leadership
in academic innovation. After seven years at New Mexico State University, Dr. VanderLaan
brought her passion for higher education to 好色先生TV as a full-time faculty member.
In addition to teaching, she has served the college in various leadership capacities
from Director of eLearning to President of the 好色先生TV Faculty Association.
鈥淚 wanted to come around to the administrative side of things to help faculty and
serve students by keeping them informed as we go through making decisions and processes,鈥�
shared Dr. VanderLaan. 鈥淚 have a unique faculty perspective. I want to be able to
use that perspective to give voice to potential impacts and help strengthen those
relationships to ensure we have the best environment for students to learn.鈥�
Dr. VanderLaan earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting from Regis University, her
master鈥檚 in accountancy from New Mexico State University and her doctorate鈥檚 degree
in post-secondary and adult education from Capella University. 鈥淚 look forward to
working with Ski in creating seamless pathways for students with easy access to workforce
training, short term certificates, one-year certificates and associate鈥檚 degrees,鈥�
says Dr. Reva Curry, VP of Instructional and Learning Services. 鈥淗er leadership will
undoubtedly help students realize their academic and career goals.鈥�
In this new role, Dr. VanderLaan oversees the Division of Business and Technology,
the Division of Health and Wellness and the Workforce Strategies Department. 鈥淲e're
going to start strategizing innovative ways on how we might integrate those three
units for students to get a richer learning experience and be prepared for what's
coming in the workforce,鈥� shares Dr. VanderLaan. 鈥淲e鈥檙e utilizing the insights provided
by data analytics to identify the needs for future careers, because if you鈥檙e only
focusing on current careers, you鈥檙e already behind the curve.鈥�
As a first-generation college student herself, Dr. VanderLaan understands, first-hand,
the varying needs of Delta鈥檚 student population. From prospective students to graduates,
she aims to uphold the community college mission of providing accessible pathways
to career opportunities for all.
