Community & Technical College Searches - RH Perry

Portland Community College names Dr. Jennifer Ernst as Vice President of Academic Affairs

Portland Community College announced that it has chosen Dr. Jennifer Ernst as its new Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA), effective Sept. 1. Dr. Ernst is currently the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Yakima Valley College.

As the college’s VPAA, Dr. Ernst will serve as the Chief Academic Officer and Accreditation Liaison Officer for PCC. She will provide strategic leadership for the development and implementation of educational programs, curriculum planning, including online learning, workforce development and continuing education. She will also oversee instructional support across PCC’s multi-campus system. The VP of Academic Affairs leads the comprehensive assessment program to ensure alignment with the college’s mission, values, and strategic plan, and serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Ernst replaces Dr. Katy Ho, who has become PCC’s Executive Vice President.

“I am delighted to join the team that is guiding Portland Community College through its 21st Century transformation,” said Dr. Ernst. “I look forward to building amazing learning opportunities for our Portland community in collaboration with our K-12 and industry partners and focusing on equitable student success for all PCC students.”

Dr. Ernst brings over 20 years of experience in teaching and leadership in higher education, coupled with a commitment to student empowerment. Her career began as an adjunct instructor at various institutions before she joined the tenure track at Henry Ford College. There, she served as a union leader on the AFT local executive board, department chair for English and Speech, and eventually became the inaugural Dean of the School of Liberal Arts following a major college reorganization.

At Yakima Valley College, Dr. Ernst has been instrumental in leading the Guided Pathways transformation, as well as overseeing strategic enrollment management, and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. Her work has focused on fostering equitable student success through inclusive pedagogy and a pathways-based care team approach. She has successfully expanded partnerships with K-12 districts, local employers, and higher education institutions.

Notably, she facilitated a groundbreaking articulation agreement with Pacific Northwest University School of Dental Medicine, enabling students to enter the dental school with an associate’s degree without needing a bachelor’s degree. Her efforts have also secured millions of dollars in state and federal grants to support student success.

Dr. Ernst serves on the Instruction Commission for the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges and was recently elected as a Steering Team member for the commission. She is also a representative on the review team for state bachelor’s program authorization and Strategic Technology Advisory Committee.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Ernst completed her transfer studies at Glendale Community College in Arizona, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, her graduate degree from Duquesne University, and her Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University.

Indiana Tech names Dr. Lucy Yang as Dean of the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Indiana Tech has named Dr. Xiaoli (Lucy) Yang as its new dean of the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. Dr. Yang will begin her service at the university on Sept. 1, 2024.

Dr. Yang comes to Indiana Tech from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she serves as professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. During her tenure as chair at Fairfield, she led the development of new academic programs and established the university’s new AI lab, serving faculty, students and community partners. Dr. Yang developed the first computer science study abroad program in partnership with the University of Galway, Scotland, secured ABET accreditation for the computer science program, enhanced both the undergraduate and graduate curricula, and worked to develop new corporate and community partnerships. Collaborating with community partners and faculty both within and outside the university, she secured grant funding and led various project funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, state funding agencies and private foundations.

Prior to her work at Fairfield, Dr. Yang spent seven years at Purdue University Northwest, serving as professor and director of graduate programs in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2015 to 2022. Dr. Yang’s prior experience also includes roles as assistant professor (2005 to 2009) and associate professor (2009 to 2015) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University Calumet; assistant professor in the Department of Software Engineering at Lakehead University in Canada (2003 to 2005); and postdoctoral fellow in the School of Information Technology and Engineering University in Canada (2002 to 2005).

Dr. Yang earned her B.S. in Electronic and Information Engineering and her M.S. in Mechanical and Mining Engineering from Taiyuan University of Technology in China; her M.A.Sc. in Systems and Computer Engineering from Carleton University in Canada; and her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from China University of Mining and Technology. Dr. Yang’s research expertise includes virtual/augmented reality, visualization, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity education, and software engineering. She is professional member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

Indiana Tech President Dr. Karl Einolf commented, “All of us at Indiana Tech are excited to welcome Dr. Yang to our university. Her experience, leadership abilities and commitment to student success stood out amongst the many excellent candidates who were part of our search process. Here at Indiana Tech, Dr. Yang will lead an outstanding faculty and staff team in our Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences as we develop innovative new programs that will serve our students, partners and community well into the future. Her experience in developing and leading partnerships will also make her a highly effective leader for our Northeast Indiana Center for Engineering, helping us further leverage Indiana Tech’s expertise, equipment and laboratories to benefit regional engineering firms, advanced manufacturing operations, entrepreneurs and others. This will benefit not just Indiana Tech, but all of Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. I’m confident that Dr. Yang will help our university continue building on the tradition of excellence we’ve established in the Talwar College.”

Dr. Yang commented, “The forward-thinking vision, strategic direction, innovative academic programs, and exceptional individuals at Indiana Tech left an unforgettable impression on me. With numerous exciting initiatives underway in The Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, I am genuinely honored to become part of the Indiana Tech community at this exciting time. I look forward to working with the faculty, students, and staff in the near future.” Dr. Yang’s appointment as dean of the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences at Indiana Tech was the culmination of a nationwide search that began in the winter of 2024. The search was led by higher education search firm RH Perry & Associates, working with an internal search committee of Indiana Tech faculty and staff members.