PCC’s Superintendent-President, at Convocation, Faces Hefty Challenges

As he heads into his first annual convocation today and then fall season of classes after taking office as Pasadena City College’s 15th Superintendent-President last year, Dr. Rajen Vurdien has a hefty plate of challenges in his lap, even for a seasoned educator.

“I was well received by staff and students and I’ve always felt at home here,” Vurdien said. “PCC is an iconic institution, not just in the state but also in the nation, that has lots of potential.”

Vurdien arrived last May at a tumultuous time. The Accrediting Commision for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) had placed the college on probation, and its future accreditation was threatened.

The commission said PCC had a “climate of distrust,” an erosion of “participatory governance” and a “lack of respect” among employees. It also said it found flaws in its adherence to its own ethics policy, in its planning and in its communication between administrators and staff.

As a result, the ACCJC required PCC to prepare a comprehensive report by October 16, 2016 documenting an honest self evaluation of the institution, backed by evidence, followed by an on-site visit by an evaluation team in order to go from probationary accreditation back to permanent accreditation.

Vurdien’s past experience as an administrator in four community colleges including five years as the Fullerton College President plays a significant role in his confidence tackling the preparation of the ACCJC-required report.

“We have addressed ACCJC’s recommendations and we have the evidence to support it,” Vurdien explained. He is preparing to submit the 44-page report by October as requested by the ACCJC detailing what PCC has done to fix the problems.

“I am confident that the team we have assembled at PCC is highly competent and have what it takes to get us out of probation, but we don’t have the final verdict,” Vurdien said. “This is something that is outside of our control.”

The college recently hired a record 61 new full-time faculty members which Vurdien said was due to a high rate of retirement, as well as an effort to satisfy the state-required faculty to student ratio.

Vurdien said a high number of faculty retired last year after being offered a state incentive.

PCC remains a popular educational choice in the area, attracting 27,199 credit students in Fall, 2015 and awarding 2,589 Associate Degrees during the 2013-2014 school year.

According to data released by Community College Week in 2015, PCC ranks number one among California community colleges in awarding associate degrees.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we will be operating at 97 percent course capacity this year.” Vurdien said.

“Students come here because they sense the opportunities PCC provides,” Vurdien said. “It’s something that’s in the air.”

Despite the issues raised by accrediting commission, PCC was named one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation by The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, making it eligible to compete for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million dollars in prize funds. It’s also eligible for Siemens Technical Scholars Program student scholarships.

“This is a very prestigious recognition that will propel this college, which is already one of the best of the nation, to an even higher level,” Vurdien said.

Vurdien is also excited to continue to grow the popular Dual Enrollment Program between Pasadena Unified School District and PCC which gives high school students the opportunity to take courses PCC credit before they graduate high school.

The college is in the process of signing and renewing contracts across three school districts that include Pasadena Unified, Temple City Unified, and El Monte School Districts.

“This program creates pathways for students to know where they are going and how to be productive members in society,” Vurdien said. “We want to help guide them as early as possible.”

According to Vurdien, campus unity is on track to being restored between staff, students and faculty—a whirlwind of a difference when compared to campus atmosphere in recent years.

“It’s come back to being a very collegiate climate. We all work together and look forward to moving this institution ahead,” Vurdien said. “I feel that this level of positivity permeates everything we do.”

PCC will host its 2016 Annual Convocation Friday, Aug. 26 where Vurdien and other college leaders will discuss future plans for PCC in more detail. Featured speakers include individuals from the Academic Senate, the PCC Board of Trustees, the Faculty Association and more.

The event will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at PCC’s Sexon Auditorium located at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-annual-convocation-tickets-27155167838.