By Jonathan Munson
While this college is undergoing stressful changes, faculty and administration can feel confident that Dr. David Conde, a candidate for the dean of arts and sciences here, is an optimist.
Conde said he is a Denver Rockies fan, and although the team lost its first game of the World Series the night before his interview, he said, “We’re down, but we’ll come back.”
The Boston Red Sox swept the series 4-0.
Conde, associate vice president of academic affairs at Metropolitan State College in Denver, was the first candidate of an extended pool to be interviewed for the position of dean of arts and sciences at this college.
At a forum Oct. 24, Conde answered questions pertaining to his job experience and his outlook on community colleges.
He said he discovered his interest in the community college system while working on a Title 3 project, and interestingly enough, meeting Red Rock’s former president, Dr. Eric Reno, before Reno became president of Northeast Lakeview College in this district.
“We’re working with two of our largest community colleges,” Conde said, explaining that for Metropolitan State to be eligible for a second Title 3 project, it had to form a partnership with another college, and ended up working with the community colleges in Denver.
“In the process of meeting with all the people, I came to know a lot about the community college system and how indispensable they are,” Conde said. “I came to understand the kinds of things that we have to pay attention to.”
He said in Colorado, the community college system is broken.
At Metropolitan State, Conde serves just under 23,000 students, he said. There are three schools: the school of professional studies, which teaches courses such as criminal justice and aviation; the school of business, which carries six departments; and the school of arts and sciences, which has 23 departments.
“I oversee the life of 1,131 faculty members,” he said. In addition to his regular workload, he is also the director of Metropolitan State Language and Culture Institute. “We have programs in Mexico, Central America, Peru and London,” he said. They range from exchange student programs to tours that study the Mayan civilization. “We have a lot of fun.”
In answer to questions about the much sought after Baldrige Award, Conde gave his description on what it involves — outcomes assessment at all levels, from student learning to communication between administration and faculty. All aspects would be analyzed to see how efficient and effective they are.
Processes would be looked at step-by-step, and all flaws worked out.
“I think the outcome might be useful for us in terms of elevating some of the things we do well,” Conde said, “but it’s a collaborative effort. Everybody would have to be involved; otherwise, it wouldn’t work.”
He also touched upon “smart classrooms,” courses enhanced by the Internet. “The smart classroom is here to stay. I think all of our classrooms should be smart.”
Metropolitan State College is going through a process similar to this college, he said.
They are switching from WebCT to WebCT Vista. It is a process of much concern to faculty here as this college is preparing to make the same switch.
He also was asked how he would promote professional development among adjunct faculty.
“Ironically, the most important thing is recognition, not the training,” Conde said. He offered Metropolitan State as an example. “We recognize outstanding adjunct faculty. From there, once they felt welcome and recognized, they began to participate.”