Vice President of Instruction and Student Services Search
Updated May 11, 2011
Yakima Valley College is excited to announce we have completed our Vice President of Instruction and Student Services search. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer Ernst will join Yakima Valley College as our next Vice President for Instruction and Student Services effective July 1, 2021.
Her experience breaking down barriers to college success for historically under-served populations make her an ideal fit to join YVC’s leadership team. We look forward to benefiting from her expertise in fostering innovative and inclusive teaching and learning, which will support YVC’s mission and our efforts to advance equitable outcomes for students.
Dr. Ernst is a first-generation community college student herself, attending Glendale Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in English literature from Duquesne University, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Ferris State University. Dr. Ernst brings extensive experience providing high-quality, student-centered learning experiences to diverse populations in a community college setting. She most recently served as dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Henry Ford College in Michigan, a community college with one of the most diverse student populations in the country. Prior to serving as dean, Dr. Ernst held a variety of academic leadership roles at the institution and served as an English instructor for nine years.
Role of Vice President of Instruction and Student Services
The Vice President of Instruction and Student Services provides vision, leadership, planning, and administration of a comprehensive array of instructional activities and support services designed to promote student success. As an engaged visionary and leader, the Vice-President is involved in long-term planning of Instruction and Student services by understanding and determining resolutions, strategies, and initiatives to move forward the college’s student retention; and diversity, equity, and inclusion agendas ensuring the quality of education for students at Yakima Valley College.
The Vice President for Instruction and Student Services is an integral member of the College President’s executive team. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment and discretionary authority that will have consequences beyond the immediate unit.
Demonstrated Value for and Commitment to:
- The community college mission, vision, and purpose
- Recruiting and sustaining a diverse faculty that contributes to and complements the academic experience.
- Ensuring equitable student learning and achievement outcomes
- Integrating principles of equity and social justice throughout the college learning and working environment