Four director candidates to visit college this month

After many long hours of extensive review and discussion, the search for a new director at Kenai Peninsula College has resulted in the selection of four finalists from a pool of forty applicants. These candidates are: Gary J. Turner of Carnation, Wash.; Richard K. Swanson of Portland, Ore.; Dr. Paul R. Dauphinais of Wells, Maine; and Dr. Peggy Poling of Clayton, N.M.

The candidates are scheduled to visit both KPC campuses over the first three weeks of April. The current Administration has put together a schedule of activities so that faculty, staff, students and the public have multiple opportunities to interact each candidate.

KPC encourages everyone to get involved in the selection process by attending the "get to know the candidates" sessions and providing feedback by filling out comment sheets.

The candidate's resumes and schedules of activities can be viewed at the KPC Web site at www.uaa.alaska. edu/kenai. Help us welcome these professionals to our communities -- one of them will ultimately be selected to help guide Kenai Peninsula College into the future. Thanks to each of the candidates for the time and effort they have put into the process.

Sunday Showcase Presents

Kenai Peninsula College would like to invite the public to the season finale of the Sunday Showcase series, "A Celebration of the Arts," on April 21 at 3 p.m. Activities include a reception for the student art show, along with entertainment featuring the KPC Dancers as well as a variety of performances highlighting the wide range of musical talent found here at KPC. Among those performing will be Dr. Dave Wartinbee, Les Bender and Sarah Glaves.

Job Fair Roaring Success

Kenai Peninsula College would like to thank all the job seekers and employer vendors who helped make the "one stop job shop" an overwhelmingly successful event. Peninsula Job Center staff and the KPC Career Center Coordinator did a great job coordinating booth space for the 70 different vendors that attended. Thanks to APICC, KPEDD and the Alaska Workforce Development Office for their partnership in the fair planning. The Job and Career Fair was a joint effort that could not have been successful without community support.

The Peninsula Clarion, KSRM Radio, Safeway, KPBSD Culinary Department, and the Kenai River Sport Fishing Association all provided donations to the event. An additional thanks to the many vendors who provided door prizes that were given away throughout the day.

An "above and beyond award" is given to all the Peninsula Job Center and KPC staff members who helped turn the college into a "job fair" and then back into a college. Thanks for helping create opportunities for the community. The partners are already planning next year's Job and Career Fair. If you missed it this year, don't miss it next year -- it may change your life.

Assessment Plan for KPC

KPC is in the process of sending out a short survey to area businesses to assess needs and locate organizations that have hired KPC graduates. The survey will allow the college to assess particular programs, highlight what is being done right and see where changes need to be made. Results will be shared with the College Advisory Council and the UAA Administration and could result in the implementation of new programs and curriculum.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, community relations coordinator at Kenai Peninsula College.