Dr. Randall J. “Randy” VanWagoner serves as the fifth president of Mohawk Valley Community College – a position he has held since July 1, 2007. Founded in 1946, MVCC was the first community college founded in the New York state. The College is known for the outstanding success of its students who transfer to a four–year institution, the talents of the graduates from the comprehensive array of career and technical programs, and its commitment to the continuing development of the dynamic community it serves. Dr. VanWagoner came to MVCC after serving as the chief academic officer at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska and the chief student affairs officer at Red Rocks Community College in Golden, Colorado. He received his graduate degrees from the Higher Education program at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor; his B.A. in communications from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan; and was a two–sport athlete at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. He and his wife Jennifer live with their two daughters in New Hartford.
Bio
Education
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI
- Doctorate of Philosophy: Higher Education Administration
- Master of Arts: Community College Administration
- Oakland University – Rochester, MI
- Bachelor of Arts
- Major: Communications
- Minor: Business Management
- Mott Community College – Flint, MI
- Major: Liberal Arts
Professional Experience
- President – 2007 to Present
- Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, New York
- Vice President for Learning and Academic Affairs – 1999 to 2007
- Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Nebraska
Served as chief academic officer and member of the college executive team/cabinet representing the academic affairs division; Provided leadership and overall direction to administration of credit, non–credit, and customized instruction in a multi–campus system that served a diverse student population (23 percent racial/ethnic minority, 14,008 fall headcount) of 29,000 unduplicated annual credit headcount (approx. 9,500 FTE), and 12,700 unduplicated annual non–credit headcount.
Organizational Development Accomplishments:
- Used collaborative processes to reorganize administrative structure that provided more focused and clear communications in new academic affairs area that had grown FTE enrollment 33 percent in the past seven years.
- Provided leadership to transform the class scheduling efficiency that resulted in a 19 percent increase in credit hours and an 18 percent decrease in total sections during a three–year period of significant reductions in state aid; recognized nationally for exemplary practice.
- Developed multi–year enrollment strategy for space usage, including high school career academies, weekend college degree programs, online and blended courses, discount tuition for non–peak times, and off–site usage.
- Served as executive administrative lead for North Central Association self–study process that resulted in successful ten–year continuing accreditation and separate approval to award entire programs via distance delivery; serve as accreditation liaison for College.
- Provided administrative leadership through managed enrollment growth with increases in 29 of 32 quarter terms in last eight academic years.
Program and Curriculum Development Accomplishments:
- Engaged faculty in the development of a process for the annual review of all credit programs, including critical success measures, a peer review component, and a focused review process for troubled programs.
- Initiated and led a two–year project to renumber all credit courses, which enhanced the Program for the Assessment of Student Learning (outcomes assessment) and provided faculty a common approach to curriculum revision, maintenance and development.
- Engaged faculty in analyzing current curriculum practices and developing a sustainable system for curriculum design and development. This initiative resulted in the creation of the Curriculum Design Studio, gaining national exposure in the AACC Journal.
Partnerships
- Chaired the Nebraska Community College Instructional Officers group and helped create a common definition of a “credit” course for purposes of state aid reimbursement.
- Guided activity in partnership with the local Tri–County Workforce Development Board to develop a Professional Skills Specialist Diploma training program that received national exposure in multiple publications.
- Led the development of an Apprentice–Related Technology Degree that met the collective needs of three different local trade unions.
- Invited member as single postsecondary representative to join Chamber of Commerce Economic Development staff in hosting industry site selection teams and consultants considering relocating or expanding operations to greater Omaha metropolitan area.
- Served as invited member on Futureforce Nebraska steering committee that directed collaborative activities among Coordinating Commission on Postsecondary Education, community colleges, universities, and state departments of Education, Labor, and Economic Development.
Adjunct Faculty – Fall 2004
Metropolitan Community College – Omaha, Nebraska
- Taught Microcomputer Applications 237: Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets (MS Excel) via classroom delivery.
- Conducted professional development workshops for faculty and staff on accreditation, communication, and leadership. (2001–2005)
- Dean of Educational Support Services – 1997 to 1999
- Registration/Director of Research & Planning – 1996 to 1997
- Director of Institutional Research & Planning – 1994 to 1996
- Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood, Colorado
Responsible for college leadership serving as chief student affairs officer and member of President’s seven–member leadership team as Dean of Educational Support with responsibility for Admissions, Student Records, Advising, Career Counseling, Student Life, Services for Special Populations, Assessment, International Education and Institutional Research in a college of 8,200 fall headcount (7 percent racial/ethnic minority) and 4,000 FTE. Served as chief planning and research officer, in all appointments, with primary responsibility for coordinating processes related to strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, assessment of student learning, state and federal accountability, and accreditation; Represented College for statewide community college system task forces, initiatives, and meetings.
Part–time Instructor – Spring/Fall 1998 & Spring 1999
Red Rocks Community College – Lakewood, Colorado
- Taught Computer Information Systems 150: Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets (MS Excel) via online delivery.
- Redesigned curriculum guides for introduction to MS Excel course by integrating Bloom’s taxonomy of higher–level learning into course learning objectives.
- Conducted workshops for faculty and staff on web–based resources and techniques for addressing disruptive student behavior. (1995–1999)
Research Analyst – 1992 to 1994
- Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Honors
- Metropolitan Community College Heart of Hearts Award (2003)
- Recipient of peer–nominated annual college award as the employee who best demonstrates the “heart” of the College.
- Norman C. Harris Award (2002)
- Recipient of University of Michigan School of Education faculty nominated award for outstanding accomplishments in the community college field.
Publications
- Tomanek, J., VanWagoner, R., (2008). Taking Learning Seriously: A Comprehensive Adjunct Faculty Support System. Adjunct Advocate: May/June 2008, pp. 22-29.
- VanWagoner, R., Bowman, L.S., Spraggs, L.D. (2005). The Significant Community College. Community College Review. 33 (1), 38–52.
- VanWagoner, R. (2004). Strengthening General Education – Back to the Basics. Instructional Leadership Abstracts, 5 (9). Lubbock: NCIA.
- VanWagoner, R. (2004). Influencing the Perception of Organizational Change in Community Colleges. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 28, 1–13.
- VanWagoner, R. & Bradman, H. L. (2003). The Curriculum Design Studio: A 21st Century Alternative to the Curriculum Committee. Community College Journal, 73 (6), 73–77.
- VanWagoner, R. & Hoffman, S. Cole (2003). Engaging in Accreditation: Using Staff Development to Achieve Total Participation. A Collection of Papers on Self–Study and Institutional Improvement, Vol. 4. (pp. 52–54). Chicago: Higher Learning Commission.
- VanWagoner, R. (2003). Tips for Survival in a Forest of Change. Academic Leader, 19 (3), 8.
- Raftery, S. & VanWagoner, R. (2002). Using Learning Communities to Develop Basic Skills. Innovation Abstracts, 5 (9). Phoenix: League of Innovation.
- VanWagoner, R. (2002). The Influence of Institutional and Individual Characteristics on the Perception of Organizational Change in Colorado Community Colleges. Report provided to the Colorado Community College System.
- VanWagoner, R. (2002). How Institutional and Individual Characteristics Influence the Perception of Organizational Change. Dissertation Abstracts International, 63 (7), 2440. (UMI No. 3058069)
- VanWagoner, R. (2001). A Framework for Academic Planning: Engaging Faculty in Strategic Dialogue. Omaha, NE. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service, No. JC 010508)
- Brown, J.D. & VanWagoner, R. (2000). Organizational Climate and Institutional Effectiveness: An Overlooked Dimension of Institutional Effectiveness. Lakewood, CO. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service, No. ED 433754)
Presentations
- Leadership in Action
- (With Dr. R. Jubenville) National Council of Instructional Administrators Leadership Academy, April 2009, Phoenix, AZ
- A Comprehensive Approach to Transforming Vocational Education
- Association of Community College Trustees Annual Conference, September 2003, Denver, CO
- Using Staff Development to Engage in Accreditation
- (With S. Hoffman) Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association Annual Forum, April 2003, Chicago, IL
- Reorganization to Transformation: Making the most of your efforts
- (With T. Pensabene & J. Mangini) Consortium for Community College Development Summer Institute, June 2002, Kansas City, MO
- Placement Paradox: Students’ Right to Fail or Right to Succeed?
- ACT Nebraska State Conference, March 2000, Lincoln, NE
- Organizational Climate: An Overlooked Dimension of Institutional Effectiveness
- (With J.D. Brown) Association of Institutional Research, June 1999, Seattle, WA
- Global Gold Mine: Uncovering Your Institution’s Strengths Before Internationalizing.
- (With R. Russell) National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, May 1999, Denver, CO
- Lessons in Organizational Transformation (invited by Robert Barr as co–keynote, with L. Bowman)
- Aims Community College Staff Development Day, April 1999, Greeley, CO
- Using the Web for Student Services
- Community College Student Services Conference, February 1999, Denver, CO
- Organizational Transformation: Honoring the Past–Creating the Future
- (With L. Bowman & L. Spraggs) Conference on the Learning Paradigm, January 1999, San Diego, CA
- Understanding Organizational Culture to Improve Strategic Planning
- Society of College and University Planners, July 1998, Vancouver, BC
- Joint Discovery: An NCA Assessment Plan in Action
- (With V. Ingram, M. Smith, J.D. Brown) Colorado Regional Higher Education Assessment Conference, April 1996, Boulder, CO
- Institutional Effectiveness: A Labor of Love
- (With J. Parks–Andrews) Michigan Association of Institutional Research, October 1993, Cadillac, MI
Community & Professional Service
Current Service
- City of Utica
- City Master Plan Community Steering Committee (2009-present)
- The Kelberman Center
- Board of Directors – (2008-present)
- Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Board of Directors – (2008–present)
- Mohawk Valley EDGE
- Board of Directors, Executive Committee – (2007–present)
- Oneida County 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Initiative
- Community Chairperson (2008-present)
- School and Business Alliance
- Board of Directors – (2008–present)
- Stanley Center for the Arts
- Board of Directors – (2008-present)
- Arts in Education Committee Chair (2009-present)
- Presenting Committee (2008-present)
- United Way of Greater Utica
- Community Investment Committee – (2008–present)
- Utica Rotary
- Member – (2007–present)
- Utica Symphony
- Board of Directors – (2009-present)
Previous Service – 2007 to present
- American Red Cross
- Member, Utica Chapter Board of Directors (2007–2009)
- Volunteer Blood Donor (1991–1994, 2001–present)
- Member, Mile High Chapter Board of Directors, Denver, Colorado (1997–1998)
- Advisory Council Chairperson, Jefferson County, Colorado Branch (1995–98)
- Boy Scouts of America, Revolutionary Trails Council
- Board of Directors, Executive Committee – (2007–2009)
- City of Utica, Mayor¡¦s Transition Team
- Co–Chair, Education Committee (2008)
- The Genesis Group
- Board of Directors, Executive Committee – (2007–2009)
- National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA)
- Past–President, Executive Committee/Board of Directors (2007–08)
- President, Executive Committee/Board of Directors (2006–07)
- President–Elect, Executive Committee/Board of Directors (2005–06)
- Recording Secretary, Executive Committee/Board of Directors (2004–05)
- Member, Board of Directors (elected at–large representative) (2003–04)
- Society for College and University Planning
- Invited peer reviewer for Campus of the Future: Meeting of the Minds joint conference with facilities directors (APPA) and business officers (NACUBO) (2006)
- Invited peer reviewer for Decision Making and Resource Planning Academy (2005)
