Southwestern announces new VP of Instruction

Southwestern Oregon Community College has named Valerie Martinez its new Vice President of Instruction and Chief Instructional Officer.

Martinez, who has more than 20 years of college teaching and administrative experience, is coming from the Montana State University Billings College of Technology, where she served two years as Associate Dean for Student Learning. She also is knowledgeable about community colleges in Oregon, having served eight years as Dean of Instruction at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. Martinez arrived on campus July 7.

“What I do best is identify systems that help people perform better,” Martinez said. “A big part of that is building relationships. There is a huge opportunity here to strengthen and support instruction.”

Martinez also has served as Extended Campus Director for Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., and as an instructor at Bismarck State College in North Dakota and Laramie County Community College in Wyoming. Martinez also brings private business experience to her position, having served in management roles for Newmont Mining Corporation in Nevada and Computers Unlimited in Montana.

“I chose to apply at Southwestern because of the great legacy that good instructors have created here,” she said. “Southwestern has been at the forefront of many instructional initiatives and it’s a privilege for me to be around people with that innovative mindset.”

Along with an associate degree in Secondary Education from Northwest College, Martinez holds a baccalaureate degree in Business Education from Eastern Montana College and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wyoming.

“We at Southwestern are exceedingly pleased that Valerie Martinez is joining our team to lead our instructional area toward continued innovative and excellent educational programming for the students and community members of the South Coast,” Southwestern President Dr. Judith Hansen said.

Press Release Date: July 28, 2008