By Sarah Stover
Dr. Jennifer Brezina was promoted from Associate Vice President to Vice President for Academic Affairs at Volunteer State Community College on Aug. 1.
Before serving as the Associate Vice President, Brezina served as the Dean of Humanities at Volunteer State Community College and before that at the College of the Canyons, a Southern California-based community college. During her time at College of the Canyons, she was the Interim Dean of Community and Continuing Education and full-time faculty.
She earned a BA in English from UCLA (specializing in women’s studies), a MA in English from San Diego State, and a PhD in English from the University of California, Riverside. She also earned a graduate certificate in Online Teaching and Learning from California State University, East Bay.
She has taught English at both community colleges and four-year universities. Having worked at the community college level for more than two decades, she said that she believes in the community college mission, work she calls “rewarding.” She’s taught classes ranging from developmental reading to critical thinking/advanced composition, worked with community-based ESL and GED programs focused on basic literacy skills for adults, and worked summer career exploration camps for junior high students and college honor students about to transfer to university. “I love that community colleges are places where students can come at any stage in their lives with any level of academic skills and receive a high-quality education,” Brezina said.
Brezina said that she believes in setting high standards but also believes inspiring students through strong support will enable them to be successful.
“I am very much looking forward to continuing with Vol State in this new role. In particular, I am focused right now on how I can best support faculty and students as we work through the changes to fall semester due to the pandemic. I have been very impressed with the creativity, persistence, and resilience of Vol State’s faculty, staff, and students this year, and I am proud to be part of the Vol State community in this new way,” said Brezina.
“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Brezina as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs,” said VSCC president Dr. Jerry Faulkner, “Dr. Brezina came to us first as the Dean of the Humanities Division and then served as Assistant Vice President. She has demonstrated her leadership abilities and her dedication to the college and its mission. I look forward to serving with her as we work together to move the college forward.”
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