New TVCC dean stresses technology

By Larry Meyer - Argus Observer
Monday, August 27, 2007 11:07 AM PDT

Eric Ellis, new dean of student services at Treasure Valley Community College, stands in a hallway at the school where students and prospective students handle academic business.

ONTARIO - As a former reporter and webmaster, the new Dean of Student Services at Treasure Valley Community College, Eric Ellis, is facing the challenges of his job with technological proficiency and drive.

Technology has become an expanding part of student life at the school.

Ellis was appointed to the position by TVCC President Jim Sorensen in July, and the appointment was ratified by the board this month during a recent meeting.

Ellis first joined TVCC as college webmaster, a position that he held until 1999, when the post of director of computer services became available. He applied and was given the position on a interim, or probationary status, until June 2000 until he was made permanent.

The position is now called information support services. “We do a awful lot things now,” Ellis said. Duties of the job include classroom systems, admissions and administration.

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Ellis had a good, nurturing mentor at TVCC, the school’s former Dean of Student Services, David Ryberg. “He (Ryberg) taught me a lot about management,” Ellis said. “He was a good mentor. In 2003, I decided to get a Master’s Degree. I was interested in teaching technology at TVCC.”

Taking classes online, Ellis was able to juggle most of his classes from Pepperdine University at home, except for three weeks — one week at a time through the year, when he traveled to the university’s main campus. Otherwise, he trudged through his masters program from his basement computer.

Ellis realized students can get an education in many different ways. “They don’t have to come to campus,” Ellis said.

Having completed his class work, Ellis said he is working on his dissertation, for a degree in educational technology, which was the subject of his masters. “Increasingly services are being delivered by technology,” he said, adding the challenging part is keeping it going.

Part of the learning curve for the new Dean of Administrative Services, involves familiarization with what people in various academic areas do. Besides the student services department, which include admission, counseling, financial aid and recruiting, other areas Ellis will oversee include student housing and student life.

Ellis grew up in Indian Valley and attended Albertson College of Idaho. He lives with his family in the Big Bend area, near Adrian. Before joining the TVCC staff, Ellis was a reporter at the Argus Observer.