My professional life and vision have been shaped by ten years of service in the University of Hawai′i system as an academic advisor, an instructor, and most recently as Coordinator of the Center of Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Technology (CELTT) at Kapi’olani Community College (KapCC).  My teaching and leadership praxis embody the principles of servant leadership.  Robert Greenleaf who coined the phrase in his 1970 essay “Servant as Leader” described servant leadership as follows:

"It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.  Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.  He or she is sharply different from the person who is leader first…the difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served.”

The concept of servant-leadership has influenced many managers and leaders, most recently in higher education.  This paradigm includes characteristics such as having a calling, listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, growth, and building community.  These traits complement and support, learning college principles, the mission of KapCC and my native Chamorro values.

As a community college professional, I strive for excellence in three major areas: teaching, leadership, and service.  The following sections describe my goals, objectives, activities, and assessment strategies in these three areas.

Teaching Goals

I hope that students I teach:

• recognize the value of technology in their personal and professional lives
• are able to use the computer to successfully navigate the oceans of information before them
• can  evaluate, synthesize, and convey information using a variety of formats and media
• use technology responsibly and ethically
• make good selections and applications of technology resources to complete course assignments
• view learning as a lifelong process as workers in an age where technology is ubiquitous and ever-changing

To achieve these ends, my teaching objectives are to transmit fundamental knowledge of computer operations and concepts and promote students’ acquisition of practical technology skills while fostering higher-order cognitive skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. I raise awareness of relevant ethical, social, and professional issues by linking students to resources relevant to information technology and professional organizations.

I endeavor to achieve these objectives through clear statements and examples of expected learning outcomes I begin with lectures accompanied by multimedia presentations using PowerPoint. I demonstrate skills students must acquire using various software applications and follow up with  hands-on experiences in which students acquire and hone their technology skills usually in group activities in which students discuss issues, share experiences, and solve problems as a team. I also include individual activities with question-and-answer periods at the start of most sessions during which I ask questions and call on students to respond.  This brief activity allows students to review content and allows me to assess individuals. For students who want more, I provide supplemental information and activities on a WebCT site discussed later in this document.

Student achievement of objectives is measured by an array of instruments. To assess problem solving programming skills I have in-class lab exercises. I use tests that measure knowledge of content and rationales for using specific applications, and tests that include challenging practical, hands-on problems wherein students demonstrate mastery of technology skills. I also use projects in which students demonstrate appropriate use of software to solve problems or create products. Finally, a cumulative final exam concludes each course.

Leadership Goals

As interim Coordinator of the CELTT, an academic support unit, I maintain these goals for those I manage:

1. act responsibly in the selection and use of technology in their work
2. leverage available resources whether they be human, virtual, or material to support achievement of goals
3. contribute ideas and expertise to help solve problems and create positive change
4. view themselves as essential employees of CELTT and the larger institution
5. achieve continuous growth as professionals

I achieve these goals by clearly and repeatedly communicating departmental and campus goals to the staff.   I apply learning college principles by informing employees of best practices in their respective fields and crafting an environment conducive to sharing of ideas and creativity resulting in a sense of community with people in the department and across campus.

I use a variety of methods including monthly staff meetings, individual performance assessment meetings, periodic work group meetings, email messages, and informational documents that link employees to resources relevant to their fields of expertise. I also assist and encourage employees to devise and follow a course of professional development that aligns with departmental tactical plans and college goals.

Employees’ achievement of objectives is evidenced by: written and verbal recommendations made by employees in their respective areas of expertise; positive results of surveys administered to extra-departmental clients; annual performance evaluations of each employee, including self-evaluative/reflective  statements; analysis of  completion times, professional handling, and other measures of effectiveness applied to service requests received by each work group; participation in extra-departmental activities such as New Student Orientation, Wo Innovations in Learning Day, workshops and committee work; and implementation of innovative solutions to departmental or campus problems.

Service Goals

I am privileged to have had wonderful educational and professional opportunities that allowed me to obtain expertise in the areas of information technology and educational technology.  That privilege carries with it a responsibility to apply my skills toward the betterment of our community.  Use of my talents in service of others is also necessary if I am to motivate my students to serve the community.  My goal in terms of community service is to create productive relationships with organizations devoted to the education of others, particularly minorities.   

Specific objectives in this area include:

• identify and establish relationships with non-profit organizations that focus on education
• offer my services as a computer consultant in the areas of database applications and staff technology training
• create customized database applications that improve their business processes and information management
• place and mentor student interns with the organizations to assist with database management, networking, staff training, and website maintenance
• make connections between faculty in the Business Education Department and external agencies for the purpose of establishing a ‘clientele’ so that students can work on real-world projects in their classes.

Achievement of objectives is evidenced by: formal consultant relationships with non-profit organizations; customized database applications used by these establishments to improve their work; placement of Information Technology interns with these organizations; mentorship of interns working on database, staff training, and website projects; and class projects created and used by students in Business Education classes for my community service clients.