Dr. Walt Tribley will talk about the community college mission and the significant changes that are changing the way colleges operate. In the last decade, higher education has faced austere funding shortages and the implementation of very prescriptive policies controlling how higher education (colleges and students) will be funded. From limits on the amount of federal financial aid a student receives to the so-called national completion agenda, this presentation will highlight the challenges and opportunities for community colleges and the students and communities they serve.

Dr. Tribley is the Superintendent/President of Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). Prior to joining MPC, Walt served in many academic administrative positions for Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, Washington. Over his 10.5 year career in Wenatchee, his responsibilities included primary leadership for a satellite campus in Omak, Washington, Chief Academic Officer, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and other administrative positions and duties. He was an active participant in the successful “Nurses for Tomorrow” fund drive in Wenatchee.

But, Walt’s first love is teaching and developing students and faculty. Walt started his academic career as a teacher. Earning tenure at Seminole Community College in Florida as a faculty member in Biology, he also was awarded an NSF grant which he used to develop biotechnology courses and outreach education programs for K-12 educators in Central Florida. He continued his work in biotechnology education at the University of Florida Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research for two years before going back to school for his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics at Washington State University. Walt was honored as the Outstanding Graduate Student in the College of Science while at WSU, and his research was awarded second prize at one of the international meetings of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Walt also worked as a scientist and manager in a biotechnology company that was attempting to develop biomarkers for gynecologic cancers.

When not working, Walt loves to Scuba Dive, fly fish, and coach volleyball. He is married to Jenny Kleffner and has three daughters, Katie, Megan, and Kristina.