Mission
The Office of Academic Affairs provides leadership to advance excellence in teaching
and learning through fiscally responsible academic programs and related services for
students, faculty, and staff.
Vision
Serve as a leader providing outstanding educational pathways and partnerships to foster
vibrant futures for our students and the Monterey Peninsula community.
We value service and leadership that includes:
- Collaboration
- Effective Communication
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Innovation
- Student Success
Stay Updated
2024-25 Academic Calendar 2024-25 Final Exam Schedule
We look forward to helping you launch your bright future at MPC!
The Office of Academic Affairs oversees the administration of academic and career programs, and continuing education at our campuses in Monterey, Marina, Seaside and Online. Our responsibilities include curriculum development and approval, catalog development, academic calendar, scheduling, faculty/staff hiring and development, and other functions related to the academic operations of the college.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Jon Knolle, and the Deans of Instruction are located in the Administration Building (Office #120) on the Monterey campus. The academic leadership team along with their areas of responsibility is listed below:
*Contact information for the Office of Academic Affairs can be found in our Staff Directory.
| Administrators | Associates |
|---|---|
|
Jon Knolle, Ed.D. - Vice President of Academic Affairs (Areas of Responsibility: Academic Affairs, Accreditation, Curriculum & Instruction, Enrollment Management, Faculty Hiring & Development) |
Robyn Drake - Administrative Assistant |
|
Leslie De Rose - Interim Associate Dean of Instruction—Career Education (Areas of Responsibility: Dental Assisting, Fitness Trainer Program, Horticulture, Medical Assisting, Nutrition, Fire Protection Technology, Police Academy, Strong Workforce (Grant), Perkins/Transitions (Grant), Public Safety Training Center in Seaside) |
Jill Cavanaugh - Unit Office Manager |
|
Jessie Betancourt - Director—Dual Enrollment & K-12 Partnerships |
|
|
Jeannie Kim - Dean of Instruction—Liberal Arts (Areas of Responsibility: Creative Arts Division, Humanities Division, Social Sciences Division, Basic Skills (English), General Education Curriculum (Liberal Arts), Guided Pathways, Older Adult Program) |
Marilu Muniz - Administrative Assistant |
|
Jeff Sundquist - Dean of Instruction—Library, Learning Resources, and Online Education (Areas of Responsibility: Library, Online Education, Adult Education Consortium - Pathways and Programs, Adult Education (Block Grant), Dual Enrollment with High Schools, Student Tutoring) |
Skyler Rodriguez - Administrative Assistant |
|
John Skellenger - Dean of Instruction—Career & Technical Education (CTE), Public Safety, and Workforce Development (Areas of Responsibility: Administration of Justice, Automotive Technology, Business, Computer Information Systems (Networking & Cyber Security), Computer Science (Programming & Software Development, Work Experience Education, Elementary Teacher Education, Fashion, Hospitality, Emergency Medical Technician, Regional Economic Workforce, Development Programs & Pathways, Contract Education, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Programs) |
Ana Cynthia Ellis - Administrative Assistant Esther Chaidez - Director of Workforce Development Carla Becerra - Categorical Services Coordinator - Work-based Learning Employer Engagement |
|
Alexis Bollin - Interim Director of Continuing & Professional Education |
|
|
Vincent van Joolen, Ph.D. - Dean of Instruction—STEM (Areas of Responsibility: Life Science Division, Phsyical Science Division, Kinesiology Division, School of Nursing, Basic Skills (Math), General Education Curriculum (STEM), Pathways to University, Marina, Campus Scheduling, STEM-Related Grants
|
Alicia Rocha - Administrative Assistant Herbert Cortez - Associate Dean of STEM Lynn Kragelund - Director of Nursing Christian Smith - MESA Director |
Academic Divisions
Division Office: Business, Math & Computer Science (BMC: Building 18)
Telephone: (831) 646-4071
Division Chair: Molly Jansen
Office Manager: Yosselin Berrueco
MPC’s Career Education division offers a variety of classes, programs, and services for the many different needs of students and working professionals who want to advance their careers in administration of justice, auto technology, business, computer science, fashion design and merchandising, hospitality, and real estate.
Keep your skills current by taking a course on something new. Complete a certificate or degree program to prepare yourself for entering an exciting new career. Or, complete the first two years of your college education then transfer to a university including some great local options.
Division Office: Art Studio Building (AS: Building 33)
Telephone: (831) 646-4200
Division Chair: Jamie Dagdigian
Office Manager: Tiffany Thomas
The Creative Arts Division houses the Art, Drama, Graphic Arts, Music and Photography departments. There are nine physical buildings, including an art gallery. There is a full spectrum of classes in which students may obtain an associate degree, transfer to four-year institutions, or achieve personal enrichment. The Art, Drama, Music and Photography departments present performances, exhibits and demonstrations on an ongoing basis.
Division Office: Humanities/Support Services (HSS: Building 20)
Telephone: (831) 646-4100
Division Chair: Keith Eubanks
Office Manager: Michele Brock
The Humanities Division offers transferable lower-division instruction in the following subjects: Communications, English, English as a Second Language, Humanities, Linguistics, Philosophy, Speech Communication, American Sign Language, French, Japanese, and Spanish. The division also features a learning center: the Reading and Writing Center.
Division Office: Kinesiology Building (PE /GYM): Building 25)
Telephone: (831) 646-4220
Division Chair: Erin O'Hare
Office Manager: Amber Mettler
The Kinesiology Division offers many opportunities for participation in individual and team sports, fitness activities and a wide variety of dance forms. Lecture classes cover topics from Introduction to Kinesiology, Fitness Anatomy and Kinesiology, Fitness and Wellness Strategies, Fitness Exercise Physiology, and Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries. There are classes to enable individuals of all ages and abilities to enhance their lives through physical activity.
The Kinesiology Division encompasses six departments: Physical Education, Physical Fitness, Kinesiology, Dance, Adapted Physical Education, and Athletics. The Massage Therapy Program is part of the Physical Fitness Department.
Division Office: Life Science Building (LS112: Building 14)
Telephone: (831) 646-4125
Division Chair: Heather Faust
Office Manager: Rosa Arroyo
The Life Science Division offers high-quality instructional programs to students pursuing transfer to four-year institutions, occupational certificates/degrees, professional continuing education and special interests by offering courses designed for life-long learning. The division staff serves as instructional support and as informational resources to students, faculty and the community.
Division Office: Physical Science Building (PS-109A: Building 15)
Telephone: (831) 646-4257
Division Chair: John Cristobal
Office Manager: Scott Gunter
Our Physical Science Division is dedicated to providing high-quality instruction in the hard sciences, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and more. Through engaging coursework, hands-on lab experiences, and cutting-edge technology, we empower students to explore the principles that shape the natural world.
Division Office: Social Science Building (SS 105: Building 12)
Telephone: (831) 646-4160
Division Chair: Lauren Blanchard
Office Manager: Leslie Perez Palma
Our Social Science Division offers high-quality instruction across a wide range of academic programs, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and more. By exploring human behavior, societal structures, and cultural dynamics, our courses provide students with the tools to understand and address the complexities of the modern world.