Elizabeth “Beth” Lewis, a candidate for the Del Mar College’s provost/VP of academic and student affairs position, met with faculty members and students for a meet- and-greet event April 27 in the Retama Room in the Harvin Center.
Lewis has worked in higher education for more than 25 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas before earning her master’s in English and doctorate in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University. She doesn’t limit her growth in her field and continues to grow by learning. From the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA she holds seven certificates in the Incident Command System, as well as being selected as an honorary commander at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio.
Lewis now serves as president at College of the Mainland, a position she has held since 2013.
“Del Mar has a great reputation especially under Dr. (Mark) Escamilla and I’ve known him for many years and I know what a great leader he is,” Lewis said about what attracted her to DMC. “Del Mar really has so much energy and so much growth that’s happening here.”
“Commitment — commitment both from employees, but especially from students,” Lewis said of what she looks for in a faculty, staff and students. “We are here to help students get what they want and that’s what I look for. Are we doing everything, we as community colleges doing everything for students to get where they want to be? And if we’re not, then we need to do better, we need to do other things. As for employees, I expect the same amount of commitment as I am to expect from myself.”
Two candidates for the position visited Del Mar for meet-and- greets earlier in the semester.
“We are thrilled to have so many good candidates that we extended our search,” said Teresa Klein, instructor of psychology.