For
many it’s hard to believe that it’s already been nearly
five years that EPCC President Richard Rhodes came into office. So,
is Rhodes to depart from the best place to start?
It was reported by Miguel Morales of the Johnson County Community
College Campus Ledger that on Feb. 8-9, Rhodes visited that Kansas
college for a scheduled interview, tour of the school and presentations.
JCCC has scheduled interviews for five other candidates.
After returning, Rhodes told El Conquistador he took the offer to
visit JCCC as an opportunity to see what was happening at a college
he highly regarded as entrepreneurial, innovative, and atop of his
list of prospective schools, but also felt the trip was a cathartic
experience.
EPCC
President, Richard Rhodes said he
was “homesick for El Paso” in Kansas.
Photo by Leslie Council
“After
a number of years, as president, you begin to question yourself about
how long is long enough and how long is too long,” said Rhodes.
“I just don’t want to overstay my welcome.” For
many, it took one man’s ideas and business savvy to bring EPCC
back up to standards as a healthy, growing, and respected school.
Before Rhodes arrived at EPCC in 2001, the school wentthrough some
turbulent times. For as many as five years, EPCC had a new president
or interim president for each year. Some presidents even left the
school in danger financially or low in morale.
“I admire Dr. Rhodes and think he’s done a lot for EPCC,”
said Arvis Jones, director of Student Leader and Campus Life. “He’s
put the institution back on the map. He has also put us in a positive
light because a lot of turmoil in the previous years,”Rhodes
said that during his interview he would catch himself homesick. “In
Kansas I caught myself, like a proud father, bragging about everything
that out kids were doing,” said Rhodes. “Not that they’re
all kids, but I’m just so proud of what’s going on here.”
In Dec. 2006, Rhodes was inducted into El Paso’s Hall of Fame
for the work he has accomplished at EPCC. He’s gained respect
and trust of the community through projects like: Salute to the Arts,
Dual Credit program, Transfer Centers for a smoother transition to
universities, Leadership Development Academy for faculty and students,
K-16 programs, Academic Excellence, and the College Readiness Consortium.
“We’re doing exciting things. I really feel like this
college is a family that really cares for the community,” said
Rhodes.
So it was even harder, for people like VV English Professor Ruth Peña,
to consider the possibility of his departure.
s“I think that during his tenure, there’s been a culture
of progress,” said Peña.
She said she felt almost grieved and said that Rhodes was always supportive
of instructors students and the arts. “Personally I would hate
to see him go,” said Jones, “but professionally for him
to make a career move at a benchmark college, this is a good time.
It’s ideal to leave when everything is going well.”
Though Rhodes said prior to his departure that he was “just
seeing if the school was a good fit,” he said afterward that
“it’s hard for me to visualize myself somewhere else.”
According to Carlos Armendariz, academic counselor and coordinator
for the Honor’s Program, EPCC has a stormy past that was stabilized
by Rhodes, but said like with any business there are problems.
“Like any institution there are issues that need to be addressed,”
Armendariz said. “This institution has been growing and as a
result there are things that we need to re-evaluate.”
If Rhodes did decide to move on, Armendariz didn’t think much
would change if a president with similar views were to come in. “Dr.
Rhodes has been instrumental with the number of students and partnerships
he’s derived,” said Armendariz.
Rhodes positively smiled and said that the challenges that EPCC faced
can be overcome. “As long as we all have that focus we can challenge
obstacles that come up, because they always will, but as long as we
focus on the student, we will make it through any of those.”
Rhodes said it’s hard for him to picture himself anywhere else,
especially with so many new projects underway.
“One of the most exciting times in the history of the college
is right now.”
