This content was published: July 10, 1998. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Cascade Welcomes New Dean of Instruction
Photos and Story by Mark Evertz
PORTLAND — Portland Community College recently hired Virginia higher education leader Charles Sieracki to take the dean of instruction position at the Cascade Campus.
Highlighting his experience in community outreach and previous dean of instruction positions, PCC Cascade Executive Dean Mildred Ollee said Sieracki is a perfect fit for the Cascade Campus.
"Charlie has an internal drive for excellence and the enthusiasm to get the job done," she said. "His previous experience in similar positions in Virginia and community team-building skills made Charlie the right person for this position."
Prior to accepting the position at PCC, Sieracki served as the dean of Workforce and Community Development at Germanna Community College in Fredricksburg, Va., where he also held the position of dean of instruction from 1989 to 1997. Sieracki also held administrative and teaching positions at Thomas Nelson Community College in Virginia.
He received his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois, a master’s degree from Marquette University and a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Sieracki, who started in the position at PCC June 23, is eager to make a difference at Cascade. He praised the work of his predecessor, Don Johnson — who retired in June after nearly 30 years at PCC — and others at Cascade for their tireless efforts to benefit the community and the college. Sieracki said that will continue under his leadership, with the help of current staff and faculty, as well as new additions at the campus.
"I hope to keep our enthusiasm and focus while working with the creativity of the new members of the crew to renew our commitment to the community," he said.
On the job itself and relocating from the Northeast to the Northwest, Sieracki is equally excited.
"This is a wonderful opportunity in a great city, with a great community college serving a great city," enthused Sieracki. "I’m honored to be a part of that."
Sieracki will be responsible for providing primary leadership for planning, implementing, evaluating and coordinating the educational programs of Cascade Campus, and other administrative duties as assigned by Executive Dean Ollee.
The Cascade Campus, which is located at 705 N. Killingsworth St. in Portland, serves 8,700 students each year in the areas of job training, college transfer courses and self-improvement classes.