2008 Woodie Awards
Provost candidate values open admissions, sympathizes with demands on nontraditional students
Adrienne Sabo, Editor in Chief
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
Vying for the position of provost, the second of three candidates visited Youngstown State University this week.
An open forum with students was held Monday morning in Kilcawley Center's James Galley. Santos Hernandez, who has served as dean and professor of the social work program at the University of Texas at Arlington for 10 years, addressed questions at the open forum for students.
One of the reasons Hernandez said he wanted to come to YSU was that he's never been to this part of the country before.
"I think it's a good fit," he said.
Hernandez said with a 17-year background in academic administration, provost seems the next logical step.
"YSU is congruent with the things I value about education," he said.
He said he understands the demands on nontraditional students. While advising at UT-Arlington he said he was surprised by how much some students juggle.
"That's what I see in Youngstown," he said.
The open admissions policy is something Hernandez said registers with his values of higher education.
"Education is about investing - not to gate keep people out of an education."
During the open forum he stressed the importance of engaging students in their education at YSU. He said studies show that the more engaged students are, the likelier it is that they'll stay around.
He said he does not like labeling students. Remedial classes carry a stigma for those enrolled.
"Even good students need the opportunity to be better students," he said.
The high population of commuter students at YSU has its dynamics, just like residential students have their own dynamics, he said. Hernandez referred again to engaging students at the university.
Hernandez addressed some of the challenges that would come along with the position, including preparing faculty to better teach students, finding resources to sustain the school, and balancing students and faculty relations.
The final candidate, Gerard Voland, will visit campus Thursday and Friday. An open forum with students is scheduled for Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Kilcawley Center's Ohio Room.
An open forum with students was held Monday morning in Kilcawley Center's James Galley. Santos Hernandez, who has served as dean and professor of the social work program at the University of Texas at Arlington for 10 years, addressed questions at the open forum for students.
One of the reasons Hernandez said he wanted to come to YSU was that he's never been to this part of the country before.
"I think it's a good fit," he said.
Hernandez said with a 17-year background in academic administration, provost seems the next logical step.
"YSU is congruent with the things I value about education," he said.
He said he understands the demands on nontraditional students. While advising at UT-Arlington he said he was surprised by how much some students juggle.
"That's what I see in Youngstown," he said.
The open admissions policy is something Hernandez said registers with his values of higher education.
"Education is about investing - not to gate keep people out of an education."
During the open forum he stressed the importance of engaging students in their education at YSU. He said studies show that the more engaged students are, the likelier it is that they'll stay around.
He said he does not like labeling students. Remedial classes carry a stigma for those enrolled.
"Even good students need the opportunity to be better students," he said.
The high population of commuter students at YSU has its dynamics, just like residential students have their own dynamics, he said. Hernandez referred again to engaging students at the university.
Hernandez addressed some of the challenges that would come along with the position, including preparing faculty to better teach students, finding resources to sustain the school, and balancing students and faculty relations.
The final candidate, Gerard Voland, will visit campus Thursday and Friday. An open forum with students is scheduled for Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Kilcawley Center's Ohio Room.
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