Past president shares his leadership skills Darroch “Rocky” Young tells students his success story

Fostering an environment that’s open to discussion and provides the ability to see the long term goal are just some of the crucial components in being a visionary leader.

These are the words of Darroch “Rocky” Young, who was the Pierce College president from 1999-2003 and the namesake of Rocky Young Park. He spoke on the subject of visionary leadership to a group at the Great Hall on Monday.

The topic of his recently published book “A Walk Through Leadership” is tools and tips that could benefit leaders in any arena.

Young, who also served in faculty and administration positions at Santa Monica College and was Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), said the idea for the book came from his consulting work.

“I would be called into a college to help solve some narrow problem,”

Art Gallery students share their passions

Kayla Akil Roundup Reporter

It’s beguiling, it’s bold, but it’s beautiful.

Walking into an art gallery can bring many thoughts and feelings, but one thing that can never be denied is the emotions felt while looking at a particular piece whether elegant or exotic.

In the Pierce Art Gallery different artwork sits carefully framed on alabaster walls, some encased in special glass to protect the conditions of each piece and some laying in the open for viewers to pick up and observe.

The artwork in the gallery are not works from Picasso or Angelo, but from Pierce students whose art gives the gallery its unique aura upon entering the facility.

As the student showcase nears, Afshin Shidanshidy, a second year assistant and work-study student of the art gallery, busies himself with preparing the gallery.

“The art that is admitted can be any student’s art that was done through classes from last year spring up until this year that can be turned in,” Shidanshidy said.

“I like to see everything: sculpture projects, architectural models, 3D program presentation boards, and ceramics,” Shidanshidy said, adding that the art is then categorized and evaluated.

Students submit their artwork to the showcase as part of the curriculum of many classes in order to complete the semester.

“I’m looking to see variety of different types of pieces,” art professor Peter Kraus said. “You can tell what the young people need by their art, helps shape my curriculum.”

One of the art workers is a second year Pierce student, Jose Flores.

“I am looking for good art,” Flores said.

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Young said. “And we would work and we would solve that problem but it was clear that it would only be a matter of time and there would be another problem because the real issue wasn’t the specific problem we were solving. The issue was the leadership.”

To combat the narrow way of looking at problems, Young developed the idea of visionary leadership. The concept is to consider where you currently are and envision where you want your position and where you want to eventually be.

“We live in a society that’s very short term oriented,” Young said. “We don’t think long term whether it’s congress, or the board of trustees, there are tendencies to think in very short term segments and as a result there is not a lot of encouragement to be visionary.”

Having a vision was essential to Young’s message. Whatever organization one leads, the idea is to develop a big picture of how to make that organization distinctly better. That means, according to Young, not just improving what is there but standing out from other similar institutions and having them copy your solutions or innovations.

Young provided ways to become a visionary leader and one main component was time management. He said his time as the Pierce College president showed him that the people who come to the president’s office are the people with complaints, and problems are what take up your time.

“You’ll never have enough time in a single day to do everything you want to accomplish,” Young said.

By recognizing this and practicing time management you can begin tackling problems in a more controlled and focused manner Young said.

Lizette Perez, 18, is a psychology major hoping to work with children.

“I think it’s important to manage your time, your students, and your work load,” Perez said. “I want to be a counselor and making time for everyone is something I always want to remember.”

Utilizing what you have available to you is one way to get around the common problem of things like

Meet your new ASO Electees

Student government shares goals and plans

Alex Oloo, ASO president

“I really want to make this a success and I’m proud of the students that we have. A lot of people motivated me and supported me all of the way and I don’t want to let them down.”

Jonathan Vazquez, ASO vice president

“I want to give people their own voice and some people in ASO have a dominant voice and are heard, while some are too shy to speak and they just don’t say anything. I’m happy to hear everyone.”

Michael McGee, ASO treasurer

“I wanted to really make sure the finances are in order by creating a budget each semester. I hope to bring a lot of excitement to the position next year.”

Lakshika Ruwanpathirana, ASO Club Council president

“I hope in my career and in my year as the Club Council president, that I can talk to the students and become a voice for them.” underfunding or limited resources. Student success is linked to the well being of a community college and being able to have an open dialogue and work with institutions before and beyond a community college is essential, according to Young.

“I ways relished a radical idea,” Young said. “I thought I didn’t have a complete vision if I didn’t have at least one really radical idea in there.”

Young discussed cultivating an environment in which any idea could be brought to the leadership. Listening and genuine caring were some things Young highlighted in his speech.

“You’re trying to get to a place that welcomes ideas,” Young said. “If someone comes to you with an idea you can usually find something in it to support.”

Barbara Anderson, the dean of Academic Affairs and coordinator of the event, hinted at an idea that she and Donna Accardo, chair of the English Department, have in the works.

Club Calendar

Wednesday, May 7

Alpha Gamma Sigma meets at 1 p.m. in BUS 3206.

The Psychology Club meets at 1 p.m. in the ASO Conference Room.

The Political Science Club meets at 1 p.m. in the ASO Office.

The Philosopy Society meets in the ASO Conference Room at 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 8

The Anthropology Society meets at noon in CNC 3808.

Alpha Gamma Sigma meets at 1 p.m. in BUS 3206

The French Club meets at 2 p.m. in the ASO Office.

Monday, May 12 Film Club meets at 3:40 p.m. in BEH 1310.

Habitat for Humanity meets at 4 p.m. in BEH 1309.

Tuesday, May 13

The Architecture Club meets at 3 p.m. in AT 3800

The Business Economics Students Association meets at 3 p.m. in the ASO Conference Room.

To add your club events to the calendar, contact cjohnson.roundupnews@gmail.com