New V.P. of Academic Affairs Berger brings experience om Valley College

Andrew Escobar Roundup Reporter

Starting off this fall semester with students attempting to add classes and looking for parking have been one of the newest faculty members responsibilities in organizing by making sure things run smoothly at Pierce.

Sheri Berger, the new vice president of Academic Affairs originally came from Los Angeles Valley College where she was a math professor and was promoted to dean of Academic affairs totaling her time there to 15 years in 2012.

Berger described her motivation for taking on the position of vice president as being able to have the ability to help students.

“This position oversees all of instruction and all of the different programs that we offer to our students,” Berger said.

“I wanted to be able to help our students at that more global perspective.”

Coordinating the curriculum at Pierce by creating and organizing programs offered on campus is something she finds fulfilling in being able to help students reach

“She understands about offering the best possible courses, and she really cares about her students.”

-Rudy Besikof Valley College Dean of Academic Affairs is then locally dispensed through a series of hoses and drip valves.

The valves have a drip zone that is centered in the direction of the roots, to minimize the Farm Center’s water consumption.

McBroom believes that education is the most important factor in water conservation. The Farm Center’s attractions are also designed to keep the community environmentally informed.

“I can probably water 2000 linear feet of tomatoes, for the same amount of water you use for your shower,” said McBroom, “You model by example. That’s the key.”

The Metropolitan Water District’s website “Be Water Wise,” provides financial incentives for businesses, agriculture, and institutions, who achieve their goals. With the rapid decline of our water resources and due to weather conditions, much of the State’s

Gardner Than Ta is one of the landscapers on campus, who have been installing and working on a water control system for over two years. Currently the system is not ready for use.

“This is a big problem. Many of the aqueducts are less than half full. The drought is really serious.” Ta said.

It has been a challenge for campus gardeners to maintain watering cycles, due to low pressure issues. The crew has had to alternate the sprinkler systems, in order to irrigate within the restriction. The gardening staff waters daily from 6 to 9 a.m. across the campus and only on weekdays. their academic goals.

“My boss Mr. Nieman gave us specific guidelines as to how to conserve water on campus,” Gardening Supervisor Thaun Vu said.

Paul Nieman also wrote in an email, that the college is working on a sustainable system. It would allow water to be collected at “The Pit” on campus, instead of allowing it to flow down to the LA River.

The Pit is the large open field, where the Pierce women’s soccer team hosts many of its home games and is located between Parking Lot 7 and the softball field.

“I’m a rules-structured person and in curriculum, there are a lot of rules,” Berger said.“You can’t just go off into left field.”

Overseeing the enrollment at Pierce, Berger not only coordinates the class schedules but also manages the low enrollment courses offered on campus that are necessary for students to take.

“It’s a fine balancing act,” Berger said.

There are many rules when planning a curriculum, but Berger brings an extensive knowledge of these regulations and how to develop classes that comply.

One of Berger’s former associates at Los Angeles Valley College, Dean of Academic Affairs Rudy Besikof shared her understanding of the importance of managing a community college and its curriculum.

“Sheri takes knowledge of community college to a whole new level,” Besikof said.

“During her time here, I was floored by her knowledge of curriculum.”

Besikof also made it clear that Berger prioritizes her students and their education above everything else.

“She understands about offering the best possible courses, and she really cares about her students,” Besikof said.

Berger has not only proved herself amongst her past coworkers at Los Angeles Valley College she has already made an impression on the Academic Affairs faculty at Pierce. Mary Anne Gavarra-Oh, a dean of Academic Affairs at Pierce also noticed her hard work.

“We’re going in with an experienced vice president,” Gavarra-Oh said.

Richard Russell / Special to the Roundup

Sheri Berger, Vice President of Academic Affairs, poses for a portrait in the Academic Affairs Department.

Her main goal as vice president is creating more associate degrees for students so they can transfer on to a California State University. To do this, it requires Berger to work closely with the faculty involved at the Pierce’s Academic Senate.

“I look forward to working with the faculty to develop more of these degrees, because I think in the long run they help our students make a smoother transition to the CSUs,” Berger said.

Outside of work, Berger is a wife and mother of a 9-year-old son as she manages her personal life with the same motivation in her professional life.

Although Berger has only been at Pierce for a short amount of time she is already seeing the similarities between Pierce and Valley College making a smooth transition.

“Everyday is a new thing. It’s like putting pieces of a puzzle together, and everyday I get a clearer picture,” Berger said.