The Enforcers

This is part one of a three-part series on the nine deans at North Lake College

Lee Crowley Dean of Educational Resources	What is your educational background? I received my bachelor of science from Lamar University in 1969, my M.Ed. from Texas A&M in 1973, and my Ph.D. from Texas A&M in 1978. How long have you been at North Lake? Since August 1978. How did you come about being dean of your department? I was originally hired as instructional developer and assumed responsibility for media services to support classroom faculty. In 1991 the position of dean of educational resources became vacant and I applied for the job. What has been your biggest contribution to North Lake? Initiating the integration of planning for technology into college division and budget planning. What is the best experience you have had being dean? Participating in the pursuit of college goals and seeing the results of those efforts. What is the worst experience you have had being dean? The most challenging experience was the dissolve of the partnership between the college and the Irving Public Library. Where do you see the future of your department heading? I want to expand information resources to support students and faculty beyond the main campus to the North, West and South campuses.
David Evans Dean of Visual and Performing Arts	What is your educational background? I have a bachelor’s and a master‘s degree in theater and speech, both from The University of North Texas, and a doctorate in higher education administration from East Texas State University. How long have you been at North Lake? I started in 1995 so this begins my tenth year. My, how time flies when you are having fun! How did you come about being dean of your department? I am the first full-time academic dean for Visual & Performing Arts. I was selected by a panel of faculty and administrators to take on this new position. What has been your biggest contribution to North Lake? My broad experience in so many of our departments and my desire to allow the faculty to be the experts. I value their involvement and contributions to our artistic community. What is the best experience you have had being dean? The opportunities I have had to participate as an administrator and a faculty member in the Rome Studies Abroad program. What an excellent opportunity to learn and travel! I think every student should take part in this excellent learning community environment. What is the worst experience you have had being dean? Not being able to attend all the events our Learning Center provides. There aren’t enough hours in the day to be at the myriad of events the Visual & Performing Arts Learning Center produces. Where do you see the future of your department heading? We are growing and looking forward to a new building in a few years to accommodate the growth in our programs and to provide some much needed facility improvements.
Michael Cooley Interim Dean of Construction and Technology	What is your educational background? I have a bachelor of science in construction technology from Louisiana State University, and masters of science in industrial technology from University of North Texas. How long have you been at North Lake? I was employed full-time as an assistant dean after 15 years as adjunct faculty in the Construction Technology Division. How did you come about being dean of your department? I improved the relationship between North Lake College and the construction industry we serve here in North Texas. What is the best experience you have had being dean? Following the success of the students who have been in our construction program. What is the worst experience you have had being dean? Watching some of our students having to drop from the programs because of financial, work relocation, or personal problems after having put considerable effort into their training. Where do you see the future of your department heading? Our program is growing in its scope and in the number of students just as the population and the construction industry demands are increasing here in North Texas.