Recently resigned: Dr. Mark Breitenberg Dean, Humanities & Design Sciences & Tracy Poon Tambascia, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
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Date: December 11, 2008
To: All Students, Chairs, Faculty and Staff
From: Frank L. Ellsworth and Nik Hafermaas
It is with mixed emotions that we are letting you know that Dr. Mark Breitenberg will be leaving Art Center, and has accepted the position of Provost at California College of the Arts (CCA), located at its two campuses in San Francisco and Oakland. This is a significant appointment that will enable Mark to not only expand his professional reach, but to make an even larger contribution to the world of art and design education.
Mark will assume his new position on February 1, 2009. We are very pleased, however, that Mark will stay at Art Center for the first two weeks of Spring Term, in order to ensure a smooth transition.
Mark has a long history at Art Center, where he has been a passionate advocate around the world for the College, its educational programs, and the importance of design to business, industry and society. During Mark’s time here we have been impressed with his dedication to modeling the best of academic collaboration not only with all of our Education departments, but also with such critical functions as Admissions, Development, International Initiatives and Designmatters, and Marketing and Communications.
Many of you may not know that Mark joined Art Center in 1998 as a part-time instructor in Grad Art and Liberal Arts & Sciences. Motivated by his commitment to providing students with the general knowledge they need to succeed as designers, Mark became a full-time instructor in 1999, and then assumed a number of increasingly influential roles: Chair of Liberal Arts & Sciences (2000-2004); Dean, Undergraduate Education (2004-2007); and currently Dean, Humanities & Design Sciences (2007-present).
In these capacities, he developed a number of new initiatives and programs, including: a new liberal arts and sciences curriculum based on rigor and relevance in support of the art and design studio departments; a comprehensive writing program, including The Writing Center; a new business curriculum; an expanded commitment to design research; international collaborations with INSEAD and Tama Art University; and expanding the Toyota Lecture Series into what will debut next term as The Big Picture lecture series available to all students, faculty and staff.
We are very grateful for Mark’s many contributions, which will continue to enrich Art Center’s offerings and experience for years to come. Please join us in wishing him well in his new position.
Sincerely,
Frank L. Ellsworth Nik Hafermaas
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Date: December 12, 2008
To: All Students, Chairs, Faculty and Staff
From: Frank L. Ellsworth
I am sorry to let you know that Tracy Poon Tambascia, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, has advised me that she will be leaving Art Center to pursue other professional interests. Her last day on campus will be January 9, 2009.
Since joining Art Center in 2005, Tracy has worked closely with student services departments to shape the student experience positively, from the very first day all the way through the transition to our alumni community. Her student-centered approach to examining policies, programs and practices has ensured both equity and consistency in outcomes. Overall, Tracy has brought to her responsibilities a professional and knowledgeable perspective, as well as a genuine concern for our students and their experience here.
Although we have worked together just a short time, I discovered early on Tracy’s commitment to being a team player and making things work. These are attributes that she will carry on with her into her next chapter.
I know that each of you who has worked with Tracy will join me in wishing her well.
Yours Sincerely,
Frank L. Ellsworth
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13 comments:
Good riddance Tracy Tambascia. I wonder how much money she has burned through over the year. It's appalling that Art Center appointed her, and I am happy not to have to see her for the rest of my studies.
Thanks.
Frank
Frank,
If you can't say anything positive, then don't. If you are going to say "she has burned through over the year. " then back that up. If its just conjecture, then keep it to yourself. We've had enough anonymous mud slinging here and on Nathan's blog. It's a new year and time to make changes for the good of the school rather than leave spurious comments.
Ophelia
is it true that ericka clarke is leaving too?
Yes, it was officially announced a few days ago.
Ellsworth is impressive in his ability to spend the dollars wisely. Art Center never had any business having "international initiatives".
International initiatives was one of Koshalek's key strategies. Is Ericka leaving or being pushed out or does it really matter?
It doesn't matter anymore if she is being pushed. Clearly all of these initiatives are dead (as they should be). How many senior VP's does a small school need? Not that many.
pushed or pulled, will anyone notice? who's next? Still seems fat on top.
I am appalled by the comments about Tracy Tambascia. I worked under her and she was a wonderful boss, a just, thoughtful, and kindly human being, and a great leader. She does not deserve to be trashed this way.
You should have seen all the students who showed up at her office on her last day, with cake and flowers and cards, to bid her farewell. It was obvious she was very much loved and respected.
There was nothing irresponsible or careless about her, in any way. Perhaps "Frank" is one of those many students who tried to sob-story his way into her office to get special treatment when he wanted a waiver of a fee or some other rule or policy of the school. She saw plenty of those, and her response was always the same: 'That's a sad story, but the answer is still no."
We who worked under Tracy had nothing but the greatest respect for her firmness, her intelligence and her integrity.
She believed in the Art Center, and wanted the best for the school and everyone who worked or studied there.
"That's a sad story, but the answer is still no."
You forgot to add "Art Center neeeds ta gets PAID!!!"
"pushed or pulled, will anyone notice? who's next? Still seems fat on top."
The CTO, SVP of International Initiatives, three people in the Architecture & Planning Office, three positions in the President's office... That's not a bad start for less than six months. I'd guess there is more to come, but these things don't happen instantly.
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