Distance Ed Continues Rapid Growth at Community Colleges

Community colleges reported an 18 percent increase in distance education enrollments in a 2007 survey released this weekend at the annual meeting of the American Association of Community Colleges, in Philadelphia.

The survey on community colleges and distance education is an annual project of the Instructional Technology Council, an affiliate of the AACC. The survey is based on the responses of 154 community colleges, selected to provide a representational sample of all community colleges. Last year's survey found community colleges reporting an increase in distance education enrollments of 15 percent...(read more)

Otto Lee named Vice Chancellor of San Diego Community College District

The San Diego Community College District is pleased to announce the appointment of Otto Lee to the post of vice chancellor of instructional services.

He has served as the dean of the school of business, computer studies and technologies at San Diego Mesa College from 2002 to the present. He also served as interim vice chancellor of instructional services, planning, and technology during the 2004-2005 academic year.

SDCCD district chancellor, Dr. Constance Carroll, was enthusiastic about the new vice chancellor appointment. "Otto Lee brings enormous talent and experience to this position. He has an excellent academic background in engineering and higher education, as well as considerable experience at both the university and community college levels. He has also distinguished himself at Mesa College, at the district level, and in the community as a high-energy, visionary, practical and effective leader. I am looking forward to his service as vice chancellor for our instructional programs."

Dean Lee sees enormous challenges ahead in meeting the higher educational and career preparation needs of the San Diego community. "As we become a global society, our partnerships must expand across industries to provide the cutting-edge education and training our residents will need to be successful in the years ahead," Lee observed. "I look forward to providing leadership to a dynamic and savvy district team that shares a commitment to excellence," he added.

Dean Lee holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Polytechnic University in New York, an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University, and is presently completing his doctorate in educational leadership and change at Fielding Graduate University.

Prior to his selection as dean at Mesa College, he had served as the founding director of the eBusiness Institute at Temple University following engineering and software management positions in General Dynamics and Unisys corporations.

Dean Lee has taught engineering and project management courses at the University of San Diego, Eastern University, Rosemont College, the University of Phoenix, and Cuesta Community College. He is a frequent presenter at professional engineering and management conferences as well as an author of numerous professional articles on theoretical engineering and management innovation topics.

He remains active in civic and professional associations. He has served as a director of the MIT Alumni Chapter, the Academy of Finance Advisory Board of Scripps Ranch High School, Federal Employees Scholarship Foundation, School of Engineering and Technology Advisory Board of National University, and the San Diego and Imperial Counties Regional Consortium of Occupational Deans.