Your future, our focus
POWELL, Wyo. - Gerald Giraud of Oglala Lakota College in South Dakota will be the next vice president for academic affairs at Northwest College.
Currently a vice president for instruction and chief academic officer, Giraud has also served as director of assessment and institutional research at Oglala. He begins his duties at Northwest Aug. 1.
“The search committee appreciated Dr. Giraud’s quiet and thoughtful presence during the interview process,” said Rob Koelling, NWC humanities division chair and head of the search committee. “They were impressed with his insights and approach to dealing with difficult academic issues.”
NWC President Paul Prestwich echoed Koelling’s observation, saying, “We’re pleased to have someone with Dr. Giraud’s experience and expertise join the Northwest College team.”
Giraud holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, and political science from Regents College of the State University of New York, a master’s in educational psychology and a doctorate in cultural and psychological studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Prior to Oglala, he was an associate professor at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha, where he was involved in nursing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Giraud has a background in statistics, research methods, and assessment, and is a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission.
“I am impressed with every aspect of Northwest College,” Giraud said, “particularly the staff and faculty I met during the interview process. I look forward to supporting the academic excellence and creative efforts of faculty, and to providing leadership to advance the mission and vision of the college.”
He said the immediate challenge he’ll tackle when he arrives in August is a Higher Learning Commission accreditation focus visit in the spring of 2013. The visit will focus on shared governance, assessment and strategic planning, all issues that are central to the academic mission of the college.
“My first priority,” Giraud said, “will be to assure our best effort in demonstrating the high quality of Northwest College.”
Giraud was selected from a nationwide pool of 55 candidates, four of whom were brought to campus for personal interviews.
