Two Key Positions Filled at MCC

Manchester, CT – (May 16, 2006) . . . Manchester Community College is pleased to announce the following appointments among its staff:

G. Duncan Harris, of Windsor, has accepted the appointment of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and will serve as a member of the management team at MCC.

In his new role, Harris will be responsible for providing assistance to the Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Alice Savage, in all areas of academic administration, including faculty staffing; faculty development and evaluation; curriculum and course development; instructional innovation, resource and quality; as well as in oversight of the Library, and educational technology and distance learning programs. Harris will also support and manage the development and implementation of the college’s academics goals and strategic plan.

Harris has worked at MCC for ten years. Prior to accepting this appointment, Harris was the Counselor/Coordinator of Academic Advising. During 2000-2001, he was the Interim Director of the Center for Student Development and responsible for the overall administration, supervision and integration of Counseling, the College Learning Center, Minority and International Student Programs, Adults in Transition and Women’s Programs.

Harris has been involved in various aspects of the college, including teaching in the communications and the computer information technology departments and serving as President of the Minority Caucus at MCC. He currently serves on the Governing Board of Great Path Academy and is affiliated with several state and national organizations, serving as the facilitator for the Non-Violence Alliance in Middletown, President of the Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, member of the University of Connecticut African American Alumni Council, and Co-Chair of the Health Professions Initiative Advisory Board at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Harris holds a bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and has a master of science degree in counseling from Central Connecticut State University. He is currently on sabbatical finishing his doctorate of education at the Fischler Graduate School of Education at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Dr. Joanne Russell, of Manchester, has been appointed the new Director of the Liberal Arts Division at MCC after serving as interim Director since December 2005.

In her role as Director of the Liberal Arts Division, Dr. Russell manages the design and development of courses and curricula and the supervision and direction of the Liberal Arts faculty and staff. In addition, she is responsible for budget and fiscal management as well as program evaluation and assessment.

Dr. Russell has a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and a Ph.D in biochemistry, from the University of Connecticut. She recently participated in HERS-New England Management Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration at Wellesley College. Dr. Russell has also served on an accrediting team at a community college in Maine and has conducted numerous workshops for middle and high school students.

Dr. Russell has served as co-chair of the MCC Science Department for almost five years. She taught biology and general chemistry from 1995 to 1999. She also developed and taught a forensic science class entitled Crime Scene Investigations for the Excursions in Learning summer program offered at MCC for children in kindergarten to 8th grade.

She is a founding member of the Connecticut Association of Biology Teachers and won the Teaching Assistant of the Year Award in chemistry at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Russell has contributed to several books and journals, and has been active with Great Path Academy at MCC.

Prior to joining MCC, Dr. Russell taught at the University of Connecticut, the Master’s School in West Simsbury and the Cornerstone Christian School in Manchester.

Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at
Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.