Defending My Tenure

It is with great pride, that I present the work that I have accomplished, and the work that I am continuing to accomplish for the Visual Communications Department at Triton College. The experience and knowledge gained from working in VIC for over 16 years, has allowed me to understand, first hand, the strengths, and weaknesses of the department.

When the opportunity to apply for a full time position opened up, I was prepared with a plan, outlined in a presentation, focusing on the future of the Visual Communications Department.  As I began this journey in the Fall of 2019, I could have never predicted we would be facing a global pandemic beginning in Spring of 2020. COVID has made VIC and the world pivot from the way things were. Some things have had to pause, while other things have made great progress, due to the effects of COVID.

The information below details the plan I have been working on, and the progress that has been made in the last 5 semesters of my tenure track. Also, included are my tenure requirements demonstrating my participation in college committees, professional development, semester reviews, and my presentation for the Center for Teaching Excellence.

The Future of VIC Presentation and Progress

To view the presentation click here

Saving the College Money - Strategies for reducing department overhead - Goal Achieved.  

In an effort to reduce department overhead, VIC downsized from three classrooms to two, in the Fall of 2019. Keeping T-133, and T-142, and returning T-136. This goal was able to be accomplished by strategic scheduling of classes. By downsizing to two classrooms, we were able to eliminate 22 iMac computers from the budget. Additionally, we downsized the office space, returning T-151, and T-149 to the college. The VIC office is now condensed to T-153. 

VIC costs effectiveness is outlined in the TK20 report here.

Streamlining Curriculum - Strategies to Streamline the Curriculum - Goal Achieved.  

The VIC curriculum has been restructured to facilitate completion by trimming the certificates down to 30 credit hours. (The Digital Photography Certificate will reflect the 30 credit hour change in the Spring of 2022). The AAS degrees in both Graphic Design and Digital Photography have also been trimmed down to 60 credit hours. The certificates are stackable which allows the students to transition seamlessly from certificate to degree. The curriculum revision included deleting classes that were no longer relevant to the fields of Visual Communications.

VIC Curriculum - After Revisions

Visual Communication - Graphic Design Certificate - C348C

Digital Photography Certificate - C348O

Visual Communication - Graphic Design Degree (Associate in Applied Science - C248C)

Digital Photography Degree (Associate in Applied Science - C249C)

VIC Curriculum - Before Revisions

Visual Communication—Graphic Design Certificate

Digital Photography Certificate

Visual Communication—Graphic Design, Associate in Applied Science

Digital Photography, Associate in Applied Science

Student Retention and Completion - Strategies for Retention and Completion - Goals in Progress

Casting a wide net in an effort to work on student retention and completion, I am encouraged with the progress that has been made so far. Below are the strategies and progress reports.

Offering Summer Classes - VIC has begun to offer summer classes, and the students have responded well to VIC100-060 Graphic Design Online. 

Clear and Consistent Class Scheduling - Scheduling is still a work in progress due to the effects of COVID. Once the needs for the complex scheduling of ERL, Blended and F2F have concluded, VIC will be able to implement a consistent yearly class schedule. 

VIC Registration Events - The effects of COVID postponed most events beginning in the Spring of 2020. I have been working with students one-on-one to register them for their classes, and help navigate their academic plan. This has been done both on Blackboard Collaborate as well as face-to-face. Once the pandemic is over, we will resume registration events in the T building.

Building Stronger Relationships with the Counseling Department - I have recently met with the new Triton counselors, and given them a tour of the VIC facilities. In the near future, VIC will be printing literature to reflect the new curriculum, which will be shared with the counseling department to help promote the VIC program.

Work Study Opportunities - VIC163- Digital Studio Photography, participated in work study by having a lab assistant. This has been a great opportunity for both the work study participant as well as for the students in the class. The goal is to continue to expand on work study positions, and opportunities in the future. 

Internships for Credit and Non- Credit - VIC has had several students participate in Internships. Israel Rivas interned for Nadeau Ice Sculptures in Forest Park, IL. For this internship he provided both graphic design and photography services. Tameka Wilson interned on a project called "Everyday Activists". This internship centered around interviewing and photographing local activists in the Oak Park and Austin area. The capstone of the internship was a gallery show at the Oak Park Art League. The project was covered by the Village Free Press. https://www.vfpress.news/articles/arts/maywood-photographer-captures-everyday-activists-in-recent-exhibit/  

VIC Portfolio Exhibit and Celebration - Due to the effects of COVID we have not been able to do a portfolio exhibit and celebration in person. The next portfolio class will run in the Spring of 2022. I am hopeful that the pandemic will be behind us and that we will be able to host the celebration for friends and family on campus.

Tenure Requirements and Accomplishments

Committee Work and Participation - I am actively involved in committees on campus. Below highlights my involvement and achievements.

The Curriculum Committee -Curriculum committee voting members.

 My tenure mentor, Julianne Murphy is both Chair of the Curriculum Committee and Chair of the Health, Sports and Exercise Science Department at Triton College. I have benefited greatly from having her mentorship in the area of curriculum. She has taught me how the process works, and given me great insight into IAI. Julianne also welcomed me to join the curriculum committee as a voting member which has helped reinforce the knowledge and skills in that area.  

Assessment Fellow - Roster of Assessment Fellows

As an assessment fellow I participate in examining artifacts for the General Education assessments requirements.  I also lead the assessment efforts for the VIC department.  Working closely with the VIC Adjuncts, I am able to assist them with their reports and gain valuable insights to how the students are doing in the advanced classes.  Additionally, I am able to discuss what resources the instructors are hoping to acquire to enhance the learning objectives. 

Assessment Report 2019/2020 - VIC202 - Advanced InDesign and Typography

Assessment Report 2019/2020 - VIC242 Advanced Illustrator

Assessment Report 2019/2020 - VIC263 - Advanced Digital Studio Photography

Assessment Report 2020/2021 - VIC242 - Advanced Illustrator

Assessment Report 2020/2021 - VIC261 - Advanced Photoshop

Assessment Report 2020/2021 - VIC264 - Advanced Digital Photography

The Green Committee -https://www.triton.edu/greening-the-campus-committee/

 My contribution to the Green Committee centers around graphic design and photography. A fun event, my students and I participated in, was photographing food that was featured in a cooking class fundraiser for the committee. Partnering with the HIA department, we photographed food in the Triton College Bistro which was used to advertise the event.

The Center for Teaching Excellence Presentation - My presentation in the Fall of 2020 in the CTE focused on Adobe Photoshop. I covered the importance of understanding image resolution, and basic image editing. I also demoed how to "beauty edit" a head shot and posted it to YouTube. The intention was that the CTE participants could reference it later if desired. The feedback from the presentation was positive. 

Click here to view my presentation on Adobe Photoshop 

Click here to view my YouTube video on beauty editing a headshot in Adobe Photoshop.

Curriculum Collaborations and IAI Accomplishments

New Curriculum - Social Media Digital Marketing Certificate - The Visual Communications and Business department have partnered together to create a new 30 credit hour certificate. The certificate combines the creative and business side of social media. This exciting certificate launched in the fall of 2021. The VIC classes include Photoshop, Digital Photography, Web Design and Social Media Design. The contributing members for this project are myself, Gretchen Reyes (BUS), Dr. William Griffin (BUS), and John-Paul Paonessa (CE and Social Media Expert) 

Social Media Digital Marketing Certificate 

Rachel K. Hindrey, wrote a story on the new certificate for the August 2021 issue of the 5th Ave. Journal. To read it click here.

Revised Curriculum - Web Design and Technologies Certificate - The Visual Communications and Computer Information Systems department have worked together to revamp the curriculum for Web Design and Technologies Certificate. The changes include adding prerequisites, and additional classes to make the certificate more robust. The VIC classes include Graphic Design, Photoshop, Web Design and Animation. In today's market, it is imperative that individuals entering the field understand the fundamentals of both the back and front end of web design and development. The contributing members to this project are myself, and Michael Henson (CIS). The college website is still updating the changes to reflect the new curriculum.   

Web Design and Technologies Certificate ( Curriculum Proposal) 

IAI Accomplishments - VIC172 and VIC273 - As part of the revamping and revitalizing of the VIC curriculum, I worked closely with the Deans of Arts and Sciences to obtain IAI articulation for Web Design and Animation.  The process began by hiring two new instructors who met the educational requirements, and are experts in these areas. Web Design and Animation were revamped to use current industry standard software. The course outlines and syllabi were redesigned to align with the IAI standards. The classes have also received positive feedback with the changes. Students are gaining skills in Wordpress, Adobe Animate, and After Effects.  VIC160 - History of Photography has also been renewed and is currently under review by the IAI panel. 

The options for IAI articulation in VIC are limited. Many classes are still focusing on the traditional arts. I am hopeful that over time the panel will begin to understand the relevance of digital art in curriculum. The next IAI goal for VIC is to obtain articulation for digital photography. The revamp discussion is already underway. The IAI focuses on photojournalism and we are discussing how to make a transition that makes sense for the students and department.

VIC172 - Web Page Design

VIC273 - Introduction to Animation

VIC160 - History of Photography- In Review

Student Evaluations - Feedback about my performance as an instructor, including comments, and critique. (Previous years student evaluations available by request).

Fall 2020 

Spring 2021  

Fall 2021

Spring 2022 

Professional Development, Self-Evaluation, and Class Observations

In the Fall of 2019, I was hired as temporary full time. In the Fall of 2020, my employment was continued, and I was informed that my first year would be counted towards my tenure. As temporary full time, the tenure paperwork did not apply to my position. In the Fall of 2020, my classroom observations, self-evaluation, and professional development requirements began.  

Fall 2020: Professional Development

Fall 2020: Self-Assessment

Fall 2020: Class Observation VIC104 Computer Art - Project: Cinemagraphs

Spring 2021: Professional Development

Spring 2021: Self-Assessment

Spring 2021: Class Observation VIC163 Digital Studio Photography- Project: Classic Portrait Lighting Techniques

Fall 2021: Professional Development 

Fall 2021: Self-Evaluation 

Fall 2021:  Class Observation VIC104 Computer Art - Project: Barbara Kruger Inspired Art 

Fall2021: Class Observation VIC263 Advanced Digital Studio Photography - Project: Professional Headshots 

Spring 2022: Professional Development 

Spring 2022: Self-Evaluation 

Spring 2022: Class Observation

Blackboard and Pedagogy Compliance

Due to the effects of COVID in March of 2020, VIC had to pivot to online learning. I am proud of how the VIC team handled the challenge. To assist with the transition, I created a handout for using Blackboard Collaborate. Click here for to view the handout. To date, all VIC Adjuncts and faculty have finished the Triton Blackboard and Pedagogy Training. To view my certificates please click the following links. BlackBoard Learn Certificate. Online Pedagogy Training Program Certificate