Ann Erickson, Salt Lake Community College academic vice president, will retire at the end of the year, ending 28 years of service.
Erickson, who joined the college as a math and business teacher in 1968, announced her decision Feb. 21 amid lingering tension between some faculty leaders and the college administration.While the strained relationship with the faculty entered into her decision to leave, Erickson said, "It just simply was not the deciding factor."
She said she wants to join her husband in retirement and devote more time to her family, travel and professional pursuits.
Looking back on her years of service, 17 as an administrator, Erickson said she is proudest of the work that went into transforming the institution from a technical institute to a full-service, multisite
community college.
Of Utah's nine colleges and universities, SLCC is second only to the University of Utah in enrollment, serving more than 20,000 students at its two main campuses, four satellite campuses and four learning centers.
Erickson said SLCC has become very successful at preparing students for successful careers or transfer into four-year institutions. Also, she praised the college faculty, calling them "master teachers."
At the community college level, faculty members are dedicated to teaching rather than research or writing, she said. "They are a special element of higher education."
Some faculty members have been less complimentary of Erick-son and SLCC President Frank W. Budd, complaining they have left the faculty out of the college decision- and policymaking process.
Last month, the faculty senate threatened to subject Budd and Erickson to a confidence vote but later backed off. Instead, the senators decided to voice their concerns in a letter to the Board of Trustees.
Erickson said she is somewhat surprised by the faculty unrest, which she attributes to changes in faculty leadership, differing interpretations of the senate constitution and increasing union activity on campus.
"In the length of time I've been here - as a faculty member as well as in administration - I felt the college has been very successful in establishing dozens of committees where we have collaboration between the faculty and administration," she said.
As academic vice president, Erickson oversees all of the instructional activities at the college, including the work of 1,000 full-time and part-time faculty members. She is also responsible for the educational programs in the college's four schools and serves as liaison between SLCC and businesses, other colleges, local high schools and community leaders.
Erickson earned her bachelor's degree and doctorate from Brigham Young University and a master's degree from the University of Utah.
She has received numerous awards and honors over the years, including Small Business Advocate of the Year Award.