New position at OC aims to evaluate student effectiveness

Odessa College is trying to increase its effectiveness among students, and it’s creating a new position in the process.

On Nov. 15, the college’s board members approved the creation of a new administrative position, vice president of institutional effectiveness. On Jan. 1, biology professor Don Wood became the new vice president at an annual salary of $85,000.

Gregory Williams, president of Odessa College, said the position requires a very unique skill set. He said he is looking for leadership within the college and Wood had the qualities needed for the position so they promoted from within. He said the department has been on the campus for at least 20 years, but now it will be changing.

“Now we’re putting it on steroids,” he said jokingly adding “in a good way.”

Wood, who grew up in Seattle, said he was a first generation college student in his family. He said he can relate to the students, noting he also worked 40 hours a week throughout college.

“My main goal is to still help students,” Wood said. “I love the fact that we have a very diverse student population.”

Wood will be working on the campus to help the college create a new benchmark for measuring effectiveness on campus. He said the college serves a diverse group of people in the community and not all of the students are there with the intention of graduating in two years. He said he hopes to measure and find ways to evaluate student success on campus.

“My real goal is all about students,” Wood said.

Research and collaboration are nothing new to Wood. In the mid-1980s, he served as director of science technology for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Under his direction in 1986, the association announced the discovery of the gene responsible for muscular dystrophy.

The discovery followed with opportunities for Wood where he eventually took the helm of IntegraMed America, a specialty medical supplier, as chief operating officer.

Several years later, Wood retired and moved to West Texas to be near his family. He then decided he wanted to accomplish a life goal and teach.

“This college, Odessa College, I love it,” Wood said. “We have a very dynamic faculty and student body.”

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