This semester, Skyline College welcomes the new Dean of Language Art and Resource Learning, Mary Gutierrez. Moving from Bothell, Washington she has moved to the Bay Area for the opportunity to become part of the Skyline Community.
Gutierrez graduated with a Master’s degree in English from Virginia Tech but like many students she struggled to choose a major. Eventually she discovered that what she had grew up around would be her exact calling. Both of her parents were teachers and she grew up reading as often as some “people play video games.”
“It was only after going through all of these other majors that I real¬ized that the thing that you should major in is that thing that just comes natural to you,” says Gutierrez.
Mary Gutierrez has a long career list in higher education as well as background in teaching. Most recently she was the Associate Dean of Cascadia Community College in
Washington and prior to that she worked at the University of San Diego. Hearing about the Skyline Community, the students and faculty from her colleagues she developed an interest in the school. When a job opening became available she seized the opportunity.
Coming to Skyline she is excited to get to know the students and work with the community. Being teacher, she is also looking forward to conducting English and grammar workshops in the Learning Center, giving her a chance to interact more with students.
“Her vision is just beginning to unfold,” said Nina Flores, English instructor. “She doing a lot in collaboration with the division and I really appreciate it.”
A school she once worked at chose the motto “Be the change” a motto that has inspired Gutierrez over the years. She had connected it to the saying by Ghandi “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
“I endeavor for my values to be evident in my actions, even when it is challenging,” says Gutierrez. “The first time I saw those same words inscribed on the walls at Skyline, I knew that I was home”
