Since the fall semester of 2009, the Skyline College Learning Center has been host to the devoted educationist John Saenz, recognizable by his infectious smile, rugged facial hair, iconic hipster fedora and aura of goodwill.

As an English professor and coordinator of the Writing & Reading Lab, Saenz works tirelessly to improve students’ writing skills. When not in the classroom, he can be found sitting in his office at the rear of the learning center, likely reassessing the way students are taught at Skyline.

Originally Saenz had plans to be an investigative journalist, but CSU Fullerton only offered a degree in broadcast journalism. Instead of settling for a major he didn’t respect, Saenz chose to switch to creative writing, preserving his artistic integrity.

It wasn’t until two of his friends asked him to teach at a new charter school they had started that Saenz started to think about becoming an educator. At the school, Saenz found his passion, teaching everything from U.S. government to high-school English.

Currently, Saenz has found a home here among the dedicated Skyline staff that shares his love for teaching.

“I really like the environment here at Skyline,” says Saenz. “Students come first. There is a constant reassessment of what we’re doing for the students to find things that are missing so we can address those needs.”

Recent funding cuts, however, have made it difficult for the learning center to provide students with the services they require to succeed. But these complications haven’t slowed Saenz down in his mission to provide an exceptional learning environment. He has increased the amount of volunteer tutors and attributes the Writing & Reading Lab’s continued success to synergy within the department.

“We work as a team in the learning center,” says Saenz. “The people here are highly collaborative. Because of the budget cuts, we are trying to involve as many people as we can. That’s one of the reasons we reached out to students to become peer tutors.”

Saenz also volunteers in the newly created Skyline College Leadership Academy, which works to develop leadership skills and promote excellence through student empowerment by providing direction for the program and facilitating workshops.

If current trends continue, the funding for community colleges will disappear and higher education will be marginalized. As this happens, do not fear: Look to the learning center and you will find the hero we need, our silent protector, Skyline’s Dark Knight.