Leaning into engagement for students and the community
by Catalina Myers |
鈥淚 have always loved students and engaging in the classroom,鈥� said Cheryl Siemers, interim chancellor at 海角禁区. Siemers, who served as Kenai Peninsula College鈥檚 (KPC) campus director since 2021, recently stepped into the interim role after Chancellor Parnell鈥檚 retirement. 鈥淚 love the excitement of students, whether they鈥檙e just getting back into the classroom or they鈥檙e dual enrollment students or just checking out what the university is all about.鈥� Siemers has loved her career teaching all aspects of English from introductory courses to senior-level classes, but for her, nothing beats the thrum of a classroom full of students beginning their journey in higher education.
In 1993, Siemers, a 20-something recent college grad, arrived in Alaska. Her older sister, already living in the state, persuaded her to come north for an adventure. Originally from Maine, she immediately fell in love with Alaska鈥檚 expansive scenery, feeling right at home among the mountainous landscapes, forested highways and rocky coastlines. Although she moved in and out of state a few times for jobs and then to pursue a Ph.D. program, Alaska and the Kenai were always in the back of her mind, and she knew eventually she鈥檇 return, with the goal of teaching.
Siemers earned her B.A. in English from Cedarville University. In 1996, she earned her master鈥檚 in English from 海角禁区. In 2004, upon the recommendation of her 海角禁区 faculty advisors, she earned her Ph.D. in rhetoric and linguistics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After returning to Alaska, she accepted a role as director of advancement at Alaska Christian College. She served as academic dean before landing an adjunct position in KPC鈥檚 Department of English in 2002. In 2006, she was hired as full-time faculty and over the course of the next decade, she built her career at KPC. Siemers crossed over into administration, first serving as department chair, then as assistant director before taking the helm as director at KPC, which, in addition to the Kenai River Campus, includes the Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer and the Resurrection Bay Extension Site in Seward.
Throughout her career in higher education, Siemers has been deeply committed to KPC鈥檚 mission, the overall goals of 海角禁区 and the communities they serve.
鈥淓ngagement has always been the heartbeat of who I am as an educator, but also, as a leader,鈥� Siemers said. Her Ph.D. program emphasized community engagement through the lens of service learning, a focus she has continued to refine throughout her work at KPC. Her research has been a cornerstone in integrating these principles into the curriculum, focusing on service-learning and civic engagement. 鈥淚 love creating pathways 鈥� or as I like to call them 鈥� 鈥榚xpanded opportunities鈥� for people. Often what we say at KPC is 鈥榳hat are your needs and how can we help?鈥� Whether we鈥檙e talking to a student from Moose Pass interested in a two-year program or an industry partner, community is an important part.鈥�
She has championed and expanded community partnerships, community engagement, multidisciplinary service learning and place-based learning at KPC. She helped launch the Smart Start initiatives, a program bridging the gap for underprepared students to transition into college-level courses and expanded it online, making it more accessible. Additionally, Siemers developed and enhanced dual-credit and Middle College programming at KPC and across the state, working with community partners to increase workforce development opportunities. Under her leadership, KPC experienced tremendous growth, with enrollment increasing more than 60% and an uptick in overall student hours.
Siemers said she鈥檚 looking forward to the fall semester and the opportunity to lead 海角禁区 during this transitional time between chancellors. She鈥檚 grateful for the momentum Chancellor Parnell built over the last four years on campus and in the community, and she intends to continue championing 海角禁区鈥檚 dual mission messaging.
"I love that we, as a community at 海角禁区, have embraced the transformative education model. While we create the spaces and places for this transformation to happen, it's important to remember that students play a crucial role in their own journey," Siemers said. "Together, we will continue to lay the framework and provide whatever is needed for success. Ultimately, the path is up to each individual, but we are here to support them every step of the way."
