Mercer has a new Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. J. Brandon Shaw. He has served in academia for more than 20 years in various capacities. He has been an adjunct Professor in the sciences; a program coordinator for Allied Health, Life and Physical Sciences; and, most recently, Dean of Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Health at Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, VA since 2016. Dr. Shaw began at Mercer on March 1st.
The search for a new Vice President started in October, following the sudden departure of previous VPAA Dr. David Edwards. Dean of Students Dr. Diane Campbell led the search committee as co-chair with On-Site Coordinator and Advisor for William Paterson University at Mercer, Leonard Winogora, who is also an adjunct professor here.
As is typical, the search committee consisted of 15 representatives from various academic departments across the campus. This included administrators, student affairs and faculty members.
Dr. Campbell told The VOICE about the process saying the committee evaluated 30 applicants. From there each member selected their top ten applicants based on the prospects’ resumes. Next, the committee interviewed the top six applicants through Skype in order to identify their top three picks.
Mercer President Dr. Jianping Wang told The VOICE, “The committee recommended several candidates to me and then we invited them to this campus for an open forum. So the faculty and staff all had a chance to meet with these candidates.”
When asked what aspects of Dr. Shaw’s background were of particular importance to administration, Director of Communications Jim Gardner said Dr. Shaw’s advocacy for students and experience in community college education stood out. He added, “[We] certainly have a record of attracting top notch talent and we look forward to having him aboard.”
In a phone interview with The VOICE, Dr. Shaw explained more about his experience and perspective saying, “I have always been a lover of learning. Community colleges are on the front end of the United States of America. Open administration, taking everyone regardless of their background, has always been something I appreciate.”
Dr. Shaw described the approach he plans to take with his new job saying, “First, I’d like to undertake a listening campaign of the needs of each division on campus. Secondly, I’d like to assist in the development of high quality and graduate programs in order to be successful in a highly competitive job market…I want to see what’s working and what’s not working.”
A colleague of Dr. Shaw’s at LFCC, Professor of Biological Sciences and Program Coordinator of Pharmacogenomics Dr. James Crowley, told The VOICE about his experience working with Dr. Shaw in a phone interview saying, “We collaborated on several issues including outreach to local industry to establish an LFCC academic track tied to medical diagnostic manufacturing jobs. Also, interaction and relationship with two universities regarding graduate pharmacy degrees for LFCC graduates entering PharmD programs…Dr. Shaw kept in close touch with all faculty, both formally in division meetings, and informal meetings throughout the department.”
In addition to his experience within education, Dr. Shaw is the first Vice President at Mercer to have a law degree. He says of this, “My legal background helps with ascertaining pertinent laws. My experience puts me in a unique position to understand a unionized campus and contract laws along with [being] equipped for policy making and the legal ramifications before implementation.”
Dr. Campbell says having an administrator with a legal background is a bonus.
“All of these [political] issues going on now, it is real important that all of our policies and the way we’re working through our policies are sound…From the time I’ve started in student services until now, there has been so much need to have some legal information, to know how the law works,” Dr. Campbell said.
Along with his experience in the legal world, Dr. Shaw has experience as a mediator. Co-chair of the search committee Prof. Winogora says this experience and the way Dr. Shaw presented himself during the search process showed his ability to work through obstacles between different parties and groups of people.
Dr. Winogora told The VOICE, “He’s tried to bring about conciliation where there were obstacles between those groups especially obstacles that might work between administration and faculty…It became apparent through the interview process that this was a positive aspect to any candidate. The ability to work out situations in a positive win-win, both sides, fashion.”
After the campus visits and getting input from the college community, President Wang got to make the final recommendation for VP to the Board of Trustees. She says she chose Dr. Shaw for a variety of reasons.
“He has open door policies. I have open door policies. He understands servant leadership, that leaders are to serve others and that’s very important to us.” Dr. Wang said.
She continued, “His passion for diversity is very attractive to us because we want our students to have good role models to aspire to and the college is very committed to STEM. We need new generations to go into STEM areas to sustain the country’s growth in the technology industry and Dr. Shaw has a STEM background …[which] adds strength to our academic leadership,” Dr. Wang told The VOICE.
Others on the search committee expressed a similar view.
Dr. Campbell told The VOICE, “Having someone who has the [STEM] background, who has led programs in that area and has knowledge in that field is real important to the college and the business partnerships we want to connect with.”
When asked what aspects of Mercer, in particular, drew his interest Dr. Shaw said, “I am attracted to Mercer’s current program offerings and diverse student population. I am also interested in helping further the institution’s vision of developing innovative programs. I envision opportunities to foster new partnerships with local businesses.”
Outside of work Dr. Shaw says he is an avid reader with a passion for legal thrillers. “The Pelican Brief” by his favorite author, John Grisham, is one of his favorites. His recent reads include “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shatterly and “Most Dangerous Place” by James Grippando.
He also likes working out. “Beginning my day at the gym helps me mentally prepare for the day. It also gives me a sense of accomplishment of a task that is on my day’s agenda.”
With all the new programs and policies taking effect at Mercer in the coming months, Dr. Shaw’s agenda is going to be very full.
