Spotlight - Dr. David Beyer and Janelle Farley-Beyer
Dr. David Beyer and his wife, Janelle, have been a part of the EvCC community since 2006, when Dr. Beyer took the helm as EvCC president. After 13 years, Dr. Beyer retired in June 2019. “EvCC is the capstone of my work and career,” says Dr. Beyer. “The communities, business and industry, nonprofit organizations, K-12, and college faculty and staff have all taught me many things about the importance of cooperative and innovative work in higher education.” During Dr. Beyer’s tenure, Janelle, a retired community college educator, was also involved with county organizations, including the Snohomish Education Foundation, Food Bank, Rotary, and other groups. Dr. Beyer’s future plans include “being a good and loving grandfather and husband, maybe travel as well.” Thank you, Dr. Beyer and Janelle, for all you have done for EvCC!
What is your current occupation/career?
Retired president of Everett Community College and, for Janelle, retired community college educator. I have been a college president since 1994 and worked in community college systems since 1975. Janelle worked for 18 years at Clark Community College.
How did you choose EvCC?
A CTC State Board member nominated me for this position, as he had known me while I was on interim assignment at Clark College. After both visiting Snohomish County and speaking with community people, I decided to apply for the position of president. We (Janelle and I) participated in an extensive selection process and appreciated learning more about the institution, communities and the opportunities for the college to expand its programs, student reach and impact for the communities.
How has EvCC impacted your career/life?
EvCC has been a major factor for my career as a college president spending 13 years in this position. My work as a college CEO includes presidencies at four other colleges in permanent and interim assignments for the past 25 years and a community college career for 44 years. Everett Community College is the capstone of my work and career. The communities, business and industry, nonprofit organizations, K-12, college faculty and staff have all taught me many things about the importance of cooperative and innovative work in higher education.
What are you planning to do after leaving EvCC?
Be a good and loving grandfather and husband. Maybe travel as well.
Have you had any mentors who stand out as significant in the course of your career?
There were many mentors having been in this business for thirty plus years upon my arrival. Former colleagues and presidents were always there for me to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Additionally, I knew many Washington State presidents and college employees from across the state. Probably, however, key people for me were the college’s Trustees from Tom Gaffeny who hired me as Board Chair, Nancy Truitt Pierce, Gene Chase, Betty Cobbs and Mike Deller. These as well as other Board members were key people during my tenure at EvCC.
Janelle knew many college colleagues as well across the state during her career who shared thoughts and ideas about her role with EvCC. Additionally, Janelle was involved with several organizations in the county that provided important connections and included Snohomish Education Foundation, Food Bank, Rotary and other groups. We both immersed ourselves in different sectors of Snohomish County.
What words of advice would you give to current EvCC students?
There are many talented and dedicated faculty and staff that work at EvCC. And they are here to contribute to the success of students whatever that may be, graduation or personal enrichment. Pursue a positive student/faculty relationship with teachers of your classes. Get to know them and how they can be of assistance. Similarly, get to know a college staff member who can help in many ways. National research documents that students who know and pursue direct assistance and help from faculty who teach their courses are more likely to succeed. It’s called “student engagement.”
Any other information you would like to provide?
Our work collective has been almost 60 years in community colleges, and we believe these two-year colleges are the best higher education institutions to provide opportunity to the widest range of students from different cultural and personal backgrounds. EvCC is an outstanding college with talented and dedicated faculty and staff. The college offers high quality transfer programs and workforce training that meets industry needs.