The Current Dean of Language Arts, John K. Swensson, is not only a man of many connections, he is also De Anza College’s future interim vice president of Instruction. He will start the position July 1.

After the appointment of De Anza’s current vice president of instruction, Judy Miner, as Foothill’s new college president, a committee selected by President Brian Murphy examined Swensson’s involvement with the school.

Swensson’s numerous contributions to De Anza put him on top of the list for the decision makers. Among many positions, Swensson served six years as the dean of Language Arts, was the former chair of the Academic Senate and has been a business, speech and English instructor even after becoming a dean.

“His skills at fundraising will be very helpful because he has a lot of connections to the local community,” said Miner.

As vice president of instruction, Swensson will be in charge of all the instructional programs, watch over 12 division deans, and sit in for final interviews for faculty positions to make recommendations to the president during hiring processes.

“He will be a real champion for instruction,” said Miner.

Aside from his involvement with De Anza, Swensson is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army who attended West Point.

Swensson continued to teach classes while exemplifying his dedication to our students, said Murphy. He served as president in the Academic Senate and was named innovator of the year among other awards.

“John not only recognizes immediate and crucial needs, such as enrollment growth and management, but also has an overarching view of the college as a whole,” Murphy said in an e-mail sent to De Anza faculty and staff on April 30. “As such, he is an ideal choice to hold this interim position, in which the broad and long view is critical.”