Heather Knight (educator): Difference between revisions
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In 2006, Knight accepted a call to serve as provost of [[Andrews University]] in [[Berrien Springs, Michigan|Berrien Springs]], [[Michigan]].<ref name = "bio" /> Her work there involved oversight of Andrews various operations and academic enterprises. Knight was responsible for over 150 academic programs, 227 full-time faculty, 3,400 students studying on the Berrien Springs campus, as well as another 4,000 students studying in Affiliation and Extension programs around the world, and a $75 million budget.<ref name = "bio" /> |
In 2006, Knight accepted a call to serve as provost of [[Andrews University]] in [[Berrien Springs, Michigan|Berrien Springs]], [[Michigan]].<ref name = "bio" /> Her work there involved oversight of Andrews various operations and academic enterprises. Knight was responsible for over 150 academic programs, 227 full-time faculty, 3,400 students studying on the Berrien Springs campus, as well as another 4,000 students studying in Affiliation and Extension programs around the world, and a $75 million budget.<ref name = "bio" /> |
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===Pacific Union College=== |
===Pacific Union College=== |
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Knight was selected as President of Pacific Union College in July 2009 and took office in September 2009.<ref name=st.hs09-10-24 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Jillian|title=PUC taps new college president|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_e530fe31-9059-5e91-a61d-03d1b3b8988f.html|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=St. Helena Star|date=22 July 2009}}</ref> She was officially inaugurated on April 15, 2010 in a well-attended ceremony at the [[Pacific Union College Church]].<ref name=SB-inauguration>{{cite news|last=Cronk|first=Lainey S.|title=Pacific Union College Officially Installs New President|url=http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2010/04/21/pacific-union-college-officially-installs-new-president|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=[[Spectrum Blog]]|date=21 April 2010}}</ref> Her selection was historical, in that she is both the first black president and first female president in |
Knight was selected as President of Pacific Union College in July 2009 and took office in September 2009.<ref name=st.hs09-10-24 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Jillian|title=PUC taps new college president|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_e530fe31-9059-5e91-a61d-03d1b3b8988f.html|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=St. Helena Star|date=22 July 2009}}</ref> She was officially inaugurated on April 15, 2010 in a well-attended ceremony at the [[Pacific Union College Church]].<ref name=SB-inauguration>{{cite news|last=Cronk|first=Lainey S.|title=Pacific Union College Officially Installs New President|url=http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2010/04/21/pacific-union-college-officially-installs-new-president|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=[[Spectrum Blog]]|date=21 April 2010}}</ref> Her selection was historical, in that she is both the first black president and first female president in Pacific Union College history.<ref name=nvr09-10-21>{{cite news|last=Hoffman|first=Natalie|title=Taking the helm at PUC|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_5214a110-23de-5d96-ad29-eb289bf78a34.html|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=[[Napa Valley Register]]|date=21 October 2009}}</ref> Furthermore, she is the first (and currently only) black woman to lead a [[List_of_Seventh-day_Adventist_colleges_and_universities#North_America|North American Adventist college]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kellner|first=Mark|title=Heather Knight to Helm Pacific Union College|url=http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=2741|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=[[Adventist Review]]}}</ref> When Knight took over, Pacific Union College had experienced two consecutive years of decline in enrollment, however, in her first year as President enrollment increased by 11%.<ref name=st.hs10-06-10>{{cite news|title=President wants Pacific Union College to sparkle|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/star/news/opinion/editorial/article_fff20eb6-ce7e-59e9-8650-97be86f4c00b.html|accessdate=25 April 2011|newspaper=St. Helena Star|date=10 June 2010}}</ref> After taking over at Pacific Union College, Knight has been noted for her wide experience at both Christian and Secular schools and her ability to build consensus between various constituent parties.<ref name=st.hs10-06-10 /> In December 2010, Knight received an award from the local [[Chamber of Commerce]] recognizing for her attentiveness to and willingness to work with the community.<ref>{{cite news|title=St. Helena discovered new leaders in 2010|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/star/news/local/article_9ad18b60-acd7-5932-9a7d-12c2174fe0f4.html|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=St. Helena Star|date=30 December 2010}}</ref> |
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====Affirmation of Creation==== |
====Affirmation of Creation==== |
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In late 2010, a biology professor at Pacific Union College was accused of promoting [[theistic evolution]], contrary to [[Seventh-day Adventist theology|official church belief]]. This followed the [[La_Sierra_University#Teaching_of_origins_controversy|teaching of origins controversy]] at [[La Sierra University]] over similar accusations. As President, Knight was quoted in a statement affirming |
In late 2010, a biology professor at Pacific Union College was accused of promoting [[theistic evolution]], contrary to [[Seventh-day Adventist theology|official church belief]]. This followed the [[La_Sierra_University#Teaching_of_origins_controversy|teaching of origins controversy]] at [[La Sierra University]] over similar accusations. As President, Knight was quoted in a statement affirming Pacific Union College's commitment to church beliefs while emphasizing the school's dedication "to understanding contemporary issues surrounding science that sometimes conflict with specific theology."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Julie Z.|title=PUC Affirms Creation|url=http://www.puc.edu/news/archives/2010/puc-affirms-creation|accessdate=24 April 2011|newspaper=News and Events Archives, [[Pacific Union College]]|date=2 November 2010}}</ref> |
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==Educational Philosophy== |
==Educational Philosophy== |
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Revision as of 06:39, 25 April 2011
Heather Joy Knight | |
|---|---|
| 21st President of Pacific Union College | |
| In office September 15, 2009 – Present | |
| Preceded by | Richard Osborn |
| Provost of Andrews University | |
| In office 2006–2009 | |
| Succeeded by | Andrea Luxton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jamaica |
| Spouse | Norman Knight |
| Residence | Angwin, California |
| Alma mater | Oakwood University Loma Linda University Stanford University Harvard University |
| Profession | Professor College administrator |
| Website | http://www.puc.edu/president/ |
Heather Joy Knight is a American Educator, currently serving as President of Pacific Union College.[1] She is the first woman to serve in that role and the only african-american woman to lead an Adventist College in North America. Born in Jamaica, her family moved to the United States when she was nine. After completing her undergraduate degree at Oakwood College, she did her graduate work at Loma Linda University. She got her doctorate at Stanford University and pursued postdoctoral research at Harvard University.
She began her career on the faculty of the University of the Pacific, becoming an award winning associate provost until she was asked to take over as provost at Andrews University. In 2009, she became the 21st President of Pacific Union College.
Biography
Personal life
Heather Joy Knight was born in Jamaica and lived there for the first nine years of here life.[2] She immigrated to the United States settling in the Bronx, New York with her parents Austin and Herolin Evelyn Knight.[2] Knight is married to professor and outreach chaplain, Dr. Norman Knight.[3] They have five sons and two daughters.[3]
Education
Knight began her formal education while in Jamaica under the british system. After her family moved to Bronx, New York, she attended the High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, the high school featured in the Academy Award winning hit 1980 Fame and the TV Series it spawned, majoring in vocal performance.[2]
Knight began her undergraduate education at Howard University in Washington, DC but transferred a year later to Oakwood University, then known as Oakwood College, where she graduated from in 1982 with a bachelors in English.[4] Two years later, she got her masters in English from Loma Linda University.[4] And, in 1991, she received her doctorate, also in English, from Stanford University. She completed postdoctoral studies in management and leadership in education at Harvard University.[2][4]
Career
University of the Pacific
Knight began her career at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California as a professor of English in 1988.[5] She later became the assistant provost and then in 1997, the associate provost for Faculty Development, Diversity and Special Programs.[5] During her time at the University of the Pacific, she is credited with leading the school's first Diversity Committee as well as spearheading a major initiative that is credited with nearly doubling the number of minority faculty at the University of the Pacific.[5] In 1997, Knight became the youngest faculty member to receive the University of the Pacific's distinguished Eberhardt Teacher/Scholar Award.[6] The award was established to reward exemplary teaching and scholarship.[7]
Andrews University
In 2006, Knight accepted a call to serve as provost of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.[1] Her work there involved oversight of Andrews various operations and academic enterprises. Knight was responsible for over 150 academic programs, 227 full-time faculty, 3,400 students studying on the Berrien Springs campus, as well as another 4,000 students studying in Affiliation and Extension programs around the world, and a $75 million budget.[1]
Pacific Union College
Knight was selected as President of Pacific Union College in July 2009 and took office in September 2009.[3][8] She was officially inaugurated on April 15, 2010 in a well-attended ceremony at the Pacific Union College Church.[9] Her selection was historical, in that she is both the first black president and first female president in Pacific Union College history.[10] Furthermore, she is the first (and currently only) black woman to lead a North American Adventist college.[11] When Knight took over, Pacific Union College had experienced two consecutive years of decline in enrollment, however, in her first year as President enrollment increased by 11%.[12] After taking over at Pacific Union College, Knight has been noted for her wide experience at both Christian and Secular schools and her ability to build consensus between various constituent parties.[12] In December 2010, Knight received an award from the local Chamber of Commerce recognizing for her attentiveness to and willingness to work with the community.[13]
Affirmation of Creation
In late 2010, a biology professor at Pacific Union College was accused of promoting theistic evolution, contrary to official church belief. This followed the teaching of origins controversy at La Sierra University over similar accusations. As President, Knight was quoted in a statement affirming Pacific Union College's commitment to church beliefs while emphasizing the school's dedication "to understanding contemporary issues surrounding science that sometimes conflict with specific theology."[14]
Educational Philosophy
The Adventist Advantage
In the second all-school colloquy or assembly of the 2009-2010 school year at PUC, Knight spoke on "Integrating Faith and Learning: A Higher Education Imperative" and her Adventist Advantage platform.[15] She reported that institutions of higher learning are taking a fresh look at religion and spirituality and argued that it provides Adventist Education "with multiple opportunities to showcase what we have been doing so very well for so many years."[15] She introduced her theoretical framework to meet these opportunities, titled the Adventist Advantage. The framework consists of seven main points: meaning and purpose found by a connection with Christ as our personal savior; health, wellness, and a wholesome lifestyle; education, caring about the life of the mind and lifelong learning; ethics and morals; generous service; diversity; and stewardship of the earth, which is tied to the Sabbath.[15]
From Good to Great
Heather Knight studied Stanford colleague Jim Collins' concepts outlined in his book Good to Great. Knight uses the 'good to great' idea as a theoretical framework for institutional improvement.[2] Dr Knight asserts that, “We are called to a really high level of excellence based on the exceeding excellence of God Himself. Therefore, we have an important role to play as pacesetters and models of best practices in higher education."[16] The January, 2011 edition of the Pacific Union Recorder reports on renovations to the campus accomplished under Knight's leadership.[16] Pacific Union College's dining commons and campus center, a major hub of student life, had not been updated in 30 years.[16] The Recorder quotes Knight, “When I think about our campus going from good to great, I’m including every area of campus, including our facilities. My vision is that within the next several years the entire campus will be transformed.”[16]
References
- ^ a b c PUC Office of the President. Heather Joy Knight: 21st President of Pacific Union College
- ^ a b c d e "Catalyst for Positive Change: President Heather J. Knight talks about her dreams for PUC" (PDF). ViewPoint (Winter 2010): 2–5. 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b c Hoffman, Natalie (24 October 2009). "New president takes the helm at PUC". St. Helena Star. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "Heather Knight, Veteran Educator, Named Andrews University Provost". Adventist News Network. 29 June 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "Former Pacific Associate Provost Heather Knight Appointed President of Pacific Union College in Napa Valley". E-News. University of the Pacific. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ "Pacific Union College Announces New President". Adventist Today. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ "Research and Scholarship Resources > Committee for Academic Planning and Development". University of the Pacific. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ Jones, Jillian (22 July 2009). "PUC taps new college president". St. Helena Star. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ Cronk, Lainey S. (21 April 2010). "Pacific Union College Officially Installs New President". Spectrum Blog. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ Hoffman, Natalie (21 October 2009). "Taking the helm at PUC". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ Kellner, Mark. "Heather Knight to Helm Pacific Union College". Adventist Review. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b "President wants Pacific Union College to sparkle". St. Helena Star. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ^ "St. Helena discovered new leaders in 2010". St. Helena Star. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ Lee, Julie Z. (2 November 2010). "PUC Affirms Creation". News and Events Archives, Pacific Union College. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b c Cronk, Lainey S. (5 October 2009). "President Speaks on the Adventist Advantage". News and Events Archives. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d Pacific Union Recorder, January, 2011.