Sanborne named Professional College Dean

April 21, 2005
By Heather Venema
News Editor

On April 1, Lew Sanborne’s workload doubled, although it wasn’t because of an April Fool’s joke.

Sanborne was recently named the new dean of the College for Professional Studies.  The college oversees the ACCEL program, and also works with businesses and individuals in the community to provide professional training.

A search committee for the position was put together earlier in the year, consisting of Lori Rodrigues-Fisher, Richard Dienesch, Denise Hollonbeck, Paul Koch, Robert Ristow, and Ruth Soedt.

Applicants went through an extensive interview process, beginning when they submitted their applications. Next, there was a screening interview over the phone, and the narrowed list had a day-and-a-half interview with the other deans.

Both internal and external candidates applied, and Sanborne says that although he was an internal candidate, he still had a phone interview, which was necessary to keep things fair among all the applicants.

“We didn’t disrupt the intergrity of the application process,” vice president of academic affairs Lori Rodrigues-Fisher said. “Even internal candidates went out to dinner the night before their interview.”

The position peaked Sanborne’s interest because he believes the professional college has unique opportunities.

“There is a great potential to represent SAU in the community,” Sanborne said.  “It’s a laboratory for pedagogical education.”

Besides the course offerings through ACCEL, the college has begun to focus on additional professional education for the community. An example is a management and administration seminar that has been created to help doctor’s better understand the area of their job that isn’t medicine related.

Sanborne says that the programs are set up for both employers and individuals, and vary in schedule.

“There’s flexibility and freedom in the course delivery that meets the teaching core of the institution,” Sanborne said. “This college teaches lifelong learning, and lives the university mission in a real way.”

In 1990, Sanborne came to St. Ambrose as the writing coordinator for the Student Success Center and an instructor in English. After becoming the coordinator of the Student Success Center, he moved on to be the assistant vice president for enrollment. In August of 2004 he was named associate vice president for enrollment and director of institutional research.

“For me, this was a natural extension in terms of orientation, advising, and the Student Success Center,” Sanborne said. “This is a big step and I’m ready to meet the next level of the challenge.”

“It was not an easy decision, but Lew is an excellent communicator who is respected for his scholarship and strategic planning,’ Rodrigues-Fisher said. “He will be a good ambassador to unite the two campuses.”

From Idaho State University, Sanborne received bachelor’s degrees in English and teacher education, along with a master’s of English.  He completed his doctoral work in higher education administration with Illinois State University.

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