Q&A: First Lady of El Camino, Dena Maloney

Q: What are your thoughts on being the new president for the past couple of months and what are some of the things you have learned from El Camino?

A: “I continue to be excited about El Camino. I have toured a number of departments now and what amazes me is the breadth of programs we have. In one building we have students learning the career and technical education, like welding and auto mechanics. In the next building we have students that are studying history, english and political science. And in another building we have students practicing piano and music and art. The comprehensive nature of our programs is truly impressive, that plus how well students do. Our students are really excelling in their coursework.”

Q: Being the new president, what are your thoughts on the new football coach and stadium?

A: “It’s a new era for the college, I’m excited about that and the legacy from Coach (John) Featherstone. He’s laid out such an incredible tradition and foundation in athletic excellence, in all of the coaches and in all the sports. With our new football coach, I’m excited because I believe that he, like coach Featherstone, cares as much about how well the student athletes do in the classroom, as well as out on the playing field. His values really match what El Camino is all about, which is that students athletes are students and athletes, they are both. The football program and all the sports programs are really a way in which students who may otherwise not have attended college are coming to El Camino to continue their sport and get an education. I’m excited about the new football stadium is incredible and it is an amazing feature on the campus. It’s going to be a sight of many many exciting things to come in the years ahead.”

Q: When it comes to new hires on campus, is there enough diversity? If not, what are some of the things you would do to bring diversity?

A: “We are doing a lot of interviewing and I’m impressed with the diversity we are seeing in the applicant pulls and in the candidates that are coming to the college. I know that we pay attention to that. It’s clear that students who see diversity in their faculty and staff do well and that’s a supporting element for students to excel. What I’m seeing is reassuring, to me, that we are getting the diversity we need and that we are working towards making sure that our faculty and staff math the diversity of the students and community.”