Howard Davis has been officially appointed as the new interim dean of the Sciences and Student Engagement division.

Davis’ main responsibility as the new interim dean is to launch the First Year Experience program, which aims to help students become academically accustomed to the college right away and help keep them on a stable path throughout their first year at Moorpark College.

“It’s a program where we want to connect and engage students to the campus right away and also provide academic support,” said Davis. “The number one goal is to increase their retention and academic success.”

Davis’ position, which is the new eighth dean at Moorpark, was approved by the Ventura County Community College Board of Trustees on Jan. 19.

Davis said that the First Year Experience program is still in the works but should be an up and running system soon.

“It’s going to be a several year process because we’re going to have to continue to look at it, evaluate it, assess it, tweak it and hopefully improve it every year,” said Davis.

“He’s going to do a superb job,” said Athletic Director Vance Manakas. “Whatever the challenge, Howard would always rise to that challenge and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to do an excellent job.”

Manakas also said Davis has the work ethics and motivational skills. Those qualities are also what the committee were looking for when they selected Davis for the new position, according to College President Luis Sanchez.

“The way the committees work around here is that they interview candidates for a position and they all vote for the top candidates,” said Sanchez. “John Loprieno was selected as the dean for the Performing Arts division and Howard Davis for the Sciences and Student Engagement division, so we have two new deans on campus.”

Being a new dean of a new division comes with many responsibilities. Davis will not only oversee the First Year Experience program but also the Student Ambassador program, Counseling and Articulation Department and Internships. Davis said he’s eager to start building up his division as a whole.

“That’s probably the most exciting thing,” said Davis. “Helping to build something from scratch is going to be a fun, yet challenging experience.”

His colleagues agree that Davis is up for the challenge.

“As an ex-coach he looks up to those challenges,” said Manakas. “He will always exceed expectations.”