Kristofco prepares to let Wayne College write its next chapter
The small plaque on the desk in the office of Dr. John “Jack” Kristofco at the University of Akron Wayne College speaks a greater truth about him. The plaque reads “there is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don’t mind who gets the credit.” Soft-spoken, Kristofco is more content to let the actions of others, nudged on by him, get the accolades while he stands on the sidelines, cheering, as the mission is accomplished.
Kristofco announced recently that he will retire at the end of July, and Dr. Paulette Popovich, associate dean of instruction, will serve as interim dean beginning August 1. Kristofco, who began his career in higher education nearly 40 years ago, has been dean of Wayne College since 1997. He began his career at Cuyahoga Community College, and also served at Clark State Community College in Springfield and Wright State University in Dayton, before coming to Orrville.
The dean admitted he was thinking of retiring in 2010, but didn’t want to leave the college until the current accreditation process was completed. While serving as dean, Kristofco said it has been “difficult” to spend time doing things he wants to do, including writing. He is a nationally recognized poet and short story writer. He also said he’d like to travel, visit his children and nine grandchildren, do some photography, continue to teach on the side, and spend time with his wife, Kathy. She is retiring this year from Wooster City Schools.
Looking back over the past 14 years, Kristofco sees the increased enrollment, from about 1,400 when he started, to nearly 2,500 now, as important. “Obviously, the changes to the campus” are also important. In 2001, the Smucker Learning Center was built, along with a major renovation to the library. The Holmes County Higher Education Center started in 2003, the 2005 farmhouse renovation on the Wayne campus, the 2009 opening of the Student Life Building, and the implementation of a 20-year plan, is his latest project. The dean said the development and construction of another campus road, cutting through the old airstrip behind the college, and a third building are projects that will be put into motion soon.
Kristofco is also passionate about the creation of the higher education center, currently located in downtown Millersburg. The center, which is at record enrollment, is outgrowing its location, and finding a more independent and permanent building has long been on his mind as he works with Holmes County leaders and citizens to find a solution, and offer more higher education classes.
Wayne College is now offering MBA and four-year degree programs. “We’ve been arm wrestling for these for years,” Kristofco said, about setting up a four-year program, in addition to certificate and two-year associate degree programs.
The dean is also pleased to see the college’s role “elevated in the community, as a cultural center. “Our interactions with the community have been …enhanced” with lectures, the gallery in the Student Life Building, theatrical performances, and concerts.
As the college continues to grow, and has also offered classes in Medina County, the dean is proud of the ongoing commitment to education and the mission of “where the student comes first.” He is especially proud of the staff and faculty. “We’ve always had excellent faculty at the campus, and we will continue to have that.” He also stressed that maintaining the student-first mantra is not always easy. “When an organization changes and grows, there’s a real challenge to that organization to keep its core values intact.”
The dean and his staff continue to search for funding from private and public sources, to further the mission of the college, and keep the campus growing while serving its students and community.
“I would hope people would see that Wayne College is a unique place and that even as it has grown and changed, it has remained, at its heart, the same kind of place…where individual students matter,” Kristofco said. He also noted that “the quality of teaching also matters.”
Kristofco formally announced his impending retirement at the March 25 faculty meeting, and also informed the provost and university president. The university, he said, “is very supportive in making sure there is continuity” in the change in leadership.
While the college continues to grow and attract more students and community members, Jack Kristofco will quietly step aside, and let the school and its faculty reap the benefits of his hard work.
Kristofco announced recently that he will retire at the end of July, and Dr. Paulette Popovich, associate dean of instruction, will serve as interim dean beginning August 1. Kristofco, who began his career in higher education nearly 40 years ago, has been dean of Wayne College since 1997. He began his career at Cuyahoga Community College, and also served at Clark State Community College in Springfield and Wright State University in Dayton, before coming to Orrville.
The dean admitted he was thinking of retiring in 2010, but didn’t want to leave the college until the current accreditation process was completed. While serving as dean, Kristofco said it has been “difficult” to spend time doing things he wants to do, including writing. He is a nationally recognized poet and short story writer. He also said he’d like to travel, visit his children and nine grandchildren, do some photography, continue to teach on the side, and spend time with his wife, Kathy. She is retiring this year from Wooster City Schools.
Looking back over the past 14 years, Kristofco sees the increased enrollment, from about 1,400 when he started, to nearly 2,500 now, as important. “Obviously, the changes to the campus” are also important. In 2001, the Smucker Learning Center was built, along with a major renovation to the library. The Holmes County Higher Education Center started in 2003, the 2005 farmhouse renovation on the Wayne campus, the 2009 opening of the Student Life Building, and the implementation of a 20-year plan, is his latest project. The dean said the development and construction of another campus road, cutting through the old airstrip behind the college, and a third building are projects that will be put into motion soon.
Kristofco is also passionate about the creation of the higher education center, currently located in downtown Millersburg. The center, which is at record enrollment, is outgrowing its location, and finding a more independent and permanent building has long been on his mind as he works with Holmes County leaders and citizens to find a solution, and offer more higher education classes.
Wayne College is now offering MBA and four-year degree programs. “We’ve been arm wrestling for these for years,” Kristofco said, about setting up a four-year program, in addition to certificate and two-year associate degree programs.
The dean is also pleased to see the college’s role “elevated in the community, as a cultural center. “Our interactions with the community have been …enhanced” with lectures, the gallery in the Student Life Building, theatrical performances, and concerts.
As the college continues to grow, and has also offered classes in Medina County, the dean is proud of the ongoing commitment to education and the mission of “where the student comes first.” He is especially proud of the staff and faculty. “We’ve always had excellent faculty at the campus, and we will continue to have that.” He also stressed that maintaining the student-first mantra is not always easy. “When an organization changes and grows, there’s a real challenge to that organization to keep its core values intact.”
The dean and his staff continue to search for funding from private and public sources, to further the mission of the college, and keep the campus growing while serving its students and community.
“I would hope people would see that Wayne College is a unique place and that even as it has grown and changed, it has remained, at its heart, the same kind of place…where individual students matter,” Kristofco said. He also noted that “the quality of teaching also matters.”
Kristofco formally announced his impending retirement at the March 25 faculty meeting, and also informed the provost and university president. The university, he said, “is very supportive in making sure there is continuity” in the change in leadership.
While the college continues to grow and attract more students and community members, Jack Kristofco will quietly step aside, and let the school and its faculty reap the benefits of his hard work.
Published: April 7, 2011
