Former president now dean of Fine Arts
Former Saddleback College President Dixie Bullock returns as the Dean of Fine Arts this year after retiring in July 2004.
Bullock returned to Saddleback on July 13, 2009 after being asked to come back by the South Orange County Community College District Chancellor Raghu Mathur. She plans on filling in until the position is permanently filled.
“Very little has changed since I left, but I did notice that the whole village has popped up,” Bullock said.
A faculty member since 1976, Bullock became the Dean of Health and Science and was later appointed as president from 1998-2004.
After retiring, Bullock worked at University of California Irvine from 2006-2007 as the Dean of Math and Science until they were able to permanently fill the position.
“The difference between being President and Dean of Fine Arts would be that work takes place in divisions,” said Bullock. “I am closer to the students and faculty and get to be more involved with daily operation.”
Bullock has always had an interest in the arts.
“I love art and really love music. I was once in a musical called Footloose and played the part of the principal,” Bullock said.
Throughout the semester she wants to increase the number of productions and make the art gallery more noticeable by hanging banners with Saddleback College colors along the art gallery hallway.
Instructors in the fine arts department are excited with Bullock’s return as the dean of the department.
“Dixie Bullock is a good gal from Texas. She is like everybody’s favorite grandmother,” said Director of Instrumental Music Carmen Dominguez.
“Dixie Bullock is so well liked that the faculty from UCI called me and told me how much they loved having her over there,” said Dominguez. “Dixie has lead many departments in different areas of the campus and I am positive she is very capable of handling it.”
Bullock plans to publicize the program and promote the arts all throughout campus and the community.