SOCCCD approves reorganization of ATEP
The ATEP campus in Tustin, Calif. (Sean Lara/Lariat Staff)
The South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) Board of Trustees approved the reorganization of Advanced Technology Education Park on Monday, Sept. 27. ATEP will now be administered by Irvine Valley College.
The Tustin ATEP campus, founded in 2007 has at times had 1,400 students enrolled. It is currently a 1.5-acre campus with plans to increase to 68 acres in the future.
ATEP has been a unique project for the SOCCCD. The mission has been to provide an innovated education focused on emerging technology markets. It attempts to bring together business, community, and the technology industry to form effective partnerships.
The day-to-day operations of ATEP will now be under the supervision of IVC Dean of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development Dr. David Gatewood. ATEP Provost Randy Pepples will be moving to the district offices.
“I recommended these changes to help prepare our colleges to meet current accreditation standards and the rigorous review during the accreditation site visits next month,” said Dixie Bullock, the acting chancellor of the SOCCCD.
Bullock said the changes were based on many weeks of deliberation between Saddleback College President Tod Burnett, IVC President Glenn Roquemore, Vice Chancellor David Bugay, Vice Chancellor Bob Bramucci and ATEP Provost Randy Peebles.
“Dr. Peebles will continue reporting to the Chancellor,” Bullock said. [He will be] focusing on management of the ATEP site development, working with the city of Tustin, and promoting education and business partnerships to build out the 68 acre site.”
The reorganization means that ATEP employees will be moved to new positions throughout the district.
“I want to express my appreciation to every member of the ATEP Team, each of whom has worked tirelessly to provide expanding opportunities to our students,” Bullock said.
At Saddleback College the former Dean of Instruction and Student Services will become the new Dean of Business Science and Economic and Workforce Development. Grant analysts and program technicians from IVC will be moved to the ATEP campus.