The VP Candidate forum took place on the Signal Peak campus, the morning of February 7th. The morning started with Vice President of Student Services candidate Jenni Cardenas sharing about her beginnings here at Central Arizona College, and included the story about her start at the Maricopa campus during the time it was overrun by crickets, making a comment on how it was so bad that the crickets were taking rides on students’ backpacks. Cardenas came off as very charming and much how you would expect a VP candidate to act. The forum appeared to be mainly faculty, and her peers seemed to be the most talkative and asked the most questions.
In the Q&A portion, various topics came about, such as what her legacy would be as Vice President, in which she replied that she would want the enrollment processes to reflect her role there. The enrollment process would become personalized, getting every detail necessary, for every student in order to meet their needs. Other questions regarding her management style, her strengths and weaknesses, how she would handle circumstances that pertained to her said weaknesses, and of course, why she believed she was the best candidate. Her main focus as a VP seems to be undergoing big projects, and challenging faulty processes that are already in place. Cardenas believes that one of the most important parts of her job is understanding the community and relating to students, staff and parents. She then goes on to state the job of student services, and describes it as someone wrapping their arms around all the students and supporting them, carrying them to where they need to go, which, if you ask me, is a quite adorable simile. Cardenas says that her management style is more supportive and team oriented, posing as a backbone to her other staff but essentially letting them do what they do best.
She whole-heartedly believes that she is the best candidate, and someone would have a tough time convincing her otherwise. The doctor-to-be places much of her credibility on her experience and willingness to change and listen to the needs of the students and staff. Jenni Cardenas has big-picture ideas and claims the ability to hone in on minute details. Cardenas seems like a solid candidate, and this Cactus writer wishes her the best of luck.