With close to 36 years in educational administration, Dr. Ed Shenk has been a highly visible leader within California Student Services for many years. Dr. Shenk joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Education in July, 2005. He served on the executive board of CCCCSSAA (California Community College Chief Student Services Administrators Association) for fourteen years and was president of the organization in 1991-92. He has represented the field by serving on many statewide committees and special task forces. He became an active member in NASPA in 1994. He served as the national chair for the NASPA Knowledge Community, Community & 2 year Colleges (2004-06) and the community college representative on the Northern Executive Council for NASPA. He is also a Board member on the California ACT Advisory Council.
Having a special interest in student discipline, leadership, quality service and professional development, Dr. Shenk was instrumental in initiating the Student Services Training Institute in which hundreds of California student services professionals have participated. He is a frequent facilitator, trainer, and speaker at local colleges and for statewide and national organizations. Most recently, he was a presenter at the NASPA National Conference in Tampa, Florida. He was recognized as the Outstanding Dean in NASPA’s Region 6 in 2002. He also serves as the editor of the I Journal, a web-based i-journal which focuses on issues in students services in community colleges.
He began is administrative career in community colleges as a clerk-typist and later as the first EOPS director at Grossmont College. Ed then moved to Napa Valley College where he was an administrator from 1975 – 2006. At NVC, he served as the Chief Student Service Officer on campus beginning in 1981 and held the position of Vice President, Student Services since 1987 to his retirement in 2006. He served as the Affirmative Action Officer and sat on the District-Faculty negotiations team. He worked with all aspects of the college and was a key advisor for three presidents at the college. When time allowed, he taught Introduction to Political Science.
Throughout this time he continues to be active in the community as a Napa Chamber of Commerce board member/ committee chair, Ambassador and past president, Napa City-County Library Foundation board member, Napa County Hispanic Network board member, Nap Valley Economic Development Corporation, and Youth Soccer Coach. In 2002, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Napa County Hispanic Network and was tapped to serve on the Napa County's Airport Advisory Commission. He was selected to be the Napa County Hispanic Network President for 2006-08.
Dr. Shenk attended San Diego State University where he received a B.A. in History and an M.P.A. in Public Administration. He earned his Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Oregon. His dissertation focused on the Impacts of Proposition 13 on the Missions of the California Community College. His wife, SueDee, is the Executive Director of Napa Valley Community Housing, a builder and manager of affordable housing in the Napa Valley. They have two grown sons. Living in the Napa Valley for over 31 years, Dr. Shenk enjoys wine, travel and bocce ball. He does attempt to play golf.
