Kenn Young Letter of Recommendation Final
Download as docx, pdf0 likes113 views
Tom Spillman is recommended for leadership positions in education. The letter details Spillman's accomplished career in education spanning the military, probation work, high school counseling, and over 16 years in community college administration. As Dean of Student Services, Spillman demonstrated visionary leadership and partnership building to improve student outcomes. He played a key role in the Riverside County Education Collaborative, which received recognition from President Obama and others, for significantly increasing postsecondary attainment through strategic academic alignment from K-12 to college. The county superintendent offers his unqualified recommendation of Spillman based on his exceptional qualifications and experience improving education.
Kenn Young Letter of Recommendation Final
- 1. /1 ;; '.; ' J I!I' I I' fII ' . ' ,... . KENNETH M.YOUNG 3939 THIRTEE NT H STREET P.O.Box 868 RIVERSIDE,CALIFORNIA 92502-0868 (951) 826-6530 47-110 CALHOUN STREET INDI O, CALIFORNIA 92201-4779 (760) 863-3000 24980 LAS BRISAS ROAD MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA 92562-4008 (951) 600-5651 OFFICE OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT To Whom It May Concern: As Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, I appreciate this opportunity to submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of Tom Spillman, Dean of Student Services for the Mt. San jacinto Community College District(MSJC). I have worked closely with Tom for a number of years on a wide range of education initiatives designed to collaboratively leverage P16 educational practices to improve student academic achievement, increase postsecondary and career readiness, expand access to higher education and ensure acceleration of degree/certification completion. These initiatives are having a significant positive impact on tens of thousands of students across Riverside County each year. I would like to highlight some ofTom's exceptional leadership qualities and experiences that make him an outstanding candidate for virtually any key leadership positions in either K12 or postsecondary education intuitions. Tom has an accomplished professional career ranging from service in the US Armed Forces to his current assignment for nearly 16 years with MSJC, and includes working as a senior probation officer, high school counselor, community college counselor, coordinator, director, and as dean. He has also received numerous recognitions for his professional and community accomplishments, including MSJC Administrator of the Year. During his days as a high school counselor, Tom's students quickly recognized in him a caring, dynamic, knowledgeable and engaging friend, mentor and leader. Asan administrator, he continued to exhibit those same characteristics while further demonstrating his organizational competency, his laserlike focus on student academic outcomes and his capacity to build a community of partnerships and support for student success. As a community college administrator, Tom quickly grasped the "big picture" of the P16 system and the interconnectedness and interdependency of the structure. I think it is critical to note that early on at MSJC he identified the need for vertical academic articulation and alignment of the public education system and began working on strategies to improve that alignment. Ultimately, his influence would affect many of the college's programs, departments, and support structures. He became very adept at overcoming instructional hurdles and cultural obstacles one at a time. This prepared him well to ultimately take on his current role as Dean of Student Services.
- 2. I have worked especially close with Tom in the formation and implementation of the Riverside County Education Collaborative (RCEC) The RCEC was formed at the personal invitation of US Secretary of Education Duncan. The RCEC's purpose was to formulate a closely held network of P16 educational entities and stakeholders to significa ntly increase the number of students attaining postsecondary degrees that would expand to a much larger sphere of influence over time. In this setting I was exposed to the depth ofTom's strategic and critical thinking skills, his influence, and his professionalism. When I saw the work he and his team had put into developing a steady stream of academic strategies ranging from placing well prepared college counselors in high schools to keep students on track and motivated, expanding college access through dual enrollment, to developing special remediation curriculum in collaboration with grade 912 staff and leaders and providing professional development to help ensure high school teachers were better prepared to ensure students success before they reach the postsecondary leveljust to name a number of manyit was astounding. He has insured that the MSJC is deeply involved in the RCEC as it continues to receive local, regional and state recognition for the success of its work. President Obama recognized the RCEC in 2014 in his address in Washington D.C, and recently, US Undersecretary Mitchell paid a follow up visit to the RCEC in Riverside and praised it's accomplishments to date in no uncertain terms. Tom is at the forefront of this gamechanging and ground breaking work. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that Tom Spillman is a remarkable individual, one possessing visionary leadership, he is a partnership builder and an innovative problem solver. He has demonstrated the political will to push forward proposals that were the right thing to do for the right reasons and at the right time, but were not always popular because others did not have his perspective. As the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, the 4th largest K12 regional education system in the largest state in the nation, I have found Tom to be a phenomenal team player and incredible collaborator. Add to this the integrity of his character and you have Tom Spillman-for whom I offer my unqualified recommendation. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Riverside County Superintendent of Schools