Jack Kristofco
After being at the helm of Wayne College for 14 years, Dean Jack Kristofco announced he will be retiring at the end of July. Kristofco has been with Wayne College since 1997 when he was named dean and professor of English. Under Kristofco's leadership, Wayne College has experienced significant growth in student enrollment, facilities and academic programs.
"During his deanship the direction of the college became focused," says Dr. Paulette Popovich, associate dean of instruction at Wayne, who will serve as interim dean beginning Aug. 1. "He established a 20-year plan that has helped us achieve record-breaking enrollment in addition to expanding our campus and facilities.
"Under his leadership we also expanded our academic programming, including the addition of a bachelor's degree program on our campus," Popovich continues. "But perhaps most significantly, Dean Kristofco championed our mission in the community. He embodies our motto, "Where the Student Comes First,' and always ensured it was at the heart of our initiatives and growth.”
Long career devoted to higher education
Kristofco began his career in higher education at Cuyahoga Community College where he was assistant director of the Communications Learning Center at the Metro Campus in Cleveland. From there he went to Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio, where, over a period of 20 years, he was a faculty member, department and division chair, and associate dean. From 1991 to 1997 he was also an adjunct professor in the graduate educational administration program at Wright State University in Dayton. In 1995 he was named Administrator of the Year by the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges.
"While I am very gratified by the growth and forward momentum we have achieved at Wayne College, I am just as pleased that, even though our enrollment, campus, services and programming have grown these past 14 years, we have never lost our focus on the importance of individual students and concentrating our efforts on their success," says Kristofco. "We have worked hard to keep the spirit of Wayne College intact, aiming at excellence in everything we do and remaining a place where the student really does come first. That focus, as well as the fact that we have maintained a sense of camaraderie and shared effort as colleagues, is something in which I take a great deal of satisfaction."
Kristofco, who is a published author and poet, intends to devote more time during retirement to his writing, spend time with his nine grandchildren and attend more Cleveland Indians games with his wife, Kathy, who is also retiring this year.
Kristofco says there are a few things he would like to accomplish during his remaining time at Wayne College.
More goals to accomplish
"I would like to keep moving ahead with the development of a permanent, small campus facility in Holmes County," notes the retiring dean. " We have been working very hard these past two years to make that happen, and we are getting closer to establishing that new home for our Holmes County Higher Education Center. My hope is that we will have taken some significant steps forward toward that goal before the end of this July. Additionally, I believe before I go we will have begun the actual construction of our new campus road in Orrville and that it may be close to completion by the start of fall term."
In the coming years, Kristofco hopes Wayne College will build its third building, "creating a triangle of facilities with comfortable and welcoming space between and around them – a true campus environment. I would also like to see the college expand the courses and programs that it offers, and that it will continue to grow an already strong faculty and staff so that its reputation – for both high quality and student centeredness – will grow just as the campus does. Through it all, though, Wayne College will remain a place where the student comes first."
Popovich says she is grateful for Kristofco's contributions to the college.
"He has set a very high bar for us and his legacy in the University and the communities we serve will remain long after his retirement. We hope he takes our admiration and gratitude with him."
Media contact: Regina Schwartz, 330-684-8786 or reginas@uakron.edu.