Barbara Larson brings years of outside experience
By Stephen Cook
With the welcoming of Barbara Larson, the college has now filled a previously-empty position in the administration. Larson comes from Tampa, Fla. to serve as Executive Vice President Finance and Administrative Services.
Her first day was Feb. 24; she oversees business services, campus services, financial services, information services, the college police department, insurance and risk management and the box office.
Prior to serving as vice president for administration and chief financial officer at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Larson worked at other institutions such as Lansing (Mich.) Community College, State University of New York at Delhi and and Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich.
After working at Hillsborough for eight years, a five campus community college, Larson discovered the job opening here at the college.
“JCCC has a national and even international reputation as a quality institution committed to its students,” Larson said. “When I saw this position for the executive vice president it was both a career progression, but, I think more importantly, I was excited about the potential to join JCCC, and so things fell into place and I feel very, very fortunate and very happy to be here.”
Larson has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University, a master’s in public policy and administration from the University of Wisconsin and an education doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
She lives with her husband, Tom, and their two dogs. Outside of the college, Larson enjoys travel, food and sports.
Initially, Larson has noted some differences between JCCC and Hillsborough. For example, Florida community colleges do not receive local property taxes. Also, in Florida, trustees were appointed by the governor, instead of public elections. She thinks the board members’ strong tie into the community is especially key when they run for office.
President Joe Sopcich, who was involved in the process of hiring Larson, ultimately made the recommendation to the board about hiring her for the job.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Larson has joined our management team,” Sopcich said. “She brings outstanding experience from her time in Lansing, Michigan and Tampa, Florida. We look forward to her input in areas across our campus and we know the outcomes will be fantastic.”
As a self-described “very visual learner” who enjoys listening more than talking, Larson said she is looking forward to getting more involved in the college.
“I have some meetings lined up in the next month to meet with every dean and have them show me their programs,” she said. “I get excited about what we’re doing, […] and even though my full-time job is not in the classroom, I like to remind myself everyday of why we’re here and students come here because of terrific faculty and opportunities to learn.”
Going forward Larson will be working to ensure the college is attentive and makes the best decisions in regards to spending limited resources.
Larson describes her position as “very much a support role” and seeks to bring in her outside experience in to better the institution and make processes more effective.
However, despite challenges presented by higher education’s transitions, Larson said she has walked into a “stellar institution”.
“I’m very impressed with the caliber of the people that I meet, with the students that I have met thus far,” she said. “There’s an energy here, there’s a pride that is palpable and that’s very exciting.”
Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.