Executive Recruitments

Jaclyn Jacot

As a dedicated leader with nearly two decades of experience in higher education, Jaclyn Jacot is honored to be considered for the permanent Vice President of Instruction position at Spokane Community College (SCC). As a first-generation college student, Jaclyn knows the transformational power of higher education and its impact on students and their families, making her a champion for students and the faculty and staff that support them.

Throughout her career, Jaclyn has driven institutional innovation, championed equity initiatives, and cultivated a culture of collaboration to enhance student success through her extensive experience in both instructional and administrative roles. Jaclyn's background includes a Bachelor's degree in History and Recreation Management from Eastern Washington University and a Master's in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Higher Education Leadership at Grand Canyon University.

Jaclyn has served as Interim Vice President of Instruction since June 2023, following seven years as the Dean of Extended Learning and Workforce Initiatives and four years as Director of ACT 2 and Career Transitions. Prior to her administrative roles, Jaclyn taught in the Adult Education division for six years. Over the past decade, Jaclyn has also held numerous leadership roles and statewide appointments in the state community and technical college system.

Before joining SCC, Jaclyn developed and managed non-profit, community-based education and recreation programs for seven years. This breadth of experience—spanning faculty, workforce development, statewide system leadership, and academic administration—has given Jaclyn a comprehensive understanding of SCC's mission. Her leadership is centered on innovation, equity, and strategic collaboration – ensuring that every initiative she leads results in meaningful, student-centered change. Jaclyn's commitment to students, equity, innovation, collaborative leadership, and fostering a culture of excellence in teaching and learning makes her uniquely qualified to excel as the next Vice President of Instruction.

Dr. Beth Arman

Open Forum: Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 2:15 p.m.–3:30 p.m., SCC Campus, Building 6 (Lair), Bigfoot/Sasquatch

With over 25 years’ experience in community and technical colleges, Dr. Beth Arman works with faculty and industry to develop and enhance instructional programs, create partnerships, and write and manage complex grants. Beth has created equity-focused projects including a dual enrollment STEM academy, I-BEST programs with internships, employer-paid cohort training, and a comprehensive prior learning assessment initiative. Because of Beth’s leadership positions in multiple states, and as a long-time board member and former president of the National Council for Workforce Education, she has a strong foundation in instructional models and policies and a national network of professional colleagues.

As a dean in Washington State, she secured funding to start the Construction Center of Excellence at Renton Technical College (RTC) and mentored apprenticeship administrators statewide. While at the Community College of Baltimore County, Beth co-led a successful accreditation process, receiving no recommendations and a commendation for the quality of the self-study. Beth has been a job developer, ESL instructor, adjunct faculty member, and academic administrator. She currently serves as the Senior Dean of Career and Community Partnership at Diablo Valley College, part of a multi-college district in California’s Bay Area.

Dr. Vincent van Joolen

Open Forum: Friday, April 11th, 2025, 2:15 p.m.–3:30 p.m., SCC Campus, Building 16 (Library), Hagan Center – 2nd floor

Dr. Vincent van Joolen has over three decades of leadership experience in higher education, the military, and STEM-focused academic administration. He is deeply committed to equity-minded leadership, innovative academic planning, and building inclusive learning environments that empower all students to succeed.

Currently, Vincent serves as Dean of Instruction for STEM at Monterey Peninsula College, where he has spent the past seven years leading academic programs in Physical Science, Life Science, Nursing, and Kinesiology. During his tenure, he has secured more than $6 million in federal and state STEM grants—including a Department of Education HSI STEM grant and a Chancellor’s MESA grant—to expand access, enrich curriculum, and establish support structures like the STEM Tutoring and MESA Centers. These programs have been instrumental in increasing the success and transfer rates of underrepresented students in STEM.

His leadership style is collaborative, data-informed, and grounded in values honed during his 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Officer, retiring at the rank of Captain. In his military career, he held major leadership roles, including Executive Officer of USS Juneau and Chief Engineer of USS Cayuga, overseeing large, diverse teams and multimillion-dollar operations. Vincent later transitioned into education as a Permanent Military Professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he taught mathematics for a decade and held key academic leadership roles such as Associate Chair of the Mathematics Department and member of the Admissions Board. His work in these roles focused on mentoring students, supporting first-year success, and broadening access for students from diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Vincent van Joolen holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and two master’s degrees—one in Applied Mathematics and another in Strategic Planning. His academic journey began at Pasadena City College, where he earned his A.A. in Natural Sciences before transferring to UC San Diego to complete a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. As someone who began in the community college system, he understands firsthand the transformative power of accessible, high-quality education—and brings that understanding to every decision he makes. Outside of work, he is an avid supporter of the arts, a choral singer, and enjoys fitness and technology.