2008 Woodie Awards
Novotny replaces Enright as vice chancellor of HR
Antoinette Luzano
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News
Dorene Novotny was selected as Foothill-De Anza Community College District's vice chancellor of human resources and equal opportunity on Feb. 11, replacing former Vice Chancellor Jane Enright, who retired after 13 years with the district.
A faculty member reception welcomed Novotny to the district on Feb. 28 in De Anza's administration building lobby. It was open to both Foothill and De Anza faculty members.
"We received overwhelmingly positive references about her work in Washington state at Tacoma Community College and know firsthand that the faculty and staff who worked directly with her there were saddened that she accepted the position at Foothill-De Anza," said Chancellor Martha Kanter.
Novotny, who has had 25 years of experience in human resources, previously worked in local and state government positions. She resigned from her position at Tacoma Community College as the associate vice president for human resources primarily because of the opportunity to work for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, she said.
"I really got this strong sense of community in [the district]," Novotny said. "They have an excellent reputation, so being invited to be part of this community is really an honor."
Novotny works with others to "handle anything that is related to employment," including recruitment, benefit programs, health insurance, retirement programs, compensation and labor and employer relations. The majority of the students who Novotny works with on a daily basis are also employees.
"Right now, most of my time is being spent trying to really fast track as much as possible to learn new regulations, new contract provisions, new laws, new policies and procedures, and to get to know people," Novotny said.
She is also transferring human resources information to a new software system, which she says is an issue because of the planning and testing that must be done prior to moving the information.
One of Novotny's goals is to "continue to build on the work that's been done to enhance the sense of community," as well as maintain equity and "[build] the capacity for a diverse population of faculty and staff on the campuses." However, she currently has no plans to make major changes at the district.
A faculty member reception welcomed Novotny to the district on Feb. 28 in De Anza's administration building lobby. It was open to both Foothill and De Anza faculty members.
"We received overwhelmingly positive references about her work in Washington state at Tacoma Community College and know firsthand that the faculty and staff who worked directly with her there were saddened that she accepted the position at Foothill-De Anza," said Chancellor Martha Kanter.
Novotny, who has had 25 years of experience in human resources, previously worked in local and state government positions. She resigned from her position at Tacoma Community College as the associate vice president for human resources primarily because of the opportunity to work for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, she said.
"I really got this strong sense of community in [the district]," Novotny said. "They have an excellent reputation, so being invited to be part of this community is really an honor."
Novotny works with others to "handle anything that is related to employment," including recruitment, benefit programs, health insurance, retirement programs, compensation and labor and employer relations. The majority of the students who Novotny works with on a daily basis are also employees.
"Right now, most of my time is being spent trying to really fast track as much as possible to learn new regulations, new contract provisions, new laws, new policies and procedures, and to get to know people," Novotny said.
She is also transferring human resources information to a new software system, which she says is an issue because of the planning and testing that must be done prior to moving the information.
One of Novotny's goals is to "continue to build on the work that's been done to enhance the sense of community," as well as maintain equity and "[build] the capacity for a diverse population of faculty and staff on the campuses." However, she currently has no plans to make major changes at the district.
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