Introducing: Dana Cotton, Chair of Humanistic and Artistic, Social Science, and Written and Oral Communication, College of Eastern Idaho
Describe the business/organization you work for:
The College of Eastern Idaho is the newest designated public community college in Idaho. The main campus is located in Idaho Falls, but the outreach spreads all through the region and state.
What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization?
I have been an educator for over twenty-five years, with more than half of that experience being through distance modalities. When I became acquainted with CEI, formerly Eastern Idaho Technical College (EITC), I instantly connected to the people and their mission to serve a variety of students, local industries, and the community.
What sets this business apart from others in the industry?
What most obviously sets CEI apart from other higher education institutions is that we are the newest college in Idaho, making it an exciting time to be part of the team that continues to create CEI's foundation as an impactful resource and asset to our region and state.
What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them?
From our first president, Dr. Rick Aman, came a quote we now use often at CEI: "Building the airplane while it's flying." While the campus has established many facets of our institution, we continue to grow rapidly, providing us with plenty of opportunities to keep building the airplane while it's still in the air. As a department chair, my biggest challenges are my biggest rewards: navigating learning and teaching by meeting students and faculty exactly where they are, and supporting their success. Open communication, collaboration, and problem-solving are essential processes for overcoming any challenge I face.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry?
There are many types of people and positions that contribute to making a college successful, so my first piece of advice is to determine where their talents can best serve an institution of higher education. If it is through teaching, I suggest applying to be an adjunct instructor to see what teaching at a college is all about.
About the Idaho Technology Council
The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for innovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org.
Connect with Dana on LinkedIn HERE
Check out College of Eastern Idaho HERE
