Happy 4th of July Law/Paralegal Students,

 

After 20 years at the helm as Director of the Paralegal Studies program, I am retiring as the full time director. I will take a break for the Fall 2017 semester, and then return as an adjunct law instructor (just one class please) in the Paralegal Program.

 

There is never a precise, best time to retire, especially since I so much love our paralegal program, our students, law faculty, teaching, and our college. Over the last 5 semesters I/We have updated all of the course outlines, evaluated all of our law faculty, conducted a student focus group to suggest improvements in the program, implemented a common student learning outcomes assessment, concluded a comprehensive program review of our law program through our Educational Planning Committee, added 7 high school classes as part of the Pathways to Law program, piloted 8 week online and hybrid/on campus classes for Fall 2017, selected and mentored new law faculty, and much more in anticipation of “passing the torch” to a new program director.

 

Our paralegal program has had only 2 directors over the last 30 years. Ed Kellogg, the founder of the paralegal program (1987-1997) and Prof J. (1997-2017).  Now is the time to shepherd our program to the next generation.  Our paralegal program is well prepared for new changes, and directions. I am ready for a fun filled and robust next chapter. I plan on reading, writing, taking classes, more exercise, more time outside, less time at the computer, more time with my lovely wife and our granddaughters, traveling, visiting museums, and celebrating the good life. 

 

Our Paralegal Program will continue in Fall 2017 with all of our scheduled classes.  Our excellent Department Chair, Vilma Bernal, will be in charge until a new program director is hired. You can contact her at bernalva@lamission.edu - campus phone - (818) 833-3410 if you have any questions.

 

You can also email me a greatlawteacher@gmail.com, or abogado@pacbell.net and my cell phone is 818-415-2015. Please contact me if if you need any help with your resume, or looking for a job. Also sign up for the new LA Mission College Career Center, either as a current student, or if you have just graduated, as an alumni. There you can search for jobs, internships, and volunteer activities, build your career portfolio to showcase your achievement, access career advice podcasts. Log on at http://www.lamission.edu/careercenter/jobboard.aspx

 

A piece of my heart will always be with our program. I am so grateful to all of you for enriching my life everyday.

 

My best to each of you, and I hope to hear about your successes as you follow your path.

 

Until our roads cross again,

 

Prof J. with a big smile