Longtime staff members hired as new deans

Dr. Beth Taylor Schott, Michael Medel and Jeanette Chian Brooks, all longtime classified staff members who excelled into management roles on campus, were recently hired as deans. Read more about them and their new roles below.

Dr. Beth Taylor Schott
Dean of Distance Education, Library, Faculty Resource Center and Learning Resource Center

Beth began working in the Learning Resource Center at SBCC in 2010, and has served in many learning support services roles at the college including in the Writing Center, tutoring, and most recently as the LRC Supervisor.

Beth has also served as a leader on campus for classified staff - both within CSEA (negotiator, site rep coordinator, executive board member and union steward) - and on shared governance, including CCG, CPC, BRAC, BPAP, Accreditation and A4A. 

She holds a PhD in Art History from UC Berkeley, and taught writing and art history at UC Berkeley, UCSB, USC, and through Adult Ed at SBCC. 

Beth began her role as dean on January 9.

 
 
Jeanette Chian Brooks
Dean of the School of Extended Learning

 Jeanette has been serving SBCC in a variety of roles since 2015. She started her career at SBCC as Associate Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning. From 2017 to 2021 Jeanette served as Associate Director/Director of the School of Extended Learning. From Aug. 2021 to Dec. 2022 Jeanette served in the role of Acting Dean of the School of Extended Learning.
Throughout her tenure at SBCC, Jeanette has contributed to the college community by serving on a variety of committees, work groups and task forces, and has also represented her colleagues by serving on the ALA Leadership Committee. Jeanette brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role. 
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Michael Medel
Dean of Business, Scheinfeld Center, Career Center and Media Arts 

Michael's journey began at SBCC as a student athlete. He transferred to San Diego State University where he obtained a bachelor's degree, and later, a graduate degree from CSU Northridge. Upon graduating from SDSU, Michael returned to SBCC with a determination and passion to serve students and help those populations that are most marginalized achieve their dreams.

He has since dedicated the last 20 years working in a leadership role at SBCC in a variety of areas including Orientation Programs, Financial Aid, Enrollment Services, Admissions and Records and currently, as interim Dean of the Business Division. In addition, Michael has been teaching courses as part-time faculty member in the Communication Department for the last 17 years at SBCC as well as Ventura and Oxnard Community Colleges. 

Medel has also served his community through membership in Santa Barbara Fair and Exposition Board of Directors, and currently serves as the Vice President on the board of directors for the nonprofit organization Leading from Within. He previously held board positions at both the Goleta Boys & Girls Club and the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County.  

Medel begins his permanent position as dean on February 1.