Dr. Paul R. Watson II serves as the Vice President for Instruction at Kellogg Community College. Prior to that appointment, he has served Pennsylvania College of Technology in multiple administrative roles, as a high school teacher in Jefferson, New York, and as an assistant professor of mathematics at Houghton College.
With an outlook that systems-thinking effects positive change, Watson creates and supports leadership teams and communities that are bases for sustainable change. As a transformative leader, he excels in building relationships that allow for authenticity, transparency, and collaboration where one can exemplify the curiosity, inquiry skills, and scholarly competencies needed to investigate an idea and transform it into meaningful action. Additionally, rooted in the personal belief that all students can learn and can be successful, Watson’s emphasis on the learning paradigm provides a focused perspective on student success. He is committed to ensuring the academic and economic empowerment of diverse learners and their communities by developing authentic partnerships that ensure safe and equitable learning environments that promote belonging, active engagement, and student success. He regularly engages with students, faculty and staff – sharing a meal, attending performances or athletic events, participating in student orientations and leadership development programs, as well as intentionally making connections in hallways and offices.
He has extensive experiences in higher education, and has successfully worked to provide intentional and innovative pathways for transfer, dual and concurrent enrollment, continuing education, workforce development, and career and technical education. Watson fully engages in fostering community connections as respected partners and has been recognized at the state-level for his work on chamber of commerce taskforces, civic organizations, and contributing towards multi-county economic development efforts. He has had the opportunity and experience in advocating at the local, regional, state, and national level for meaningful change in legislation that would positively affect his community, higher education, and students.
Watson serves as a Higher Learning Commission Peer Reviewer, and serves on the Executive Board of the Council of Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges.
Watson holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management from Drexel University, an M.S. in Teaching & Curriculum from the University of Rochester, an M.S. in Mathematics Education from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Houghton College.
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