Brian Holloway, IVCC’s new dean of humanities, fine arts and social sciences, has settled in and started making plans for the future.

Holloway started in his position in mid-December after history professor Steve Alvin filled in for a semester as interim dean of the division.

First, Holloway explained what exactly a dean’s job is. While many may have rambled off a long list of duties, Holloway summed it up to almost one word: “intersection.” Holloway elaborated, saying that a dean holds the interests of both the faculty and the administration; picture Holloway in a great big balancing act of needs and wants between everyone that keeps a college afloat.

Passion resonated on Holloway’s face while explaining the concept of a dean. Holloway, who held a dean position in a Missouri college, even explained that despite his other endeavors, like multiple book projects, nothing brought as much joy to him as being a dean. That is what brought him here to IVCC; it also helps that he and his wife both have family in Illinois.

“This is a great place to be and work and achieve great things,” Holloway said about his new home.

Holloway has several goals in his new position. Two main ideas stood at the forefront of what Holloway is trying to achieve. His first mentioned idea is to build interest and participation in the college from not only the students but the whole community as well. His other main point is aimed at helping the students; Holloway wants to push innovation and creativity in how the curriculum is explained and how students choose their classes.

Holloway has a huge focus on communication between him and his faculty: “The faculty is the owners of the curriculum. It is their perception which is important and it should be respected.” Holloway was driving the
idea that everyone must be involved in
order to make correct and beneficial decisions.

Holloway not only believes in a connection between faculty but in curriculum as well. When asked why he chose to be dean of humanities and arts, Holloway explained that before receiving his Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, he had to study courses of music and art. He explicated that taking so many different courses showed him that true learning encompassed all types of studies and therefore all should be promoted.

Holloway, now settled into his new home, has met his new crossroads and plans to grow the connection from student to teacher to administration at IVCC.