Faculty

You’ll find that VU’s faculty are dedicated to helping you make the very most of your college experience. Throughout your Liberal Studies major your advisor will discuss your progress in the program and guide you through your coursework.

You will also have the opportunity to build relationships with the Graduate Education faculty, all of whom have extensive experience in classroom teaching and educational research.

	Dixie L. Arnold is Chair of the Division of Liberal Studies. Dr. Arnold holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (University of La Verne), an M.A. in Education (United States International University), and a B.A. in Education (California State University at Long Beach). She has a California Teaching Credential (Life) and a Professional Administrative Services Credential. Dr. Arnold taught for thirty years in California public schools and also served as an administrator for eight years at the middle and elementary school levels. Dr. Arnold’s areas of interest are curriculum standards, empowering teachers as educational leaders, parent/teacher partnerships, and the development of positive, motivational classroom learning environments.
	Kenneth Killian is a part-time assistant professor in the Division of Liberal Studies. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Killian was an adjunct professor at Vanguard University for two years. Mr. Killian has a Master of Science Degree from Indiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sterling College. He holds a California Schools Teaching Credential and an Administrative Credential from the University of California, Riverside. Mr. Killian has completed graduate studies at Academia Hispano Americana in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and at Harvard University. Mr. Killian has over 36 years of public school educational experience as a teacher and principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. He serves on the Teacher Education Advisory Committee at Vanguard University and is a retired member of the Advisory Board for the Principals’ Center, Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. His interests include mentoring school administrators, working with at risk students, and integrating technology into standards based curriculum.
	Jan Martin is the Administrative Secretary for the Liberal Studies Department. She helps students and faculty in all areas relating to Liberal Studies. Jan comes to Vanguard after a number of years working in the local school districts. Jan and Dr. Arnold worked together in the Huntington Beach City School District for seven years, where Jan was the school’s Office Manager. Jan and her husband, Steve, live in Huntington Beach and have two children, Heather and Kyle, both recent college graduates.