VISION FOR VALLEY CAMPUS NEW ADMINISTRATOR HAS BIG IDEAS FOR CAL STATE BRANCH.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - After 15 years helping develop a university center in Arizona, John Hultsman is looking forward to doing the same in the Antelope Valley.

Hultsman arrived in the Antelope Valley in August to take the newly created post of associate vice president/director of California State University Bakersfield's Antelope Valley campus - overseeing a center providing state university courses to more than 1,000 students.

``Creating a new educational enterprise is the most gratifying thing I've ever done,'' Hultsman said. ``I did it once; now I get to do it twice.''

Hultsman is coming in at a time when the Antelope Valley's efforts to bring in four-year university courses is about to hit a major milestone - the opening of the Lancaster University Center.

California State University officials plan to begin classes Sept. 14 in the former Challenger Hall building, which had been an exhibit hall and community gathering spot of the old Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Under a $3.5 million effort, the building is being remodeled to house 13 classrooms for upper-division college courses.

The project is a joint effort of CSU campuses in Fresno and Bakersfield; Antelope Valley College; private industry; and local and federal government.

With the opening of the Lancaster University Center, Cal State Bakersfield will double its floor space in the Antelope Valley to about 40,000 square feet and be able to consolidate some of the classes that have been scattered around the community.

The project is seen as a steppingstone toward the Antelope Valley's own complete four-year university - an effort civic leaders have worked on for more than 15 years.

Hultsman had been director of partnership for community development and professor of recreation and tourism at Arizona State University West in Phoenix, a satellite campus of ASU in Tempe.

Hultsman's experience with developing the Arizona State University West center was noted in the announcement of his hiring. Cal State Bakersfield officials said while at ASU West, Hultsman obtained grants, implemented and evaluated programs, and assisted in public relations.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities has ranked ASU West first in community engagement in the nation, Cal State Bakersfield officials said.

``In addition to being successful in the areas of strategic planning and campus accreditation, Dr. Hultsman has been involved in curriculum, program and facilities development for many years now,'' said Mark Evans, interim dean of Cal State Bakersfield's Extended University. ``It is essential that we have a high level of academic leadership on campus - someone who has optimism combined with a realistic perspective.''

George Runner, a former Lancaster mayor and assemblyman who has worked on expanding the center as a state lawmaker and as a consultant to the city of Lancaster, praised the creation of the new administrative post.

``I think it's an indication of the commitment they have to expanding the program here,'' Runner said. ``He has experience working with other centers and he has an interest in developing broad-based community support.''

Hultsman said he wants the center to reflect the needs of the community and be responsive to students' needs. Toward those ends, Hultsman said he plans to form a community advisory board and a student advisory board.

``In the 21st century, colleges need to be part of, not apart from, the community,'' Hultsman said. ``We have to be an integral part of the community.''

For students, Hultsman said he wants to make sure the students receive the kinds of services they would get at the main campus such as counseling and tutoring.

``I want to make sure the students here get equitable treatment,'' Hultsman said.

How quickly the center will expand will largely be shaped by the state's budget situation. As the state budget woes ease, Hultsman said he would like to see additional course offerings in education, humanities, natural science, and business.

Prior to his post at ASU West, Hultsman had been a tenured faculty member at Purdue University. Previously, Hultsman was the recreation planner and program coordinator for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Hultsman, who grew up in Arkansas, holds a bachelor of science degree in physical sciences from Kansas University, a master's degree in recreation from the University of Missouri and a doctorate in recreation from Indiana University.

Cal State Bakersfield has held classes in the Antelope Valley since the late 1980s, operating out of leased commercial space, and opened a satellite campus at Antelope Valley College in 1996.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Associate Vice President John Hultsman arrives from Arizona State University West in Phoenix.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer