Self-criticism crucial for success

Charles Snare, current dean of Teaching and Learning, recently accepted the position of vice president of academic affairs. Snare sat down with The Eagle to discuss his past, the college, and the nuances of higher education.

Snare named adaptability as one of the qualities that have allowed him to succeed professionally throughout a career that has spanned numerous job markets, geographic locales, and cultures.

Snare’s professional career in higher education began with a 10-year tenure at a college in Georgia, before travelling to Palmer, Alaska, where was hired as the assistant director for academic affairs at Matanuska Susitna College.

Currently in his sixth year at CSC, Snare said that his colleagues are the most inspirational part of his job.

“I think you would be hard-pressed to find as many committed staff members as we have here at CSC,” Snare said.

Snare said one of the strongest elements of the college was the faculty’s concern about what students learn.

“When you get motivated people excited about learning, you get exciting results,” Snare said.

A well-read scholar, Snare looks to the wealth of literature published about higher education in order to make well-informed choices for the benefit of the institution.

“What the literature is telling us is that employers want people who are team members, who have excellent verbal and written communication skills, who are critical thinkers, and who can employ self-criticism,” Snare said.

Snare elaborated on the idea of self-criticism, saying, “Success doesn’t tell us what we did right.” Snare said feedback is a crucial component of learning, and accurate, timely, and objective feedback can assist students with their learning.