Alumni
Profiles of Success
Dr. Richard D. McCullough
President Emeritus
Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
M.S. ’69 Purdue University; Ph.D. U.S. International University
As president of Saddleback College Dr. Richard D. McCullough functioned as the CEO of a 25,000 student California community college in Mission Viejo. He was responsible for all aspects of the college including budget, curriculum, maintenance and public relations. He began as faculty at Saddleback in 1971 and served as Department Chair, Dean, VPI and then President. Each step led to the next position as he accomplished his personal goals at each level and the next step seemed appropriate. His true love is teaching and electron microscopy research over the 37 odd years he spent at Saddleback.
McCullough earned his M.S. biology degree at Purdue University in 1969; the Dean of Saddleback at that time was a graduate of Purdue and contacted McCullough for a job interview. As McCullough says, the rest is history, but does show the importance of networking.
All of McCullough’s various teaching experiences were the most important training for his career as an administrator. He was able to use his experiences in guiding the college in a direction that was most beneficial to the Mission of the college which is to provide the best possible learning environment. A good biology instructor has to be a well rounded individual. Biology education does not exist in a vacuum but is tied to world history, politics, philosophy, religion and integrated with all of the other sciences. The more well-rounded an individual is the better to put biological principles into perspective and make the learning more meaningful. Research is also critical. This is where real science is and not in textbooks. Giving references to one’s individual research brightens any lecture and give the students a taste of real science.
McCullough suggests that students stay the course, stick with their goals and they will find that a biological sciences major sees the world differently than other academic preparations. He believes this view of the world is well worth the effort and will give meaning to many aspects of life that will make it all worthwhile.