Chris Glaves has been teaching engineering and math within SCCCD for 21 years. The first 11 were at Reedley College and the last 10 at the North Centers, where he started the Engineering Program. Now, as an instructor at Willow International Center, Glaves continues guiding students in the pursuit of math and science.

After growing up in Sacramento, Glaves earned a bachelor’s of science from Stanford and a master’s from the University of New Mexico. He spent time as an officer on a nuclear submarine for the United States Navy, and later worked as a chemical engineer, designing chemical services for the nuclear power industry. He also worked for Dow Chemical, researching and developing herbicides.

But the pull of education was too strong for Glaves, and he eventually found himself teaching full-time at Reedley College. It was a job he loved.

“Science, engineering, and technology change so fast that students must become independent learners and thinkers.” –Chris Glaves
Engineering instructor

“Over the years I have taught 11 different math courses and seven different engineering courses,” Glaves said. “I love teaching the subject matter that I do.”

After moving from Reedley College to Willow International, Glaves retained his straightforward approach to teaching.

“Though it was a long time ago,” he said, “I still remember the frustration one can feel trying to learn science, mathematics, and engineering theory. I try very hard to prepare lectures that make the subject matter as clear as possible. When the students are ready to transfer, my goal is that they can truly think and reason out problems for themselves. Science, engineering, and technology change so fast that students must become independent learners and thinkers.”

Each year, Glaves leads the introductory engineering students in a design competition with engineering students from many of the area’s colleges and universities. The competition takes place every November.

“Over the years,” he said, “our students have designed vehicles that competed in a sand-pit tug-of-war, vehicles that traversed a tightrope and dropped pennies into target areas, beanbag launchers, bridges made entirely of newspaper and glue, and balsa wood gliders.”

Glaves is also co-chair of the committee for the accreditation process for Willow International Center. Once accredited, it will form the new Clovis Community College, the third college in the District. The remaining North Centers will be contained under the umbrella of the new college.

“The North Centers of SCCCD include an energetic and dynamic group of faculty, staff, administrators, and students,” Glaves said. “It would be nice to have an independent identity that’s recognized at the state level, with an academic senate and curriculum committee devoted to serving the unique area our students come from.”

While the accreditation process moves forward, Glaves will continue teaching as he always has.

“I have enjoyed every year of teaching and interacting with colleagues, both at Reedley College and the North Centers,” he said. “I don’t think that it is possible to have a better job than one dedicated to the pursuit and transmission of knowledge.”

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