Rio Hondo College Alumni, Dale Harvey began his career as a part-time professor fresh out of graduate school. A year later, in 1974 he was teaching full-time at RHC. Harvey retired from teaching five years ago and as of July 2016, became Interim Dean of Arts and Cultural Programs.

Harvey credits his career to instructors he met early in his education. Instructors that made learning fun, and ultimately inspired his learning of the arts. After he transferred to California State University Fullerton, he would often return to RHC to talk to students about his experience. He continued a connection with instructors all while attending graduate school at CSUF.

He got hired as an adjunct. A year later in 1974, he was teaching full-time. He tested the waters when he was named Interim Dean of the Arts about 20 years ago, a position he held for one year.

In 1987, Harvey took a sabbatical year to learn more about computer graphics. In turn, he enrolled in every class he possibly could. During that time, computer graphics was fairly new, and technology that was not available at RHC.

When he returned from leave, Harvey along with other instructors pioneered a curriculum that competed with other local institutions. This curriculum is still taught today and RHC is still among the top colleges offering courses on the latest technological trends.

Being an educator is what Harvey enjoys most. He shared that some of his most gratifying moments have been when former students thank him for having had such a positive impact on their professional careers. It is “so great to share information and [to see it] turned into something successful,” Harvey said.

Harvey, says RHC has “amazing faculty, especially the Art Department, who are willing to do what it takes to help students succeed.” He shared, “it is a great job.”

He wants students to know they are “lucky to be here, they chose the right place. They will learn they can do anything they want to do —they may not believe that yet, but they will.”