PHSC Mathematics Professor Juan Burbano , born in Quito , Ecuador , came to the United States about 60 years ago . A desire to discover the world led him to Central University in Madrid and then summer classes in the United Kingdom . Encouraging friends led him to the Tampa area , where he continued to attend college , put down roots , and began working for a recently established Pasco-Hernando Community College . Juan has been with the college for 40 of its 50 years as a full-time faculty member , plus an additional six as an adjunct . Having been with the College for most of its history — Juan taught thousands of students and shared their joy as they crossed the stage at commencement .
You have been at PHSC for 40 years ; how has the institution changed ? In the early days , we went from teaching in churches to having our own building and campus , and later multiple campuses . When I started , gas was $ 0.30 a gallon , five students made a class load , and the salary was $ 7,000 annually . It ’ s been wonderful to see the College grow .
What are some of your best memories of your time working here ? In addition to teaching mathematics classes , I also taught Spanish . I had a student in my Spanish class named Milton , and he was a good student . It wasn ’ t until after the course and instructor evaluations that an administrator mentioned who Milton was . ‘ Oh yes , Milton was in my class ,’ I said , ‘ and he is the College president ?’ I had no idea !
Forty years is a long time ; what about PHSC kept you so committed to the College ? When teaching something challenging and I see a student ’ s facial expressions go from confused to lighting up with a smile — I know they get it and that is rewarding . It is a pleasure to hear students comment , ‘ you gave me permission to believe in myself ’ and ‘ I never thought I could do math until you convinced me I could do it .’ This is what inspires me to continue teaching . I love my students .
What do you want people to know about PHSC ? What is a special element about the College that not many people know or talk about ? Many years ago , when I was Mathematics Department Chair , I was charged by the College ’ s first President , Dr . Milton O . Jones , to help implement College-Level Academic Skills Test ( CLAST ), which was a way students could demonstrate proficiency of the College-Level Academic Skills ( CLAS ) set . This opportunity put me in touch with the latest testing and materials . In comparison to other colleges , we had a competitive advantage . We were always in the upper 10 %. I believe it was one turning point for the College as it offered us credibility as a higher education institution .
Professor Juan Burbano 40 + Years and Counting
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Where do you see yourself in 10 more years ? As long as my health allows me to work and help students , I will stay here . Helping students is my motivation .
How do you feel you have impacted the lives of students the most ? About 40 students I taught chose to become math teachers . Two of those students became full-time professors at PHSC — Shirley Cherry and Sarah Fede .
What is the biggest challenge facing higher education right now , and where do you see things going moving forward , post pandemic ? Many students do very well online , and one issue is that while that is true , there is another percentage that doesn ’ t do well online . Focusing on one direction may leave some behind , and that ’ s not fair . We must continually realize that students have different learning styles , and we need to be flexible .
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