Team
Welcome, Kody Stimpson
Dean of Innovation and Institutional Effectiveness
What is your role at Merced College?
I serve as the Dean of Innovation and Institutional Effectiveness, which means I get the privilege of working alongside two extraordinary teams. The Innovation Team—our instructional designers, educational technologists, and curriculum specialists—are creative problem-solvers who are leading the charge in areas like Dreamscape Learn, immersive learning, artificial intelligence, competency-based education (CBE), and credit for prior learning (CPL). Equally inspiring is our Office of Institutional Effectiveness, where an incredibly talented group turns data into action, ensuring that every effort we take is meaningful, measurable, and centered on students. My role is really about supporting and amplifying the brilliance of these teams, making sure their work continues to spark purposeful, impactful innovation across Merced College.
What part of your job do you enjoy most?
Without question, it’s the people. Merced College is full of creative, passionate colleagues who care deeply about our students and are eager to explore bold new ideas. What I’ve always wanted to do is bring creative solutions to life—solutions that impact students by removing barriers to their educational journey and opening doors of opportunity. I get to do that here, working alongside inspiring colleagues.
And then at the end of the day, after collaborating on work that really matters, I get to step outside into the beautiful country air of Merced. For me, it’s the perfect mix of purpose and place. If you ever want to talk ideas, big or small, I’d love to connect.
Tell us about yourself. What brought you to Merced College?
My family and I moved to Merced about six months ago, and we couldn’t be happier. The community has been so warm and welcoming, and we’re excited to plant roots here. I was born in Idaho and spent the last 10 years at Arizona State University while raising our six kids.
Merced College is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most innovative colleges in the country—thanks to the vision of our president, leadership, and the campus community—and I wanted to be part of that momentum. On a personal note, moving here feels like the best of both worlds: the green beauty of Idaho without the snow, and the sunshine of Arizona without the 122-degree summers. People keep warning me about the heat here, but honestly, I’m still waiting for it.
How do you see your work or your role evolving in the next few years?
I see my role focused on building trust, collaboration, and transparency with faculty and staff. Looking ahead, I see incredible opportunities to amplify innovation efforts across the college, cultivating spaces where bold ideas can grow and thrive. The rise of AI, the expansion of Dreamscape Learn, and other emerging approaches to teaching and learning will continue to shape higher education, and I want Merced College to be at the forefront.
My hope is to work side-by-side with colleagues to turn innovation into impact, making sure every step forward is intentional and focused on student success. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help ensure that Merced College is known not just for being innovative, but for being a place where innovation changes lives. If you ever have an idea you’d like to explore, I’d be excited to hear about it.
