The first finalist for the vice president of student engagement position said at a public forum Monday that if hired, she wants to support students’ needs and lifelong learning.

Latricia Brand, interim dean of development at Portland Community College, said student engagement is measured by the degree of comfort, attention, curiosity, interest, passion, interaction and support in the educational environment.

She stressed that students should be getting tangible and transferable skills they actually know how to apply.

“We all know that many students come with not a fully clear and developed idea of what really gets them jazzed,” Brand said.

Brand said recognizing gaps in our own understanding, and wanting to continue to increase our understanding, will prepare students for the work and social environments they’re moving into.

“We should ask how to continue to have students think about the benefits of lifelong learning, whatever form that it takes,” Brand said. “It doesn’t have to take the form of professional degree or graduate degree. But it should take form in some way in which you’re still curious about how you can master skills to continue to feel like you can make a difference.”

She said that to deepen student engagement, she wants not only to make sure students are involved in engagement opportunities, but also to help students who are engaged continue along that developmental path.

Brand said she doesn’t currently have specific goals for the position. However, she said she hopes to help Mary Jo Gonzales, vice president of Student Affairs, understand ways she can better support student engagement.

“I think that my role would be to continue to address larger conversations around resources, supports, and student needs,” Brand said.