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Jan Kathleen Ellis - TEACHER, COLLEGUE, PATRON, FRIEND. Professor Jan Ellis was a part of the Mesa College community for 33 years. She served as the Department Chair for Physical Education, Dance, and Athletics from 2012 until her retirement in August 2015. Professor Ellis was a strong supporter and patron of Coach Heidi Sarmiento-Wilson; founder and lead instructor of San Diego Mesa College Martial Arts & Kickboxing program. Professor Ellis taught many areas of dance including: Jazz Dance & Performance, Dance Repertoire, Sound Design for Dance, and Choreography. Aside from instructing various dance courses, Ellis took many leadership roles and paved the way for the Physical Education, Health, and Dance curriculum since joining the Mesa community in 1980 as an adjunct professor. She was the initial writer of the Program Review for the Dance Department, which would assist in ensuring the quality in courses and success of student dancers. Jan worked closely with the Mesa Dance Company, coordinating shows twice a year as well as providing Dance and Movement Workshops for Educators every summer. Jan dedicated much of her life and time to better her own community as well as push for the progress of exercise programs in schools. Her 2012 Professional Dance Educator of the Year award was one of the many highlights of her career. CAHPERD is a non-profit corporation that exists to create organized health, dance, and physical education programs across the nation. She was a recipient of the 2014 SCOPE Dance Educator of the Year which celebrated her professional and academic efforts. Aside from her rigorous academic accomplishments, she also partook in the design of the new Exercise Science building. She pushed for many of the features and designs that now exist for the student body and faculty to enjoy and remember her by. Jan Kathleen Ellis’ spirit and light will live eternally within the lives of the many students, fellow colleagues, and family whom were fortunate enough to know her. Her family has partaken in the creation of the Jan Ellis Memorial Scholarship for students at San Diego Mesa College. Becca Partida Montes, Staff Writer/Photographer September 16, 2016 The Mesa Press San Diego Mesa College Jan Ellis was the heart and soul of the SD Mesa College dance program. She had knowledge, experience, and an abundance of love and support for her students and colleagues. She gave her time generously. She knit baby blankets for every new baby in the department. She was a mother figure to many, as she reached out to those in crisis or in need of guidance. She was deeply invested in her students. She gave her students the courage and confidence to pursue their dreams. She no doubt inspired many of her students to pass on her love of dance and commitment to education and the arts. Her students went on to earn Bachelors and Masters degrees. Many pursued careers in dance, becoming professional dancers, dance teachers, and choreographers. Jan Ellis' choreography was the highlight of many dance concerts. In the Fall 2015 semester, the dance department dedicated a concert, “Reflections,” to her. The Mesa College dance community was so grateful to have had the opportunity to re-stage her most profound work in her honor. For the first time, Professor Ellis was able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her hard work and dedication as an audience member. We were so blessed that she was able to experience the deeply felt love we have for her. Her ties to the college and dance community run deep, and she remained in close contact with many of her former students and colleagues. Always smiling, and often donning purple or polka dots, Jan Ellis has left an incredible legacy at SD Mesa College, where her work will be acknowledged and her presence will be felt for many years to come. - SD Mesa College Dance Faculty |
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A TRIBUTE TO JAN ELLIS |
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Video via SD Mesa College Dance |
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