For nearly three decades, I have had the privilege of serving community college students. Regardless of my roles over the years, I can attest that true leadership is embedded in advocating, advancing and holding sacred the philosophy and mission of our community colleges through a personal commitment to serve our students and our communities.
An effective community college leader is committed to its philosophy and mission and holds these sacred, like an unwavering “oath of office.” The commitment to serve our students and communities is a responsibility, placing it above self-interest or competing demands that might compromise these most basic tenets. Together, community college leaders have continued to hold on to this profound and effective community college tradition.
On March 31, 2021, I retired as superintendent/president of College of the Desert (COD) in California. It was a pleasure to serve for the past nine
years at COD as well as be an advocate of the community college mission for more than 30 years. I am filled with immense gratitude and appreciation about how higher education can positively change the lives of our students and their families as they achieve their educational goals and aspirations. It has, indeed, been a privilege and honor to have a career that provides opportunities to grow and develop personally, professionally and spiritually. Thirty years ago, I would not have been able to envision that this journey would have been so inspirational and rewarding, transforming me in unimaginable ways, teaching and allowing me to be “comfortable in my own skin,” and opening my eyes to view our multifaceted world in ways that otherwise would have remained in the darkness.
As I reflect upon my career, I am most proud of the many barriers that I have helped dismantle for my fellow administrators, faculty, staff and, most importantly, our students. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I know how traditions of yesteryear often block the success of those who do not fit a specific mold. Being a leader requires setting the bar high and shedding light on the darkness of social and environmental injustice as well as discrimination in every form. Change is never easy, and such battles are not for the faint of heart. However, what fills my soul and what I will remember most will not be the amount of time served nor money earned but the environment we are all challenged to orchestrate that reinforces equality and offers an equitable chance for everyone to have a happy and fulfilling life.
So, I offer this thought to everyone who has been called to serve community college students and community stakeholders: Developing leadership within the fabric of our colleges calls upon all of us to reinforce the historical basis of our existence and the philosophies leading to innovative educational opportunities in an open-access environment that is committed to fostering excellence for everyone.
It was refreshing to be affiliated with an organization such as College of the Desert in which the Board of Trustees embraced the importance of leadership development by providing 50% of the tuition to college employees to pursue their doctorate degrees through Kansas State University’s John E. Roueche Center for Community College Leadership.
