Each May, we recognize Military Spouse Appreciation Day*, a time to honor the resilience, sacrifice, and quiet strength of those who serve alongside our nation’s service members. For me, that recognition is both personal and professional.
Being a United States Marine Corps spouse did not simply shape my family life. It prepared me to serve in today’s complex community college environment.
I have the privilege of serving as president at Houston City College-Southeast within one of the nation’s largest community college systems. In partnership with our chancellor, fellow presidents, faculty, and staff, we work collectively to expand access and opportunity across a region, navigating workforce transformation, enrollment pressures, fiscal constraints, and rapid technological change.
Houston is home to the second-largest veteran population in the United States. Service is woven into the fabric of our city, which makes Military Spouse Appreciation Day more than symbolic. It is personal to the communities we serve.
The leadership required in this moment, steady, adaptive, and mission-focused, was forged long before I stepped into the presidency.
Early in my career, I was working at a college in Texas when my professional path was gaining momentum. New opportunities were emerging and the trajectory ahead felt clear.
