My First Year as a College President

“Dream until it becomes a reality, then dream some more.”

I want to spend more time day dreaming about possibilities for change and less time feeling restricted in my own or others decision making. What I experienced this past year as a new college president was a series of highs and lows. While experiencing a learning curve in this new environment, my experience and wisdom have guided me through the challenges and opportunities.

During my short tenure I have experience a great deal of turmoil, trauma, and transition. Out of this turmoil, I have strived to lead the organization with empathy and compassion adopting new processes and practices to implement change through an equity lens, trauma-informed response, and culturally responsive health and wellness services to meet the needs of our nearly 70% Latine student population, students of color, LGBTQ+ community, and diverse employee groups.

I have prioritized mental health and wellness, emergency planning and preparedness, equity-minded decision making, diversity and equity in hiring, rebranding of the Office of the President, revitalizing the external advisory board, and launch of a new President’s Advisory Council with a focus on DEIA, Antiracism, and Belonging toward Social and Economic Justice. All of these efforts have been in collaboration with a committed group of colleagues open and ready for organizational change.

Our challenge ahead is to ensure these collective efforts are sustained beyond the individuals, and become part of the fabric of the institution. I have also been given a gift of joining my organization during a new era ripe for change. I have made meaningful connections with faculty, administrators, classified professionals, and students who care fiercely about our college community, and the greater good for equity and justice.

Overall, it has been a remarkable year! I’ve learned more, listened often, laughed out loud, and taken action steps. I have established meaningful relationships, worked to build community, and have begun new traditions grounded in equity and justice for students and employees.