Central to the core of who I am as an educator and leader has been a deep desire to make a positive difference in the lives our students. Getting an education literally saved me and one dedicated educator made all the difference. Higher education is a powerful lever for social change. Striving to pay it forward as a difference-maker, with gratitude for the opportunity to do so, and a first-hand understanding of how high the stakes are for so many students, has been a constant driving force.
While serving in administrative roles, I have continued to teach one undergraduate course a year and actively engage in improving my teaching abilities to impact student success. My commitment to teaching and learning provides me with invaluable insights regarding the critical role that faculty, students, and staff play in ensuring the success of the teaching and learning endeavor. From registration and advising systems to inclusive pedagogy and the primary unit criteria that inspires the contributions of faculty, I know that student success is a networked ecosystem with a myriad of levers, both small and large, operational and strategic, to push and pull when advancing positive change.