For 10 years, I have been offering leadership seminars for the purpose of preparing the next generation of Santa Fe college’s transformational leaders.
Sometimes, unintended consequences are good. This year, Santa Fe College was named the best college in the nation by the Aspen Institute. This honor was awarded not for having been sought but because we continue to perfect the college’s mission, procedures and practices.
It should not surprise anyone who knows the work of the students, faculty and staff who comprise the Santa Fe College family. They are exceptional and, just as importantly, committed to performing at the highest levels. It is no accident that Santa Fe came to Aspen’s attention. You could opine it was intentional and unintentional. Since the college’s inception, the college intended to improve student learning, degree completion, job placement, and minority and low-income student success. These areas just happen to be the same criteria used to award the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. In addition, being number one belongs to everyone in our community.
I am intentional in developing good leaders. I am in awe of the ingenuity demonstrated by those who work at Santa Fe College. The foundation of our college’s success is based on our many talented and innovative employees. Part of achieving our potential has been hiring the right leaders — our provost and vice presidents possess the values that we embrace, the skills we respect, the talent we admire, and the humility regarding themselves and respect for others that enable them to carry out their responsibilities. All these characteristics have a positive influence on others.
Several members of our leadership team are approaching retirement age. This is a challenge and an opportunity. It’s the opportunity for me to be deliberate and intentional in preparing the next generation of leaders.
The three-day President’s Leadership Seminar provides employees with the background to assume greater levels of responsibility and ensures that much of Santa Fe’s future leadership will emerge from our ranks. It is disconcerting when outstanding leaders retire. However, it is emboldening to look at the skills and talents of our new and existing employees. Many have the potential to become inspiring leaders.
My leadership seminar will be offered again in the fall. Presenters have included former Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter, University of Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley, community activist Rosa Williams, former UF basketball coach Billy Donovan and former Florida House of Representatives Speaker Will Weatherford along with many more exemplary local, state and national leaders. I select presenters who are passionate about their fields, are good speakers and know their areas better than anyone. They easily convey their knowledge and enthusiasm to our diverse group of participants, who represent every department and job classification at the college.
The presenters personify characteristics I consider inherent to good leadership. These include integrity, intelligence, a strong work ethic, a joyful countenance and willingness to believe that a goal or mission can be accomplished. A good leader does not consider anything less than optimum service when considering an opportunity. Leaders know it can be done even before they know how to get it done.
It is my clear intent to prepare leaders through modeling behavior. Recently, I had the opportunity to address a 14-member delegation from Indonesia. This large, growing and prospering nation is establishing its own community college system, and the delegation was at Santa Fe for two weeks to learn about best management practices in American community colleges. We are the lead community college partner on this important U.S. Department of State project that is part of Santa Fe’s longstanding International Initiative. I had another goal when speaking with our distinguished guests — I was hopefully modeling good leadership traits in my thoughts and actions.
Leadership is a blend of art and science that is continually evolving. Core principles are at its base, yet leadership, while strongly grounded, is carried out in complex and changing circumstances. There is always more to learn about leadership. One of the best ways to learn is to observe other leaders. Similarly, the leader understands that his or her behavior can be as powerful a motivating force, or more so, than the classic training in methods and principles. Leadership approaches can be absorbed by others without being directly taught. So, it is my clear intent to train or prepare leaders through modeling behavior. Equity is embedded in our decisionmaking and operations. We value students equally, whether they have a GED or a 4.2 GPA and just missed getting accepted at the University of Florida. That is a hallmark of our success. Students who are academically well prepared are likely to thrive anywhere, while those without such an advantage can have high rates of completion when they are respected and supported. We must practice and live what we believe and admonish. Thus, we must demonstrate to our colleagues what we demonstrate to our students and communities.
We display our high regard for our employees by treating them fairly and humanely. It’s a matter of respect. It is part of our culture. We recognize that to lead anyone, there must be a core appreciation for individuals regardless of their standing in life or their race, gender, economic standing or academic preparedness. As is the case with each student regardless of academic readiness, the person who has the least influence in an organization must be accorded the same dignity as the person with the most.
Respect means that a good leader never demeans anyone in front of others. One still must confront what isn’t right and take steps to address it but never in such a way as to embarrass an individual publicly. People will learn, absorb, and observe what you do to someone else and then either consciously or subconsciously wonder if you will treat them in the same way. Such behavior is rare at Santa Fe because, almost by self-selection, we in higher education are egalitarian and humane. If we see someone not being treated well, we are quick to denounce such behavior and to act.
At Santa Fe College, egalitarianism is a mainstay of how we lead. We have a strong sense of shared ownership. Of course, the ultimate responsibility rests upon the leader. Yet, a wise leader genuinely fosters cooperation and applies good counsel from the employees. The best decisions are informed by a diversity of opinions and perspectives, encouraged by our system of shared governance. Whether one is a student, administrative assistant or faculty member, his or her voice is heard. As president, I am informed by students through Student Government, Career Service staff through the Career Service Council, and faculty and administrative professionals through the College Senate. Often, individuals or small groups meet with me. Everyone has the confidence to improve the college by honestly conveying their thoughts. I learn from everyone at Santa Fe College and in our community.
Listening and learning is an essential aspect of leadership. This part is a joy. I feel privileged to work in an environment that is about students and to learn from faculty and staff on how we can best serve students.
These professionals see the potential of our students from the moment they enter our campuses and encourage them with respect and enthusiasm. These qualities, which are so important to teaching, are also inherent in leadership. A few individuals are called to lead others. I see examples every day at Santa Fe College. These individuals, and others like them, are an inspiration. They work hard and do so well because there is nothing else they would rather be doing.
My greatest responsibility as a leader is to identify the best leaders and then to support them, even when a mistake is made.
It is an honor to serve in a community and in a college with exemplars of good leadership.