After eight months of leading through a global pandemic, I’ve decided to start sharing my leadership experience publicly - as both a tool for personal reflection and a tool for paying it forward (to allow others to learn from my experiences). Never in a million years did I think I would be blogging in 2020. Indeed, former colleagues from Western Wyoming Community College will find this particularly ironic, as just a few years ago I advised them against starting a department blog. I questioned who would read blogs - or posts that were longer than Tweets or Snaps. Hindsight, I suppose, is really twenty-twenty. So, here I go … Seeing as the first wave of COVID-19 hit Arizona last March, eight months after I assumed the position of Vice President for Learning and Student Services at Northland Pioneer College (NPC), I have spent exactly half of my tenure at NPC in a remote capacity - working from home via ZOOM. Being a first time VP in a new state, with young children and a husband who gave up his career for my career, in the midst of a global pandemic has absolutely, without a doubt, been isolating and challenging. It would be easy to be discouraged, disheartened, or disenchanted by all of the challenges I am facing right now. I, however, chose to focus on the opportunities I am facing rather than the obstacles. Focusing on the obstacles would be too exhausting, and a waste of an opportunity to learn and grow. So, instead of focusing on the fact that I can’t be on campus getting to know and supporting faculty and staff in person, or the fact that I am facilitating education for a four year old and an eight year old while serving as a vice president, I’m opting to look at the opportunities I have to grow both as an administrator and a mother. I’m focusing on becoming a better version of myself for those I serve. Since the pandemic started, I have enrolled in online training/courses - like Michael Hyatt’s Leading through a Crisis and Leaderbooks (a leadership book club). I’ve committed to reading two to three leadership books per month, and staying current with higher education social media posts and podcasts. As a 21st century community college leader, I believe it is important for me to stay current with trends in both leadership and higher education. It is even more vital now, during this pandemic, as we are in uncharted territory. There’s a sense of urgency to stay future-focused and committed to change as society adapts to a new norm and plans for a post-pandemic society. With a goal of eventually writing a book on higher education leadership, I’m making a commitment to posting weekly on this blog. The posts will focus on my learning experiences, with the goal of helping other aspiring leaders. They will include tips and tricks, as well as insights on leading as a woman (and mother/wife) in the 21st century. #leadershipdevelopment #womeninleadership
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AuthorDr. Jess Clark is a trained historian and higher education leader passionate about leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance learning experiences. A lifelong learner and servant leader, she empowers educators in the digital age. Through her blog, she shares expertise on educational leadership, curriculum development, and integrating technology in higher education, inspiring administrators and educators. Dr. Clark's commitment to embracing emerging technologies like AI reflects her belief in technology's transformative power in shaping the future of education. Archives
April 2024
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