First Day as President of Urban College of Boston
First, let me say that I did not think that I would become a president so soon again. I thought maybe when the kids go to college, I might consider it. I opted to throw my hat in the ring at the last minute, leaving my role as Chair of the Board of Trustees to become a candidate for the position at the helm. Ultimately, I was the chosen finalist. Keep an eye out for a short publication on that 😉.
My day started early with sending greetings to all of our major constituent groups: students, faculty, staff, trustees, and others. Those emails I sent from home before heading to the College where a few staff members were already settled. As a hybrid college, our staff are not required to come into the office every day, but our building security folks are there all the time. So, I chatted for a few minutes with those who were there and got to know them and their aspirations a little better. Then, then my meetings got underway, some were more strategic and others more tactical.
Generally, as I did at my other presidencies, I would have time carved out with students or I would walk the campus, meeting and greeting faculty and staff. In a remote/hybrid environment, that becomes difficult. So, instead, I planned for hybrid visits with folks with my administrative assistant. People are at the core of all we do. Students are our raison deter, and without the faculty and staff that educate and support them, there is no college. From the security people to the janitor, to the work-study students that complete tasks at reasonable pay rates, to the deans, presidents, and board of trustees, people are what make higher education work or not work for students. Even with the increasing use of technology, people are what make technology work.
My first day ended with much reflection on what I learned. The Urban College of Boston has much potential. Southern New Hampshire University affiliated with the College because it saw an opportunity to help a small, struggling college continue to deliver on its mission for a primarily immigrant population. The mission alignment that SNHU sensed during the due diligence process to affiliate, not acquire, UCB felt palpable for me on Day 1. So, here’s to a new adventure! I hope you will come along with me as I chronicle my new journey.
