I want to thank Foundation Executive Director, Judy Siggins, for yet one more stroke of genius- namely, providing a topic for this morning’s roundtable that gives Julie Peacock and me a lot of latitude regarding the focus of our comments.
So as we address “Innovation at BCC- Our Community’s Future”, each of us will come at it slightly differently. I would like to make a few observations about the College in general, referencing new directions currently underway, and partnerships ever-more important to the College’s future. And Julie, as this College’s outstanding academic leader, will detail some of the exciting and innovative learning experiences occurring in BCC’s classrooms and the community.
First, it probably should be acknowledged that Broome Community College has had more than its fair share of challenges in its recent past. One in particular, identifying new and effective long-term presidential leadership, has, as we all know, been a rough road. But from what I understand, the search process is moving forward smoothly and on schedule, with exceptional candidates in the mix. Like many of you, I look forward to meeting the finalists as they visit the campus in the new couple of weeks.
And when new leadership steps on board in the New Year, here is some of what I’m confident Broome’s new president is going to find. As Dan Hayes and I have found as Interims, BCC’s new president will find a truly exceptional faculty and staff, many widely recognized in their fields- professional educators who are making great education happen at Broome. And thanks to the support of the BCC Foundation and the generosity of individuals and organizations which have long recognized the superior return that investment in education yields, he or she will find a growing student body working with not only great teachers but state of the art technology. I’d love to be present, for example, when the President first sees education being made in the Decker Health Sciences Building and across the campus.
I’m also convinced BCC’s new leader is going to see a college that is actively striving to turn the page and is moving forward in some other important ways. The President will no doubt embrace the College community’s efforts to craft a more robust and transparent form of governance- a shared governance model built by Broome, and for Broome, with input and endorsement from the College Trustees, faculty and staff and students. First steps in this direction will be taken next week as the College welcomes guest presenters, to think with, and share with this college community, greater awareness of the principles of shared governance and what it is, and is not. This conversation will focus on how improved communication, trust and institutional effectiveness can be advanced by building processes and structures that enhance participation in the development of policies and institutional decision-making.
And the new President, I am confident will also bring with him or her a commitment to strengthen partnerships which will, in turn, enhance BCC’s ability to better address the mission of this State’s community colleges to help prepare a workforce for the 21st century. The first partnership on which new leadership may well focus, and perhaps the single most important external one that any NYS community college has, will be the partnership with the College’s local sponsor- Broome County. It is an extraordinarily important partnership, with defined roles both for the College’s governing Board and the Board of Legislators. It’s a partnership that to be its best requires an understanding of, and respect for, each other’s roles. Because in New York State, the relationship between the College and its sponsor is complex as well as important, to function most effectively for the students we serve, it needs to be continually nurtured through communication and information-sharing and by periodically revisiting provisions governing the partnership.
As we said on the farm, just as the cows don’t stay milked, but must be milked every day, partnerships of all stripes must be revisited on a regular basis. It’s true for that most important relationship with the local sponsor and also for a second partnership that is at least its equal- the partnership between the College and the College Foundation. To attain its optimum success, each party to this partnership must be committed to building a shared dream together. I am confident BCC’s new president will bring both an understanding of the value of this partnership and most importantly, a commitment to partnering with the Foundation to build a better BCC.
In sum, the new President of BCC can be expected to bring much and find much already in place. That fortunate individual will find a college the community loves, waiting only for new leadership and the attainment of new levels of success for this College.
Like many of you here this morning, I have found it to be an honor to have spent a brief time with the Broome family. Thank you for all you do for BCC.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Deans
