In spring 2011, I was honored to be asked to serve as a Virginia delegate for Vision 2020. As an advocate for women’s rights, I felt this organization and its vision were a great fit for me. The Vision 2020 Congress in Chicago in October 2011 got me fired up and ready to make positive changes for women, men and children throughout our country – and beyond.
I am fortunate to be a woman – but not just any woman, an African-American woman. And I am not just any African-American woman – I am a community college administrator. Therefore, through my affiliation with Vision 2020, I am able to combine three aspects that are near and dear to my heart – my womanhood, my heritage and community colleges.
Vision 2020 is made up of at least one delegate from all 50 states. Most states have two delegates. A few states have three. Each of the delegates is charged with developing and implementing an action plan in support of Vision 2020 goals and evaluating the effectiveness of that plan.
Through my plan, called “Enriching Education: Sisters for Community College Leadership,” I intend to increase the number of African-American female community college presidents in the United States. This project supports the Vision 2020 goal to “increase the number of women in senior leadership positions in American life to reflect the workforce talent pool and demographics.”
According to the American Association of Community Colleges, there are 1,167 community colleges in the United States, with only 60 of them having African-American females as presidents. With community college students comprising 44 percent of the total U.S. undergraduate population and 44 percent of African-American college students attending community colleges, strong and diverse leadership in community college education is more important than ever.
I envision that current and former African-American female community college presidents will take prospective African-American female community college presidents under their wings and teach them how to become presidents and then mentor them throughout their presidencies.
The project will include:
- A listserv for current and prospective African-American female community college presidents to share information
- Webinars hosted by current African-American female community college presidents for prospective presidents
- Workshops hosted by current African-American female community college presidents for prospective presidents at the annual American Association of Community College conventions
- Leadership studies involving current and prospective African-American female community college presidents
For more information, please visit About Enriching Education: Sisters for Community College Leadership. Also, please share this information with current, former and prospective African-American female community college presidents. Finally, to see how you might assist with this plan, please contact me at [email protected].
Equality is indeed in sight! I can taste it, see it and feel it! Are you on board?
Leave a Reply