Some of Our Responses for

Wanting to Participate in CLARA

North Texas Community College Consortium

I would like to participate so that I can learn to be a better leader in my

department and to deepen my knowledge of leadership. I think this will broaden
my horizons. I look forward to meeting other people from other colleges. I also
think this will make me a better instructor. (Melody Bell)
I would like to participate in the CLARA program because it would provide me
with the opportunity to grow professionally. I am very interested in learning more
about leadership, budgeting, and managing staff members. In addition, I would
like to be a part of the TCC leadership team as an active proponent to our
community, utilizing the knowledge, resources and management skills this
program will provide. (Sandra Bermejo)
I would like to participate in this years leadership program for the following
reasons: To better understand todays executive leadership expectations; Build a
more expanded level of leadership style that creates trust, sets a clear vision and
guides teams towards greater performance; Gain insights on key leadership skills
and techniques; Learn coaching and leadership techniques as well as mentoring
for successful employees; Develop a heightened emotional intelligence for
greater personal achievement and satisfaction; Improve performance through
empowerment and effective delegation; Explore the strategic elements of
leadership. This opportunity would allow me to enhance my skills and network
with other area leaders in education. (Cynthia Brown)
Fully committed to the mission of TCCD, I wish to return-in-kind the educational
leadership once availed me. As a career Naval Officer, I was privileged to garner
leadership skills and proficiencies that are finding direct application in facilitating
quality teaching and learning. I am particularly interested in enhancing student
success for Veterans and students in need of developmental education. CLARA
will provide me with an opportunity to engage in an exchange of best practices
and ideas with administrators and faculty from other community colleges in the
region. CLARA will also enable me to expand and strengthen my professional
network. (Jack Dalrymple)
Ive worked in higher education for six years as Coordinator of a federal funded
grant, but recently transitioned to administration as Director of one of NCTCs five
campuses. While participating in CLARA I would have the opportunity to develop
leadership and management skills more suited for administration advancement. I
enjoy working in higher education and look forward to meeting others in
administration that have the same passion and desire to make our institutions
better for students and staff. (Jessica DeRoche)
My current role includes working for, and developing/reorganizing, operational
systems both inside and outside the criminal justice system. I provide
coordination, developmental support, and instructional support in the daily
operations of a Criminal Justice Training Center and Basic Police Officer
Academies. My teaching role requires me to coordinate educational activities
following both TCLEOSE mandated learning objectives and other topic specific
objectives.

I am responsible for coordinating, scheduling, and supervising a pool of

approximately 80 adjuncts used to teach topic specific areas associated with the
learning objectives. I am also the first line supervisor for as many as 70 police
cadets enrolled in the Basic Peace Officer Academy.
I believe my participation in CLARA would greatly benefit the Criminal Justice
Training Center and be a tremendous asset to the District and the customers it
serves. (Scott Donaldson)
I see CLARA as an opportunity to collaborate and learn from other community
college leaders. I also see it as an opportunity to enhance my knowledge and
leadership skills. The value of meeting with others in similar positions at local
community colleges will help me be a better problem solver and leader. I look
forward to share those acquired skills and valuable lessons to benefit Paris
Junior College and the communities in which it serves. (Scott Edwards)
Participation in CLARA would provide for me professional development
necessary for my position at Paris Junior College. Further, building relationships
and growing networks are a vital part of being successful as an administrator,
and building on such strengths as provided by CLARA will pay dividends
throughout my career. I would sincerely appreciate an opportunity to participate
this year. (Andrew Fisher)
As a College Administrator, I am intrigued with the collaborations and
partnerships that are vital to the success of students in higher education. Most
especially, I enjoy servicing students and leading others to do so with
professionalism and quality. I am altruistic and I care.
Additionally, I endeavor to remain on the cutting edge of service. I seek to be
innovative as well; always willing think outside of the box. I want to learn more
so that I can be a vital team member at my college location and across the
DCCCD. (Monty Francis)
I would like consideration as a participant in the Consortium Leadership and
Renewal Academy (CLARA) for 2011-2012 as I am interested in a leadership
position in higher education. It is my understanding that CLARA can assist me in
reaching my career goals by providing leadership and management training,
network opportunities, and other such skills. I am currently in an entry level
administrative position and would definitely benefit from such an innovative
program.
Another reason that I would like to participate is that I am interested in applying
for a Doctoral degree program at the University of North Texas and may be able
to receive graduate credit. My initial career goal was to become an administrator
for a Texas public school district and I am currently a certified Principal and
Superintendent for EC-12. After working here at Tarrant County College for over
a year I have decided that a career in higher education, specifically community
colleges would be purposeful and rewarding. (Gloria Garcia)
As a new academic administrator transitioning from full-time teaching, I have a
considerable amount to learn about how to serve effectively in my new role. Id
like to participate in CLARA in hopes of developing as an efficient manager while
sharpening my leadership skills in terms of innovation and creativity. Specifically,
I want to balance my responsibility for completing daily managerial tasks with my
personal desire to lead faculty and staff towards accomplishing our institutional
mission and goals. Im also interested in knowing how the work of my institution
fits into the mission of community colleges in general, particularly how TCCD can
be a leader in innovative strategies that lead to student success. Finally,

participating in CLARA would allow me the opportunity to learn from leaders at

other institutions and integrate their ideas with my current work in hopes of
making TCCD a more dynamic institution. (Altheria Gaston)
I am very excited to have the opportunity to participate in CLARA. Among my
many reasons to want to participate in CLARA, my primary goals are:
To develop a broader and renewed vision of myself as a leader in every aspect
of my service at Richland: teaching and advising students, training and couching
new academic advisors, and as a member of the Richland Dream Success
Team.
To expand my professional network while learning leadership skills with and from
my fellow 2011-2012 CLARA team members. (Victoria Luna Glass)
Its an opportunity to broaden and deepen my understanding of leadership in a
community college setting, in the academic arena. It also will expose me to the
current state of other colleges in the Consortium. (Jon Groth)
I am Delphine Hampton and I am an Assistant Director in Business Operations.
I would like to participate in the CLARA Program because I will learn to become a
more valued member of the MVC team. I will learn skills to help me become
more effective in my current job. This program will enhance my ability to
overcome organizational challenges, equip me with the techniques needed to
build the right team, help me to embrace change, and help me to achieve higher
levels of performance. I will learn techniques to help me give my team members
more confidence and learn practices that will make my team respect and willing
to follow me. Also, I will be able to enhance my chances for personal growth that
come with effective leadership and I will be prepared to explore careers in
administration.
This program will be beneficial to me and MVC because I will be able to enhance
my leadership skills that will help me renew my commitment to higher education
in the community college. I will develop the strategic skills needed to help me
contribute greater value to MVC. I will be prepared to encourage teamwork at all
levels and I will learn skills needed so that I will be able to determine when its
time for a new direction. I will have the opportunity to learn the essential
leadership and managerial techniques needed to become a valued and
appreciated leader. The CLARA Program will prepare me with the knowledge
and skills needed to take advantage of opportunities to lead as they come.
(Delphine Hampton)
I am a police Captain (Assistant Director) at Eastfield Community College
(DCCCD) and the majority of my activities involve leadership; either by leading
the department police supervisors, the police staff, and administrative staff as
well as leading the community, students and staff, in activities related to safety,
security and defense. The opportunity in participating in the CLARA program will
polish and improve my existing management skills and leadership abilities,
increase my knowledge, strengthen my network and expand my horizons. I aim
to become an efficient and effective leader to benefit, mentor, and empower
those in my community. (Michael Horak)
Cedar Valley College is recommending me for participating in CLARA. I have
recently been appointed as Interim Registrar for 2011-2012 after completing
succession planning for this position. The resume that was used to apply for this
position is attached. President Wimbish and Vice President of Student Services
Anna Mays requested that I participate in CLARA to further develop my

leadership skills and I am delighted that I will have this opportunity for
professional growth. (Lucia Johnson)
I would like to participate in the CLARA program in order to enhance my
understanding and growth as a college dean. I would like to learn the
expectations and responsibilities of various college leadership positions. I would
like to learn about how different institutions do things. I would like to gain a
broader perspective on how community colleges operate and what best practices
there are in higher education. I believe it would also be beneficial to me
personally and to Collin to develop a network of colleagues and contacts that
could provide support and share knowledge as we work together in our common
tasks. In sum, I believe participating in CLARA will be a great opportunity for
personal growth and professional development. (Michael McConachie)
AS a UNT alumnus, UNT doctoral student, and proud member of the TCC Trinity
River Campus faculty, I am always interested in opportunities to expand my
knowledge in the important areas of higher education. Teaching students within
the classroom environment is my passion; however, I also understand that there
is an administrative infrastructure that helps make the teaching process possible.
My understanding of such administrative matters is limited. I see CLARA as a
opportunity to help expand my knowledge in this regard. As a young college
professor, I relish the opportunity to network with colleagues. My goal is to use
this network to help benefit the students I advise in our local Phi Theta Kappa
international honor society. I therefore consider participation in CLARA to be a
great honor and opportunity! (Tyson McMillan)
I really think this would be a great opportunity to learn more and grow in my
ability to serve the college in a broader and more substantial way by enhancing
my knowledge base and teaching me how to develop and utilize more effective
leadership skills.
Also, I am looking forward to building a network of other community college
resources beyond the sometimes limited networking available through field or
interest-specific conferences or meetings. (Claudia Miracle)
I am applying for CLARA to further develop my leadership and administrative
skills. Collin College is a leading innovator with many of our programs and it is
my intention to continue that tradition of excellence with the new opportunities
presented within the Consortium Leadership and Renewal Academy. I am
looking forward to learning more about current/changing issues in higher
education and developing contacts with my colleagues at other institutions.
Through CLARA I hope to gain knowledge that I can bring back to Collin to
improve our district and aid in student success. (Shannon Mott)
I want to develop my leadership skills and create positive change in the future of
leadership roles. In addition, I believe being a part of CLARA will support my
development and growth to strengthen my future potential at all stages of my
career.
I also hope to learn from experiences of other institutions and engage in
collaborative research with other participants. (Brenda Murrell)
As the new Vice President of Student Services and a new resident to Texas, it is
critical that I gain a better understanding of the northern Texas educational
institutions, and its culture. If I have the opportunity to be selected to this years
CLARA class, I hope to participate in the strong network of current and past
CLARA classmates. Having a CLARA peer group would allow me to discuss and
seek out opinions of policies that affect our students and the college as a whole.

In addition, as a current college and community leader, it is critical that

administrators continue to learn and improve their leadership skills. It is my hope
that I can also contribute to the class by sharing some of my experiences from
other colleges and states. Overall, CLARA would be a welcomed addition to my
current professional and personal development as it relates to leadership and
issues in higher education. (Marc Payne)
While I have sought multiple leadership roles on my campus in the past 4
semesters, including chairing committees and planning and implementing a
community Creative Writing Conference, I have never taken a formal leadership
course. Realizing my desire to seek new leadership opportunities, Dr. Christine
Hubbard has recommended this program to me.
I am particularly interested in the opportunity to make connections and work on
projects with people from other campuses and disciplines. In fact, this is one of
the things I have enjoyed the most about the professional conferences I have
attended.
CLARA also offers excellent preparation for administrative roles, like chairing a
department, so the experience could certainly give me a skill set that I could
apply in a future leadership role on my campus. (Wendi Pierce)
As an employee of Tarrant County College, I often get called upon to serve in
different roles. I have co-chaired committees, organized conferences, sponsored
student groups, etc. While I feel that my MBA as well as work experience allows
me to lead effectively, I am always eager to strengthen my leadership skills.
I look forward to working with colleagues from other institutions. We can share
best practices with each other and bring those ideas back to our institution.
My goals are to advance at Tarrant County College into administrative roles, and
I believe CLARA will prepare me to assume those duties when called upon.
(Pete Portillo)
Over the past two years, I have been active in learning many skills of being an
effective administrator. Recently, I participated in our Districts Instructional
Career Institute. This program gave an excellent overview of our District
procedures and facilitated intercampus interactions but did not encompass a
larger perspective. I have talked with many individuals familiar with or that have
participated in the CLARA program. All individuals spoke very highly and
strongly of the program and suggested taking advantage of the opportunity if it
were to arise as the program addresses larger scale dynamics and strategies.
This year when I received my nomination, I was quite excited as I know that this
experience will provide me with a new set of skills to further hone my abilities as
an effective administrator. I look forward to participating in the program this year.
(Bryan Reece)
I wanted to enhance my leadership skills. The president nominated me for this
role. I would like to become more familiar with the Technical College procedures,
I am looking forward to more leadership roles. (Jason Robertson)
CLARA is an excellent opportunity for professional growth. I am very excited to
enhance my leadership skills and to learn from some of the leading innovators in
academia. I am extremely committed to academic excellence and know this
opportunity will exacerbate my already high level of passion and commitment to
student success at the administrative level. Thank you for your consideration.
(Karl Desix Robinson)
I am interested in the professional development opportunity afforded me through
this Academy. I am currently a mid-level administrator with aspirations of

someday serving as a Vice President and President of a college. I have a

doctorate in Leadership in Higher Education and would like to further explore
leadership in a more hands on learning environment. In addition to my own
personal growth and development, I would like to become a better leader for my
college. I believe that by participating in CLARA, I will be able to bring back to
my campus the skills and knowledge I gain and use it for improvement at
Grayson County College. (Debbie Smarr)
It is my desire to participate in the CLARA academy to develop cohesive skills in
leadership and organizational management. I feel advanced training will help
broaden my scope of community college administration. Participation in
professional development such as this is essential for continued growth and
advancement in my career. I am honored to become involved in such a great
organization. (Jeneen Smith Sims)
After working with the Dallas County Community College District for the past nine
years in a number of roles to help students reach their academic goals, I am
certain that I desire to continue my career path in the field of education. I have
been blessed to have a number of leadership opportunities come my way, and I
am always eager to learn new perspectives, skills and strategies that can assist
me in becoming a better leader.
I hope that by participating in CLARA I will foster new relationships with
colleagues who share a passion for education and who come with a variety of
experiences and expertise that can be drawn upon to ultimately better serve
students here at El Centro College. Additionally, I believe that I too have a duty
to share my own knowledge with others, so that it may be used to increase
student success beyond my own community. I look forward to listening, sharing
and learning with fellow emerging educational leaders. (Karen Stills)
The first reason I want to participate in CLARA is to learn the leadership and
networking skills with peers from around Texas. The second reason I have to
participate is the college credit for my UNT Ph.D. program. (William Stowe)
I have been employed with the Dallas County Community College District for
eleven years and as a supervisor of two full-time and two part-time employees for
the past three years. I also supervise approximately 25 part-time instructors.
From day one, I have desired to improve my leadership and managerial skills,
recognizing that there are many management styles and approaches to goalsetting and problem solving, with achieving desired outcomes being the measure
of success. I desire to gain and apply this knowledge as part of preparing myself
for career advancement opportunities. CLARA is an opportunity to network with
colleagues in professional settings and, as a college representative, to share my
knowledge and skills with them and to return with additional strategies for
success at my home campus, Brookhaven College. (Rick Tuman)
I am interested in participating in CLARA because it will afford me the opportunity
to improve my leadership and management abilities, upgrade my skills, broaden
my perspectives, and network with others who are members of the North Texas
Community College Consortium. (Damien Williams)
CLARA has a wonderful reputation. I wish to participate in CLARA because I
believe it will present me with an opportunity to grow as a person, enhance my
ability to take on a leadership role, and increase my knowledge. It will also give
me an exceptional chance to connect with colleagues and expand my
understanding of the community college culture. Although I am already
committed to Tarrant County College and its students, CLARA will solidify this

commitment and help me to reach a new potential. I look forward to this great
opportunity if selected. (Tracy Williams)
Hello, my name is Denise Zackery and I am the Executive Dean, Financial Affairs
at the LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunication. I am interested in
participating in CLARA to further improve my leadership and management
abilities. I believe that CLARA will provide me with a unique opportunity to learn
from national facilitators and peers from throughout the region. My current job
requires me to be knowledgeable of every aspect of the institutions environment.
Participation in CLARA will provide me with an opportunity to better understand
challenges within the community college at various administrative levels. In
addition to enriching my knowledge of the leadership role in a community college
I will have an opportunity to share my experiences and learn from others
participating in the program.
I have heard fantastic reviews about CLARA. I believe my participation in this
program will further advance my leadership potential; resulting in a direct benefit
to my institution. Relationship established through this program will allow for
future exchange of information with peer attendees. (Denise Zackery)