Some students shuffle across the stage in unlaced sneakers, some totter in high heels. Some stride across with high fives. But my favorites are the ones who carry their children. They remind me most of all why I do what I do. I work in community colleges because I can help change lives.

My first community college boss told me that the purpose of education was to learn what it is to be human. Since then, my life has been a never-ending learning experience – with students from all over the world, faculty in a constantly evolving array of programs, and community and business leaders as my teachers. They have made me conscience of differences that can’t always be observed. They have challenged my assumptions about learning. They have made me acutely aware of the consequences of my actions, especially when those actions seem to be about numbers on a page.

My journey in community colleges has taken me from paraprofessional assistant to president, and now to running leadership programs for others to follow in my path. I have had many trials along the way, but they are dwarfed by the joy of making a difference.