From the Desk of the President

As we come to the end of our fifth remote semester, I have been spending time reflecting on how we – together – over the past five months – worked to successfully:

• Educate our credit and non-credit students about the many certificate, diploma and degree options to choose from

• Create remote experiences that supported our students’ intellectual and social welfare

• Engage our students in robust and challenging learning experiences in and out of the classroom

• Prepare our students for lives of civic engagement, lifelong learning and social accountability

While these are only a few of the many successes we helped our students achieve, we also grew as a teaching and learning community guided by our values. As I briefly reflect on the ways our values have influenced me and our work during these unusual times, I share those reflections:

1. Excellence – Over the past year, we have dealt with a global pandemic, an economic recession, racial injustices, the reorganization of the College into a One-College model and a host of other traumatic individual and institutional issues. I have engaged with numerous representatives from all four of our constituency groups about what we experienced together. From these conversations, I have learned to stay present centered; bring people together; express your opinion even when it is not popular; be open to constructive criticism; compliment others for a job well done; and see life as an epic journey, where each day is considered a new adventure. “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” ~Booker T. Washington

2. Inclusivity – We have been engaged in thoughtful, challenging and rich conversations about the growing diversity of our students – the central reference to all our work – employees and the communities we serve and what that means for us as the community’s college today and tomorrow. By doing so, we are learning more about ourselves, our colleagues and others in our personal and professional networks – ultimately to become anti-racists. “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.” ~Audre Lorde

3. Innovation – For 57 years, innovation has been a part of the HACC culture. Since 1964, we have been responsive to the training and education needs of our school districts, employers and communities. Through our exploration and experimentation, we have been able to develop and offer life-changing programs that keep profit and non-profit organizations relevant in serving the ever-changing needs of our diverse communities. Through our innovation, we have not only prepared ourselves but our students – many of whom would have been left behind – for the future. “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” ~Ralph Marston

4. Integrity – This is not only a College value and priority but a personal one. I have participated in hundreds of Zoom meetings over the past year and saw the power of Stephen R. Covey’s discussion about integrity actualized. According to Mr. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build trust of those who are present. When you defend those who are absent, you retain the trust of those present.” For those among us who demonstrated this type of integrity, I saw our colleagues begin to trust each other and healthy working relationships began to grow and flourish for the benefit of the institution and those we are called to serve. “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” ~William Shakespeare

Adapted from William A. Ward’s poem, Do More.

I will do more than belong – I will participate.

I will do more than believe – I will practice.

I will do more than forgive – I will forget.

I will do more than teach – I will inspire.

I will do more than comment – I will help.

I will do more than dream – I will work.

I will do more than give – I will serve.