“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

~ Seneca

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served and are serving our country! To you and your families, I say thank you! Your selfless sacrifice and dedication sets an example that we appreciate and honor. Thank you!

The quote above is one of my favorite quotes of all time. I love it because it says to me that I can always get lucky! Even with the seeming unpredictability of "luck;" if I just stay prepared and attentive to opportunities when they present themselves, I can have it. I lead with this same thing in mind. I often share articles with our administrators and managers, or ask probing questions about our readiness for emerging trends in higher education. I do this to always keep us thinking about how to prepare for what's next. When an opportunity presents itself (e.g., a new employer to the area, an emerging technology, increases in enrollment, a new grant or donor), it is too late to get ready. We cannot always anticipate what is next, but as the old saying goes, "if you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready!"

Part of us being prepared is thinking about the future, our mission, and our wants and desires as an institution. The last few months I have been so proud to be a Pioneer, as I watched a team of dedicated faculty, staff, administrators, managers, and students come together the plan for our future. Our Strategic Planning Team worked for hours on end synthesizing data, discussing our strengths and opportunities, talking about the possibilities ahead of us, and eating bear claws. We are on the razors edge of realizing our wildest dreams as an institution. We have the people, we have the will, and in the spring we will have our plan.

The 2023 strategic planning process is still ongoing, and will be complete soon, which will mark a new beginning for PSC. I hope this excites you as much as it excites me. We have new students joining us each term. We have more students joining us each term (enrollment continues to trend up). We have new and growing industries coming to our district. We have campus renovations and improvements happening all around us. Most importantly, we have a workforce that has proven its resilience in the face of enormous odds. We have come out on the other side of our greatest challenges stronger, and more determined to change the world through the lives we touch. The only thing left to do now, is get lucky!

#WeArePSC