Full Professor Statement
(Statement of leadership, persistent investment, and commitment to SLCC Vision, Mission, and Values)
Statement of Leadership
I have been serving in leadership positions since my first semester at the College, when I was assigned as a Course Lead/Mentor for a number of courses in my department. My leadership activities at the College and in the community have included the following:
- College Leadership
- Department Chair for Departments of Education, Family and Human Studies, and Social Work; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2021-present
- Provide leadership of a division of 6-8 full-time faculty and 25 adjunct faculty across four academic departments (Education, Family and Human Studies, Learning Enhancement, and Social Work)
- Responsible for selection, retention, tenure, promotion, and work assignments of faculty and department personnel; preparation and administration of departmental budgets; administration of academic departments, including teaching, professional development, service, and advising; etc.
- Oversaw the budget and operations of the Eccles Lab School, an auxiliary enterprise to the College and partner with the Family and Human Studies academic department
- Department Coordinator, Family and Human Studies Department; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT
- Supported the Associate Dean, Dale Smith, in division/departmental tasks, such as assessment, curriculum development, etc.
- Faculty Chair, General Education Curriculum Committee; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2019-2020
- Chair, General Education Curriculum Committee, 2019-2020, which included, in part, co-chairing the General Education Pathways Design Team and serving on the USHE General Education Task Force, the SLCC Pathways Collaborative Work Team, and SLCC Faculty Senate Leadership
- Faculty Vice Chair, General Education Curriculum Committee; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017-2018
- Represent the Chair in all capacities, when necessary
- Course Lead, Family and Human Development Department; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2013-2024
- Made curriculum decisions and mentored faculty for all sections of Adolescent Development (FHS 1230), Lifespan Human Development (FHS 1500), Marriage and Family Relations (FHS 2400), Introduction to Human Sexuality (FHS 2450)
- Department Chair for Departments of Education, Family and Human Studies, and Social Work; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2021-present
- Community Leadership
- Secretary and Treasurer; Utah Council on Family Relations; Salt Lake City, UT, 2023-present
- Keep records and manage budget for a state-wide organization of researchers, educators, practitioners, and students whose work focuses on marriage and family issues
- Help plan and host the annual research conference at Salt Lake community College
- Director; Salt Lake County Healthy Marriage Initiative, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017-2021
- Acquired a 4-year, $108,000 grant from the Utah Dept. of Human Services
- Directed a partnership between Salt Lake Community College and the Utah Marriage Commission (within the Utah Dept. of Human Services)
- Hosted multiple series of 10-hour marriage/couple workshops using the research-based PREP curriculum
- President, Utah Council on Family Relations; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017-2018
- Lead a state-wide organization of researchers, educators, practitioners, and students whose work focuses on marriage and family issues
- Plan and host the annual research conference at Salt Lake community College
- Committee Chair, USHE Family and Human Development Majors Committee, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017-2022, 2024
- Lead the state-level committee meeting to coordinate undergraduate Family and Human Development programs across the state.
- Secretary and Treasurer; Utah Council on Family Relations; Salt Lake City, UT, 2023-present
In each of those capacities, whether at the College or in the community, I strive to reflect the standards in The Way We Lead:
- Practice #1: Stand for Something Real -- I provide a clear "why" behind what we do. In department meetings, I connect what we do to College initiatives and the Mission, Vision, and Values of the College. I seek to connect with others, whether students, faculty, or other colleagues, in a way that recognizes they are "people first" by emphasizing work-life balance, being flexible as needed, etc.
- Practice #2: Make it Meaningful -- I regularly seek input from colleagues. In department meetings, I solicit comments about standards that we should adopt as a department, such as expectations about timely grading. I model the values of the College and encourage colleagues to do the same.
- Practice #3: Act Justly and Inclusively -- I seek to make every colleague feel included and treat everyone with respect. I value the contributions brought by our diverse team and have engaged in professional development activities to address and improve issues surrounding equity, antiracism, etc.
- Practice #4: Build on People’s Strengths and Interests -- I actively make space for faculty interests, encouraging them in their activities and professional development.
- Practice #5: Practice Radically Compassionate Honesty -- I am gaining experience in navigating difficult conversations. I have addressed complaints and personnel issues with our employees, consulting closely with Marianne McKnight (as the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs) and Percrecia Eubanks (in Human Resources)
- Practice #6 Simplify the Rules -- I seek to be transparent about structures/processes and push for adjustments as necessary. For example, I work with new faculty to help train them in the standards/expectations of the College and support them in their efforts to achieve those standards.
Persistent Investment
Throughout my time at the College, I have displayed constant investment. I have always been a strong member of my department team and community groups, working hard on assignments and volunteering when others were unavailable. My investment is reflected in my willingness to put in long hours when necessary, whether it's an evening, weekend, or holiday. While I strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance, I have had times when I needed to work through the night or when I have left my house before my children were awake and got home after they were in bed. Thankfully, those times are the exception, rather than the rule, but that willingness reflects my investment to the College, and my commitment to do what it takes to get a job done.
Commitment to SLCC Vision, Mission, and Values
- Vision: Teaching feels as much like a "calling" to me as it does a job. I model inclusivity in my classroom and believe in the transformative power of education. As reflected in my Teaching Philosophy, this resonates with my students and changes lives.
- Mission: My lens is always focused on student success, looking for how to improve my courses and provide support that will help students reach their potential. In the feedback that I provide students, in the time I spend in 1-on-1 meetings with students, and in every interaction I have with them, I seek to provide support for their growth.
- Values: I actively seek to achieve each of the College's values:
- Collaboration: I am known for being a team player and for working well with colleagues. I have mentored others on how to improve collegiality and employ a collaborative approach.
- Community: My community leadership, described above, enriches my students' experience as I bring aspects of those activities into the classroom.
- Inclusivity: As discussed above, I practice respect and empathy in everything I do. I am currently studying Spanish each day in order to enrich my ability to support students as we continue to move toward becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution.
- Learning: As reflected elsewhere in my portfolio, I work hard to provide powerful learning experiences for my students.
- Innovation: I have worked on projects to reform/adjust practices in my courses and at the College, including participating in General Education reform, redesigning department policies/practices, etc.
- Integrity: Integrity is central to who I am. I reflect regularly on trying to do the right thing for the right reasons, and I always strive to prioritize the people with whom I work.
- Trust: I act in good faith (owning my mistakes when I make them) and believe that others do the same. Acting with goodwill is central to who I am and to my work.