Institutional Strategic Planning Committee (ISP)
Last week, I received a very surprising invitation to participate on a committee at Lackawanna College. Per the name of this post, I was asked to join a group of individuals at the college to look at long-term plans for the school... and innovative ways to help us reach those goals.
Our school's mission is to be the #1 open-admission, two-year institution of choice in America.
We can absolutely reach that goal. I have no doubt, honestly. From what I've seen, heard, and experienced in just one year there, I'm thrilled to be a part of this journey and help us attain our mission!
But, let's go back to my initial confusion and shock at the invitation to participate. How could I, a simple instructor of less than one year, be seen as an "emerging leader"? That's the other name for this committee, by the way - Emerging Leaders. Anyway, what skills and knowledge do I bring to the table that caught the attention of someone, anyone, to recommend me for this highly-sought-after group of colleagues?
When Dr. Murray read the list of characteristics they want in a committee member, my heart flew over the moon! Those are all things that you see in me?!?! I thought this, almost out loud at the first meeting. I was honored. Humbled. Touched. Thrilled. Excited. Motivated. I MUST show these people that I can live up to these expectations.
The ISP is a group of various employees who have worked at Lackawanna for any length of time (2 months was the "greenest" of us, and 38 years was the winner for longevity). We are paired with a professional consultant to help us hone skills as leaders in the institution. And mainly, when we meet as a committee, our charge is to create and innovate solutions to help our students and the institution become better. Awesome!
We have reading assignments. We have coaching sessions. We have lunch! We have meetings to share ideas and brainstorm solutions. We have support. We have enthusiasm. We have camaraderie.
I am truly grateful to be viewed in such a luminous light so early in my tenure there. I am so in love with my job and with my employer, having the opportunity for my ideas and my concerns to be heard in this way means so much. I can't wait to see where we go, and how soon we accomplish our mission.
Our school's mission is to be the #1 open-admission, two-year institution of choice in America.
We can absolutely reach that goal. I have no doubt, honestly. From what I've seen, heard, and experienced in just one year there, I'm thrilled to be a part of this journey and help us attain our mission!
But, let's go back to my initial confusion and shock at the invitation to participate. How could I, a simple instructor of less than one year, be seen as an "emerging leader"? That's the other name for this committee, by the way - Emerging Leaders. Anyway, what skills and knowledge do I bring to the table that caught the attention of someone, anyone, to recommend me for this highly-sought-after group of colleagues?
When Dr. Murray read the list of characteristics they want in a committee member, my heart flew over the moon! Those are all things that you see in me?!?! I thought this, almost out loud at the first meeting. I was honored. Humbled. Touched. Thrilled. Excited. Motivated. I MUST show these people that I can live up to these expectations.
The ISP is a group of various employees who have worked at Lackawanna for any length of time (2 months was the "greenest" of us, and 38 years was the winner for longevity). We are paired with a professional consultant to help us hone skills as leaders in the institution. And mainly, when we meet as a committee, our charge is to create and innovate solutions to help our students and the institution become better. Awesome!
We have reading assignments. We have coaching sessions. We have lunch! We have meetings to share ideas and brainstorm solutions. We have support. We have enthusiasm. We have camaraderie.
I am truly grateful to be viewed in such a luminous light so early in my tenure there. I am so in love with my job and with my employer, having the opportunity for my ideas and my concerns to be heard in this way means so much. I can't wait to see where we go, and how soon we accomplish our mission.
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