“People
who are truly strong lift others up, people who are truly powerful bring people
together”
Michelle Obama
This
quote encapsulates the strength and determination that Dr. Jacqueline Austin
has demonstrated throughout her professional career and also reinforces one of
her key attributes whenever entrusted with a position of leadership. Her
commitment to bringing people together and lifting others up coupled with the
creation of an environment that is purposeful in its pursuit of excellence, has
been integral to her ability, to achieve maximum results while inspiring the
team that she leads to maximize their full potential.
A
person of integrity, transformational, determined and a passionate advocate for
student development are just a few of the words and phrases used to describe
both her character and her accomplishments by peers and students alike. Dr.
Austin has always been at the forefront of pioneering change and has been
instrumental in developing key initiatives throughout her career that continue
to redound to the benefit of students she served or who sought her counsel at
the Barbados Community College. Her progression to the helm of Industry
Services Unit enabled her to leverage her expertise and skills to bring key
partners and stakeholders together to develop programs and strategic
partnerships that equipped participants with the requisite skills and knowledge
to effectively meet the needs of the ever changing job market.
Dr.
Austin exemplifies the belief that excellence is not an exception. It is a
prevailing attitude. She has demonstrated that the pursuit of one’s goals and
dreams can still be realized even in the midst of challenges if met with hard
work and a determined spirit. This drive and focus led to her selection as a
Fulbright Hubert Humphrey Fellow and subsequently a Presidential scholar at the
University of Manchester Business School where she pursued a doctoral degree in
Business and Management. Her outstanding contributions during her academic
career both through her research and global speaking engagements have
positioned her at the forefront of her peers as a thought leader in the area of
Technical Vocational Education and Training and Human Resource Development and
has enabled her to provide valuable consultation to educational institutions
and multinational corporations as well as regional and international
governments.
Dr. Austin has exhibited a level of focus and
determination that is unparalleled. Her pursuit of her academic and
professional career has taken her to numerous countries across continents but
she never lost sight of her commitment to family, faith or fulfilling her
purpose. This same commitment to making a meaningful difference remains at the
forefront of her new role as President of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.
She will undoubtedly bring the CFBC community together while lifting their
hearts and minds.
In this episode, Dr. Leslie
Cordie interviews Dr. Jacqueline J. Austin about leadership lessons learned. Dr. Austin
is the President of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts, West
Indies.
Listen to the Episode
