“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.
