Leadership Lessons Learned

“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

 

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 14 Transcripts

Career and Tech Ed Advising

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Kemaly Parr about career and tech ed advising. Dr. Kemaly Parr is an Assistant Professor in the Murray State University College of Education and Human Services Department of Adolescent, Career, and Special Education. Dr. Parr also serves as the Director of Career and Technical Education at Murray State. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Adult Education from Auburn University and a Master's of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Tennessee. She has over 10 years of experience in higher education. She is a member of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the Kentucky Association for CTE (KACTE), and the Association for Career Tech Ed Research (ACTER). She is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA).

 

Dr. Parr was recognized as the Murray State University College of Education and Human Services Outstanding Collegiate Researcher Faculty Award in 2020 and she received the Murray State University College of Education and Human Services Outstanding Faculty Research and Creativity Award in 2019.

 

Listen to the Podcast

 

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 1 Transcripts

The Climate of Teaching and Learning in the U.S.

 

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Jason C. Bryant about the climate of teaching and learning in the United States. 

Dr. Jason C. Bryant is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Auburn University where he began in January 2016 and is currently serving as the director of Truman Pierce Institute within the College of Education at Auburn. Dr. Bryant has seventeen years of K-12 experience as a former science teacher, assistant principal, and principal at both the middle and high school level in Alabama. He is a past president and board member for the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration (SRCEA) and served on the executive board of the Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (AAPEL). His dissertation is titled “Student Perspectives of Supporting and Hindering Factors in School Integration and the Role of Racial Identity in the Process” which he received from in Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education from Auburn University.

Listen to the Podcast

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 12 Transcripts

Online Restoration Ecology Certificate

 

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Becky Barlow and Dr. John Kush about School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.  

As an Alabama Cooperative Extension System Forestry Specialist and Professor within the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University, Dr. Becky Barlow strives to inspire forest landowners to manage their property to meet multiple objectives.  Forestland management basics are a focus of her outreach work.  She also works in the area of agroforestry research and extension to provide landowners with options for generating additional revenue from their lands.  In addition, she teaches several upper level forestry courses in Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

 

Dr. John S. Kush is a research fellow (recently retired) in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University.  His Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Science came from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.  He received his Master’s and PhD, both in Forest Ecology from Auburn.  He conducted research for over 39 years with a focus on stand dynamics, fire effects, and restoration and taught several classes related to forest ecology. He has authored/co-authored book chapters and numerous publications. He is a certified senior ecologist and was inducted into the Alabama Foresters Hall of Fame in 2017.  Though retired, he teaches a forest fire management class and several classes with the restoration ecology graduate certificate program at Auburn.

 

Listen to the Podcast

 

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 11 Transcripts

Workloads for Faculty: Online and F2F

 

Dr. Simone C. O. Conceição

Dr. Simone C. O. Conceição, Ph.D. is Professor Emerita in the Department of Administrative Leadership at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and owner of SCOC Consulting. She received her doctorate in Adult and Distance Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master's in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She teaches courses in the areas of distance education, use of technology with adult learners, instructional design, and adult learning.  Her research interests include distance education, adult learning, impact of technology on teaching and learning, instructional design, and staff development and training.

 

Dr. Conceição is the editor of Teaching Strategies in the Online Environment (2007). Most recently, she coauthored the books Creating a Sense of Presence in Online Teaching: How to “Be There” for Distance Learners (2010). Managing Online Instructor Workload: Strategies for Finding Balance and Success (2011) and Motivating and Retaining Online Students: Research-Based Strategies that Work (2014). She was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

Listen to Podcast

 

 Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 10 Transcript

How a Pandemic can Change the Shape of Education

 

Nuala McGuinn

Nuala McGuinn is Director of the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway. Nuala has over 25 years’ experience working in adult learning and development within the Institute of Technology and University sector where she has led many inter-disciplinary teams and manages large-scale projects and budgets. Within her current role at NUI Galway she has responsibility for the development and expansion of the University’s range of part-time programmes with particular emphasis on flexible models of course delivery, the development and implementation of blended and online learning programmes, partnership with industry to identify and meet the training needs of the region and the support of adult learners in their professional development journey.  Nuala is a member of the West Regional Skills Forum Steering Group and is a board member of the Higher Education in Ireland Lifelong Learning Network (HELLIN).

 

Listen to the Podcast

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 9 Transcript

The value of communication, creating community, and being gracious to students and faculty

 

Dr. Ryan J. Petty

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Ryan J. Petty about the value of communication, creating community, and being gracious to students and faculty. Dr. Petty is the Dean of the Heller College of Business (HCB) at Roosevelt University, as well as a tenured Associate Professor of Human Resource Management.

Ryan J. Petty is the Dean of the Heller College of Business (HCB) at Roosevelt University, as well as tenured Associate Professor of Human Resource Management.  Ryan joined the faculty at Roosevelt in 2010, after earning his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Human Resources and Labor Relations. As faculty at Roosevelt, he has taught graduate- and undergraduate-level courses in both Human Resources and Management. Ryan has also served in multiple administrative roles during his time on the faculty in the HCB, including serving as the Program Director for the MSHRM program, Associate Dean, and interim Dean. Ryan’s scholarly research focuses on work-life balance, the use of social media in Human Resources, and management instructional techniques, and has been published in various peer-reviewed journals and edited books, and presented at major academic conferences. He also serves as a reviewer for the academic journal Personnel Review, and regularly reviews for the Academy of Management annual meeting.

Listen to the Podcast

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 8 Transcript

“You want me to do what?” Teaching online and maintaining work/life balance

Dr. Sarah Bond

 In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Sarah Bond about teaching online and maintaining work/life balance. Dr. Bond is an instructional designer and online instructor at Oakland City University School of Business.

Dr. Sarah Bond roots began in Agriculture. Born and raised in east central Illinois, Iroquois County, she was actively involved in 4-H for 12 years and the FFA for 6 years. Dr. Bond attributes a great deal of her educational and leadership success to the opportunities in agriculture and these organizations. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Economics, Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Mechanization and her PhD in Workforce Education and Development, specializing in Education, Training, and Development, all from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

Dr. Bond’s work experience has included the Enrollment Management Coordinator for the College of Agricultural Sciences at SIUC, Rend Lake College as the Applied Science and Technology Division Chair and Southeastern Illinois College as the Executive Dean of Student Affairs. Currently she is an instructional designer and online instructor at Oakland City University School of Business. An Assistant Professor of Practice at Southern Illinois University Carbondale teaching online for the Agribusiness Economic Department.  An online instructor for Valdosta State University, Department of Adult and Career Education.  Additionally, she is a Co-Owner of Abundant Harvest, LLC which develops customized training for business and industry as well as professional speaking.

Dr. Bond resides in Marion, Illinois with her husband, Dr. Jason Bond who is a Professor at SIUC in the Plant, Soil, and Agriculture Systems Department.  Jason is a second-generation plant pathologist, and his research program at SIUC focuses on the management of corn and soybean diseases. Together Drs. Bond serve as the Faculty Advisors for the SIU Agronomy Society.

Listen to the Podcast

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 7 Transcript

Barriers to Online Learning

Dr. Matt Simoneau

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Matt Simoneau about barriers to online learning. Dr. Simoneau is an Associate Professor in career and technical education at the University of Wisconsin – Stout where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in career and technical education topics.

Matt Simoneau is an Associate Professor in career and technical education at the University of Wisconsin – Stout where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in career and technical education topics. He previously held positions as Associate Dean at Inver Hills Community College, Construction Programs Coordinator at North Hennepin Community College, and served as faculty in the Building Inspections Technology program. He holds an Associates degree from Inver Hills Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Career, Technical Education and Training from UW-Stout, a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education from UW-Stout, and an Ed.D. in Career and technical Education from UW-Stout.   

Listen to the Podcast

 Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 6 Transcript

 

Remote Supervision in Higher Education

Dr. Tricia Berry

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Cordie interviews Dr. Tricia Berry about remote supervision in higher education. 

Dr. Berry is the Associate Dean and Director of Clinical and Practicum Programs for Purdue University Global. Dr. Berry is the Associate Dean and Director of Clinical and Practicum Programs for Purdue University Global.  She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a Specialization in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Kaplan University, and Bachelors’ degrees in both Occupational Therapy and Psychology from St. Ambrose University. Dr. Berry has worked in the field of online education since 2006. She's a member of numerous professional associations and serves on the Board of the Iowa Distance Learning Association and as the Director for AAACE’s Commission for Distance Teaching and Learning.

 

Listen to the Podcast

Conversations From the Front Porch Episode 5 Transcript