N ’
S ; e September 1997

The Douglas College Newsletter

 

m@ New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus & Thomas Haney Centre

Susan Witter: Here to listen,

The first thing you notice about
the new President of Douglas
College is her forthright gaze. It
lets you know that she wants to
know who you are and what
you do. It also tells you that
she’s paying careful attention to
what you have to say.

“T have been called direct,”
Susan Witter laughingly admits.
“As well as high-energy and
persistent—even strong-willed.
But I do listen. And as I get to
know Douglas College, I plan
to listen a lot.”

In fact, she’s issuing an
invitation to all College
employees who haven't yet met
her to come right up and say
hello. “I’m grateful for the
excellent orientation I’ve had so
far, and I want to keep talking
to a variety of people — at all
levels of the organization.
Relating to everyone who works
here is one of my core values.”

A series of events has been
planned to allow as many
College employees and students
as possible to get to know who

she is, but Witter also
encourages a more informal
approach. “I'd like people to
introduce themselves to me; I’d
like to be invited to meetings.
My leadership style depends
very much on open
communication and feedback.”

Accordingly, one of Witter’s
immediate priorities is to build
consensus throughout the
College. “We have to make sure
that all of our constituency
groups work together in
harmony. We've laid the
groundwork with the Strategic
Directions process—now we
need to get to work on
developing and implementing

our shared vision.”

Witter brings to this process a
solid background of innovation
and leadership in post-
secondary education. She holds
a Bachelor of Recreation
Education and an M.ED in
Adult Education from UBC,
and has pursued further studies
in economics of higher
education, learning and the law

and political economy of adult

education. She has worked in
BC’s community college system
for over 19 years, and has held
positions of increasing
administrative responsibility at

VCC, Kwantlen and UCFV.

So how is it making the
transition from Dean of Access
and Continuing Education at
UCEYV to President of Douglas
College? “I’m really excited to
be here,” says Witter. “The
selection process was good
because I had to articulate
clearly who I am. I know I have
something to offer, and I think
people are happy to have me
here—for the stability and
leadership I can provide, and
for my interest in new ideas and
non-traditional approaches to
education.”

Throughout her career, Witter
has also maintained strong
connections with community
groups and provincial bodies.
Provincially, her involvements
include work with the Labour
Force Development Board, the
Council on Admissions and
Transfer, the steering committee

 

During an August tour of the New Westminster Campus, Librarian Jean Cockburn (centre)
shows off new Learning Resources computers to President Susan Witter (left) and BCGEU
Steward Triena Marples (right).

 

1s

Douglas College

on Prior Learning Assessment
and the working committee on
Public/Private Articulation. She
has also recently been
appointed to the provincial
Industrial Training
Apprenticeship Committee.
Many local and women’s
organizations—ranging from
Abbotsford Community
Services to the YWCA to the
Canadian Congress for
Learning Opportunities for
Women—have helped to keep
her grounded in the diverse
communities now served by the
post-secondary system.

“In our drive to become a more
learner-centred institution, we'll
have to keep an eye on shifting
student demographics and
increasing educational choices.
Some of the things that
attracted me to Douglas
College were its focus on

here to lead

accessibility and the wide
spectrum of adult learners here.
To build on that we'll have to
keep responding to the
changing needs of students,
within a changing external
context.”

Despite the challenges inherent
in a time of increasing
educational change and
decreasing budgets, the look in
Witter’s eye tells you that she’s
up to the task. And while she
may be the first to tell you that
she can be tough when she
needs to be, it’s clear that-she’s
also a team-builder who loves
her work. “What I like best of
all is to mentor, to see
leadership skills evolve in
others,” she confirms. “I like
people, and I like bringing
them together to achieve

common goals.” @

 

Happy New Year!

Those of us who work at the College know that everything really
begins in September. And thanks to some wellness initiatives

starting up this month, you have the chance to start out on the
right foot for the 1997/98 academic year.

Lou Rene Legge, Director of the Centre for Sport, Recreation &
Wellness, is introducing the 50/100 Wellness Challenge. “This is a
first attempt to organize a response to the signs of workplace stress

we've been noticing in the College,” says Legge. “We want to get
people interested and involved, and hear about what works for

them.”

In the Challenge, each College employee is encouraged to tackle a
variety of aerobic and personal wellness activities. From a list of 100

activities — which range from listening to classical music to
swimming laps at the Canada Games Pool — simply choose 50 that

appeal to you, and complete them sometime between September

and December. After youre done, you'll not only feel great, you'll
earn a limited-edition Wellness t-shirt.

Workplace wellness is such a vital part of our College life that Legge

is inviting people to join the committee she is forming to encourage
this positive move. “We'll look at whatever is appropriate for each

campus,” Legge says, noting that there will be separate committees
for New Westminster and David Lam. “But let’s see if we can

coordinate our wellness efforts.” Individuals interested in fostering a

happy and healthy workplace are asked to drop Legge a note by
intercampus mail or to call local 5043. m

 

Quote of the Month

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882