President’s Message

First, I want to acknowledge the work of those who served on the NEASC Steering Team and the work groups for the eleven standards. Most importantly, Dr. Brian Donohue-Lynch and Dr. Hyunyong Kim who served as co-chairs of the process have earned the gratitude of our entire college community. They undertook this formidable responsibility with no reduction in their other responsibilities. Their commitment to task, consistent positive tone, and focus on process has resulted in a document of which the college community as a whole can be proud. Dr. Scott DeShong, who served as our talented editor, took the voices of many and brought them together into one that is clear and representative of all.

In reflecting on the self-study prepared in 1991 and this one in 2001, one comes away with two strong but very different impressions. First, the heart and soul of the institution is unchanged. Personal attention to students and fellow staff, the expectation to be respectful when disagreeing, and our close and positive relationship with the community we serve remain unchanged. Our human resources continue to be our most valued. The monthly all-staff meeting remains the key to our governance and is but one example of this cross-college collegiality.

Yet we are a very different institution in other ways. In moving to a learning centered institution with a focus of Learners First we have deliberately and strategically changed our organizational architecture and our planning process. We have incorporated the principles and practices of Total Quality and invested heavily in technology at all levels. We operate with teams, often cross-functional, and use the increased information now available more effectively for decision making. We consistently seek alliances and partnerships including the creation and utilization of positions shared with other institutions. Our significant enrollment growth is now changing our identity from that of the smallest of the twelve Connecticut community colleges for the first time in our history.

We welcome the visit by the evaluation team and the review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. We know what we learn from you will provide us yet another opportunity to improve ourselves and thus benefit both present and future students and the northeast Connecticut community we serve.

President Dianne E. Williams