The search for STLCC-Meramec’s Chancellor ends. Welcome Myrtle Dorsey.
Shane Rice
– News Editor –
Steve Duncan
– Staff Writer –
With 33 years of experience in higher education, Myrtle Dorsey, Ph.D., current chancellor of Baton Rouge Community College and chair-elect of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) will take over as the new the Chancellor of STLCC starting June 16, 2011.
Dorsey said her experience in various types of institutions has prepared her for the position.
“I try to keep us moving ahead. I try to keep us together as a team,” Dorsey said. “You can get far more done, cheaper, as a group than you can as individuals.”
According to trustee Libby Fitzgerald, Dorsey’s background in student affairs indicates she will be student-centered, “which is a great quality for our next CEO.” Trustee Joann Ordinachev agreed and said in an STLCC article, “I am very excited about our current student initiatives, and I believe Dr. Dorsey will continue them and even improve them.”
Dorsey has received multiple honors including the Baton Rouge Sisterhood Award, the NAACP Freedom Fund Community Service Award and the National Institute for Staff Organizational Development’s Master Teacher Award. In addition to her achievements, she has also represented the AACC at the first White House Summit on Community Colleges in October 2010.
Dorsey said student focus groups help guide her executive team’s decisions in programs and services offered. The president of the Student Government Association (SGA) and the president of the faculty senate serve on her cabinet.
Vice President of Academic Affairs George Wasson said, “I think she is a great leader and will bring STLCC to a national level. I was there for her open forum and was impressed with her ideas for change.”
Dorsey said including people is important in keeping fresh ideas and energy flowing.
“Whatever job I do, I can learn something from it,” Dorsey said. “No one can take that knowledge from you and you can pass it on to others.”
BRCC grew from 1,850 students to 8,440 students in 12 years under her leadership according to Dorsey
Denise Chachere, board chair, said, “I think Dr. Dorsey is a wonderful choice and I think she is going to take the college to the next level.
With Chancellor Zelema Harris, Ed. D., leaving her position, Chachere said continuing to focus on strategic directions, which according to her have severed well in the past, will do the district well in the future.
Board trustee Craig Larson said, ““The choice of Dr. Dorsey became clear to me when I realized her style was to build capacity using teams, and her expertise showed an ability to relate us to the community.”
According to Dorsey, BRCC’s budget operates at 63 percent by negotiating vendor’s contracts with double-digit returns, digitizing documents and closing buildings during the summer session.
“We saved $10,000 by closing one building,” Dorsey said.
During her tenure, BRCC secured certification to award federal financial aid and completed a $73.3 million construction project.
Dorsey obtained a doctorate degree from the University of Texas and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morgan State University.
In addition to her degrees, she played a key role in establishing numerous programs at the newly formed State of Louisiana System and said she has not forgotten students are at the center of all that is done at the community college
Chachere said Dorsey seemed more student-focused than the other candidates and seemed like she would continue to lead the district in the right direction.
“The other candidates were very good in their own rights, but at the end of the day we believe Dorsey was the best fit for our needs and goals,” Chachere said.
A look at the other candidates who spoke at the chancellor forums
Thomas Klincar, Ph.D.
Shane Rice
– News Editor –
President of John Wood Community College (JWCC) in Quincy, Ill., Thomas Klincar, Ph.D., joined two other candidates in the chancellor open forums on April 6 and 7.
Klincar spent 28 years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a full colonel in July 2008. He said it was his experience as an officer that gives him the experience and knowledge needed to become the next chancellor for STLCC.
“I’m a road warrior more than anything else. I like to get out there and see what’s going on within our district,” Klincar said. “If it’s a performing arts show, sporting events or students doing something special, I want to be there and experience it. I get a better idea about what’s going on by being part of the college community and listening to the needs of students, faculty and staff.”
Klincar’s prior positions include commander of the USAF’s College for Enlisted Professional Military Education and commandant of the Community College of the Air Force. In 2008, Klincar was appointed president of JWCC.
With a doctorate in literature and language arts from De La Salle University, Klincar also holds a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
“A chancellor needs to be not only engaged with the people on campus but an advocate,” Klincar said. “I will to be out there talking with the major employers and working with the students, learning the ways of our community to help this institution become even more of a success.”
Marcia Pfeiffer, Ph.D.
Joe Douglas
– Editor-in-Chief –
Marcia Pfeiffer, Ph.D., president of STLCC-Florissant Valley, took her 30-plus years of experience at STLCC to the Chancellor Forum on April 7.
The Florissant Valley president opened her presentation with a focus on student success. “What happens in the classroom is the most critical factor in the achievement of our students,” Pfeiffer said.
One expectation Pfeiffer holds herself to, she said, is fostering better communication between K through 12 schools and STLCC.
“We need to get ourselves in a position to where we’re actually talking with them [superintendents] about what’s happening inside the college and what’s happening in their institutions and how is it that we’re going to make a better pathway to address what I think are pretty obvious statements,” Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer first joined STLCC as a faculty member. She served as department chair from 1986 to 1993, associate dean for business and human development for four years and executive dean for two years. She has worked at Florissant Valley and Forest Park.
“We have very different cultures and traditions,” Pfeiffer said. “So while there are many things I know about St. Louis Community College, and many things I’ve learned about the college as a whole… I have a lot to learn.”
In addition, Pfeiffer has also spear-headed the development of the Emerson Center for Engineering and Manufacturing which opened in 2004.
“I think the reality of the situation is we must be focused on the work we need to do around student success,” Pfeiffer said.
