New Vice President of Student Engagement seeks to foster growth
BY: JACOB POLITTE
Managing Editor
Dr. Keith Ware is Saint Louis through and through. He was born in the city, he spent some of his educational time at St. Louis Community College (STLCC) and he both taught and worked in Saint Louis. So, naturally when undertaking his new position of Vice President for student engagement and chief affairs officer at Meramec, he thought of the city’s largest community college students as his priority.
According to Dr. Ware, the most important event in history “for me [..] from an academic standpoint, it would be Brown v. Board of Education.” This answer to a very broad question is representative of what Ware wants to accomplish in his time here. He said he wants an equitable, fair time for all the students of St. Louis Community College. However, Ware said he believes that there is no pressing issue of a broad problem where students are, at large, receiving unfair treatment.
“What makes STLCC great,” Wear said, “is the fact that we do acknowledge that we have variants of students. Could things be done better for some? Yes, but that is at every institution.”
Dr. Ware said he believes that the college is in a good place. The institution at large is providing help for all students; no matter their ethnicity, sexual orientation, or specific circumstance, through ‘STLCC Transformed,’ he said.
His experience as the Associate Director for the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville’s East Saint Louis center allowed him to, “work to create what was best for the students down in that environment.” This changed his view on how higher education, and STLCC can function, he said.
The office he presides over will attempt to foster an environment that assists in the “growth and development” of students, not just look to create the best environment for students during class, said Dr. Ware. The intention is to provide students tools, and help them take care of their actual needs. In addition, they also wish to help students improve their quality of life through any possible means, whether that be a certificate, an associate, or the ability to transfer.
Dr. Ware said he wants students to be able to tell people, ‘You need to come to STLCC!’ Not because the college environment during class is great, but because they helped students do something that improved their life. He said his office wants to understand what you, the student, believes is best for you.
According to Ware, this philosophy doesn’t just extend to the students of STLCC; the entire staff is included.
“I think if there is anything that the pandemic taught us, people are happy in their roles when they feel as if the institution looks out for them and their best interests,” said Dr. Ware.
