The search for a new campus president is down to the “final four” as Interim president Zerrie Campbell’s term comes to an end. On March 1 and 2, the four candidates visited STLCC-Meramec to answer questions from students, faculty and staff. The candidates included George Wasson, vice president of academic affairs for Meramec; Thomas Baynum, Ed.D., president of Coastal Bend College; Anita Kaplan, former president of the Medical Center Campus of Miami Dade College; and Andrea Lewis Miller, Ph.D., chancellor of Sowela Technical Community College. Candidates were given the opportunity to voice their leadership styles and personal experiences with their audiences.
Thomas Baynum
Kelly Davis
– Copy Editor –
After spending four years working as president and chief academic officer of Coastal Bend College, Thomas Baynum, Ed.D., said he is ready to move.
Baynum said he is prepared to share his wisdom which is why he stood in front of students and faculty to validate why he wants the next presidential position at STLCC-Meramec.
“Everyone does and should have their own opinions. I am here to listen and give them answers,” Baynum said.
Baynum told his audience that he is here to help Meramec. He said he wants to get involved, talk to students and teachers and hopefully make a change.
“I really want to find a way to pull ideas and opinions to create a dialogue and keep that ball in the air,” Baynum said. “The idea in a dialogue is to keep it up there and do not let that ball drop.”
When it comes to this position as president, Baynum is looking to meet all the needs that the students and faculty desire, especially with the budget cuts.
“I need to know more details about the [budget cut] situation. Without discussion and consideration, pink slips cannot be done and handed out,” Baynum said.
Baynum said he wants to help Meramec in any way possible through active communication, support and contribution from a trustworthy staff.
“I am a talk-and-eat kind of guy,” Baynum said. “I make sure that people eat and discuss improvements.”
Baynum said he wants people to feel comfortable to come to him for anything and everything; it’s all about respect. He said he is willing to listen and help in any way that he can as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Andrea Lewis Miller
Shane Rice
– News Editor –
With approximately 17 years of experience, Andrea Lewis Miller, Ph.D., chancellor of Sowela Technical College (STC), said she believes students are the foundation for success.
Miller has served four years as the chancellor for STC and was tasked with converting the technical college over to a comprehensive college to “better community education.”
Miller holds a doctorate and master’s degree in cell and developmental biology from Atlanta University along with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from LeMoyne-Owen College.
“When I was presented with the opportunity for Meramec president, I went online and looked at the outlined profile. I saw what students, faculty and staff wanted from their next president were looking for,” Miller said. “I matched that up with my background and my experiences and decided to apply because I believe I am a match for what the campus seems to need.”
Miller said she considers her managing style collaborative and calls herself a servant leader, “… because to lead you must serve.”
During the forum, Miller said it’s very important to not only listen to others but communicate back and respond to the needs of students, faculty and staff.
Miller said it is critical to hear and understand what people have to say and what their concerns are. According to Miller, all issues are important and should be dealt with as such.
“It’s also important to get people to share in the governance of an issue or issues,” Miller said. “People need to see a leader as a person that will do whatever it takes to be part of the campus community through good and bad times.”
Anita Kaplan
Joe Douglas
– Editor-in-Chief –
No one person makes the decision. Anita Kaplan, Ed.D., previous president of Miami Dade’s Medical Center Campus, said she places much focus on making collaborative decisions whenever possible.
“My best ideas come from other people. You are other people,” Kaplan said.
An opportunity Kaplan said she has provided to students in the past is involving student officers in the decision-making process at her level. She said she also tries to attend student government meetings whenever possible to see what’s happening at the student level.
One issue Kaplan addressed at the forum was the need to look at alternative sources of revenue in the face of funding shortages. “We’re going to have to be really creative, and innovative, and entrepreneurial and all those things in every aspect of the work we do about how we can offset some of these losses, and I don’t think there’s any one answer.”
Kaplan’s experience in decision-making comes from working in higher education for approximately 36 years.
From 1974 to 2010, Kaplan has worked at several community colleges and universities throughout the nation. She has held positions including professor, director of academic assistance, division chair of liberal studies, dean of academic affairs, assistive dean of external relations, executive vice president of academic affairs, and president.
“I think I’ve grown up in the environment where I’ve had experiences as a classroom teacher, as a middle-level administrator, as somebody involved in the community and making partnerships with business, with industry, with hospitals,” Kaplan said.
George Wasson
Kurt Oberreither
– Staff Writer –
STLCC-Meramec’s own George Wasson is one of four presidential candidates vying for Meramec’s top seat.
At the third presidential open forum, students, faculty and staff were given the opportunity to learn more about Wasson, vice president of academic affairs.
Wasson served as acting president in 2010 and is working toward a doctorate in management, community college policy and administration.
Wasson’s experience at Meramec ranges from academic affairs to economics club sponsor.
At the forum, he said having worked in other areas at the campus and going back to school will help him step into the role as president and see the “big picture.”
“I’ve been preparing a lot,” Wasson said. “This isn’t the easiest thing I’ve done—going back to school, writing these papers. This isn’t something I thought about last week.”
Wasson said he is “process oriented” and focused on keeping others informed. Wasson said communication and consistency are two key aspects to improve faculty morale.”We have to see that we’re appreciated,” Wasson said. “I work hard [and] you work hard. When we feel people aren’t listening, morale goes down the tubes.”
According to Wasson, Meramec’s many resources and abilities need to be brought together. Additionally, Wasson said Meramec has come to a time when stability is important for the progression of the campus.
“Meramec is a very good campus. I think, though, with a little bit of leadership and this continuity, we can become a greater campus,” Wasson said
