Reflections on SCC Leadership Academy

The above picture of me receiving my Seminole Community College (SCC) Leadership Academy diploma at the April graduation ceremony from Dr. E. Ann McGee, Seminole Community College president, is the culmination of my terrific experience as part of the fantastic bonding and educational vehicle at SCC. The year-long program was the brainchild of Dr. McGee and reflects her commitment to educational excellence. Many college presidents espouse the virtues of of educational excellence, but Dr. McGee, SCC Communications and Marketing guru Michael Garlich, and their team of Leadership Academy alumni proved it by their actions. Like most folks with a criminal justice background, I believe that actions speak louder than words.


I was honestly impressed as Dr. McGee and company brought together a diverse group of men and women from across Seminole Community College's multiple campuses here in Central Florida to learn, laugh, and share about each other, the college, and educational leadership. I found it fascinating and made some great contacts and friends in the process. We even attended an SCC Board meeting and spent some time with the SCC Board of Trustees including Board Chair and Florida State Representative Chris Dorworth.

The highlight of the Seminole Community College Leadership Academy was our two day visit in March 2008 to Tallahassee (Florida's state capitol) hosted by Dr. McGee. In the state capitol, we toured the governmental complexes and learned much of the legislative and budgetary process and how it all ties into the educational picture in our state. We also saw the guenuine respect that educational and political leaders have for Dr. McGee. I have to say I was impressed.




The members of the SCC Leadership Academy also met with a host of dignitaries including SCC board of trustees chairman and state representative Chris Dorworth, Rep. Joe Pickens, Florida State University president Dr. T.K. Wetherell, and Florida Division of Community Colleges chancellor Dr. Willis N. Holcombe. These leaders gave us much advice and candidly discussed pressing issues facing community colleges.