President's Blog

Putting Your Community First is at the Heart of Effective Leadership

February is a month full of important symbolism. For this blog, I found myself reflecting on the heart and how I try to lead with the heart in everything I do at Owens.

During college, I really fell in love with the opportunity to impact other people’s lives in a positive way. And that passion has stayed with me throughout my career. Being in a leadership role in higher education is not something that you take on and off like a coat. It’s part of who you are, especially at a community college.

Part of who we are at Owens is a proud culture of belonging. We welcome and embrace everyone – from literally every background and walk of life. We have students who come to us academically confident and choose Owens as a great place to start or explore, and we have students who wouldn’t have the life they are going to have if it wasn’t for this institution. We are able to provide learners whatever it is that they need – their start, their opportunity, the tools, caring people – to be able to move forward. We meet them where they are and I think that’s very meaningful.

I’m proud to say our faculty and staff take initiative, which is incredibly valuable in building our culture. Extra touches of care determine how someone feels about us. And if they have a good feeling and a good impression, they are more likely to feel good about their connection here. I want everyone to look at Owens as a reflective and thoughtful college community that embodies a mission and vision of belonging and growth.

Personally, I believe I have a pretty open and engaging leadership style. I believe that there is wisdom in our teams and that the collective wisdom comes together to set the best direction for whatever we are trying to do. People want to feel included and want to be part of the decision-making process. I really believe, particularly in higher education, and especially at community colleges, people are here because they want to be here. What’s been so reaffirming is that our faculty and staff talk time and time again about how they love our students, how they love the institution. If we’re able strengthen the culture where people feel free to bring their best thinking and share their best ideas, that will continue to make us a better organization.

Our mission at Owens relates perfectly to the advice I give young leaders today. We foster student success by providing high quality and affordable education and training that leads to rewarding careers and personal growth. To our current and future students, I encourage you to believe in yourself, be reflective, and seek education.

People have better lives overall if they earn a degree or certificate or complete short-term training after high school. It leads to better outcomes – higher lifetime earnings, better health, greater lifelong learning potential, and other things that allow you to have a stable life. Those outcomes aren’t limited to the individual; it impacts their families and their communities. It’s one aspect of how we drive workforce and economic development. It goes beyond just a skill, trade or program of study. You learn about yourself. You learn different perspectives and are able to look at situations from multiple angles.

When I look to our future together, I want Owens to continue to grow as an institution, and I’m excited as we continue to build momentum. If we’re able to coalesce as a college community to leverage our strengths and take advantage of the opportunities, and to do that for the betterment of all of northwest Ohio, we’re unstoppable.

Dione D. Somerville, Ed.D.
President