The College Campaigner, 39

 President, Wesleyan College

Tell us about your vocation. Why did you choose it?

Very simply, higher education is about giving people the tools to change their trajectory in life.

I didn’t grow up in a wealthy family. When I was young, my grandmother showed me a university guidebook and said, “This is your way out.” She told me I’d need to work hard to find a way to pay for it, but she said this was the place where I’d learn the skills I needed to succeed. She was right – I did have to work hard, but the skills I was taught helped get me to the place where I am.

Now, I get to provide other young women with that same opportunity in a space where we can discuss and develop ideas that help us build a better society.

Tell us about your activities in the community, especially what you’re most excited about.

Coming to Macon from Canada as the president of a college, I knew I had to jump right into the community.

I’m on the board for Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, Goodwill, the Chamber, and the Pitts Foundation. All are great organizations, but I think I’m most excited about Boys and Girls Clubs. Last year I attended their Youth of the Year ceremony, and hearing the stories of young people who are working hard in Macon to better themselves and their communities is truly inspiring. If I can do something to make an impact on them, it’ll be worthwhile.

My family too is embracing Macon life. My sons are involved in school sports and arts programs. My husband is helping more Georgians discover the joy of hockey by starting the Macon Gators youth hockey program.

How do you think Macon is aligning to become a more inclusive place? How has that shaped your values and actions?

As a Canadian who is still relatively new to the South, I have been very impressed by how inclusive and welcoming this community is – not only to me but also to the diverse students we have on campus.

Last year, Wesleyan had international students travel from India, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Ukraine and Ethiopia to attend our school. Of course, Wesleyan staff worked to make them feel at home, but so did Macon.

These students volunteered in the community, took part in internships, and even went to peoples’ homes for Christmas when our campus was closed. To me, this speaks to what Macon is at its core – a truly welcoming community that just wants those from outside to experience how special it is.

What are your professional and personal goals?

I want to put Wesleyan College back on the map. This is a school with so much history. The first American woman to receive a college diploma graduated from our school, right here in Macon, Georgia. That’s incredible.

Do you know what’s not incredible? A few months ago, they asked a question about us on Jeopardy and no one knew the answer. They didn’t even guess!

So, my goal is to make sure that people know who Wesleyan College is, know that we’re here in Macon, and know that we are still a critical hub in the fight to achieve equality for women around the world.

What needs to change to encourage continued progress in our city?

We need to make sure everyone in Macon is benefiting from the recent success our city has found. One of the toughest things for me is speaking to young people right here in Macon who, at very young ages, have already ruled out college because they think they can’t afford it.

Education still remains the greatest economic equalizer. By working hard, many students can access higher education and change trajectories for themselves and their families.

We want to make sure that young people feel comfortable on our college campus and in higher education from a young age. For instance, that’s why Wesleyan partnered with Geneva West at REAL Impact. Through her organization, we’ve been able to host girls from third, fourth and fifth grade on our campus to learn about STEM. By exposing them early to college and making them feel welcome here, they are more likely to build confidence and learn how they can build their own careers and contribute to their communities.