Affinity Magazine, Summer 2021

Dream Big

» If you are an alum who likes to follow closely what is happening at your alma mater, you probably know that the summer is the time for change in higher education — reflection, careful planning, doing and dreaming about the future.

Our Strategic Planning Committee has been charged with identifying what big ideas need to be conceived and implemented to ensure Columbia College remains relevant for years to come.

When giving the committee its charge back in March, I reminded them of the hockey metaphor attributed to Wayne Gretsky to “skate where the hockey puck is going to be, not where it is now.” Strategic planning is about catching the next wave of innovation. As a December deadline whispers in their ears, the members — trustees, staff, faculty, students, community thought leaders and location directors — are preserving the culture that has always defined us, even as they forge new ideas that will help assure our future success. Turn to Page 10 to learn more.

The Board of Trustees has undergone some changes as well. Four new members were welcomed to the college’s governing board on July 1. Byron Hill of Venice, Florida; Bill Leeper ’04 of Fernandina, Florida; Col. Mike Randerson (USAF, Retired) of Columbia, Missouri; and CCAA representative Joshua Muder ’99 of Olathe, Kansas, are a distinguished group united in their dedication to Columbia College. We are fortunate to have them. Two trustees — Lex Cavanah of Marceline, Missouri, and Janet Wright ’58 of Columbia, Missouri — retired from the board and will be missed by those of us who depended on them for their experience and wise counsel.

Patty Fischer returned to Columbia College in July in the role of chief human resources officer after a three-year stint as director of Human Resources for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Dixie Williams, who has accumulated wide experience in a variety of studentfacing roles at Missouri State, Missouri Southern, Missouri Western and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, accepted the position of vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing. (See page 7 for more on Dixie). Both positions serve on our senior leadership team.

We hope you enjoy the latest edition of Affinity, and thank you for being part of our Columbia College family.

You are CC!

Dr. David Russell, Interim President