Courage, Persistence, Resiliency | Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith

BY KATIE MAHONEY | VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

“My mother once told me that she always wanted to be the wife of a college president, but that I could be one.”

Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, President of York College of Pennsylvania, didn’t intend on a career in education administration. After twelve years as a research scientist and multiple opportunities to lead and guide projects in that arena, she discovered that she had a talent for generating enthusiasm about projects that needed funding to those in a position to fund them.

When speaking of her decision to transition from a research scientist to a teacher-educator she shared, “I decided that I could either write 30 science papers, or I could help 30 people each write 30 papers – that would be impactful. How much time does one have to have an impact or to do what you’re going to do? Time moves fast. I asked myself ‘what do I want my legacy to be?’ I wanted to influence other young women, especially of color, to achieve their own path. It’s never been about me. It’s about what I can do for those who come behind me.”

I wanted to influence other young women, especially of color, to achieve their own path. It’s never been about me, it’s about what I can do for those who come behind me.

Undoubtedly, Dr. Gunter-Smith has done so in every level of her career, and certainly at York College. Her focus has been bringing together students and community, not just one or the other. Evidenced by the demographic shifts in students, and more first-generation students enrolling, change has been happening under her leadership.

“We are putting an emphasis on a sense of belonging as being key to students’ success,” Dr. Gunter-Smith states. “We’re in the knowledge economy, and our task is to prepare graduates for a lifetime of meaningful careers. Not just what you’ve done, but what you are capable of doing 5, 6, 7, 8 jobs from now.”

She practices what she preaches, with her own personal journey mirroring her leadership style. “Each position you have should build upon something else you’ve done, and build on the skills you have to transfer to the next situation,” she shares. Dr. Gunter-Smith encourages students, colleagues, and all to do a skill assessment and determine how those skills are going to get you to that next step, while at the same time not getting too comfortable. “Stay long enough to have an impact, but not so long that you miss other opportunities along the way.”

And how to do that? “Broaden your circle,” she says. “Have people and mentors around you who know what your talents are, and in that circle, people who know what you are capable of doing.”