I learned last week that our Center Coordinator in Claremont, Cathy Driesch, will be leaving the campus next year to work in Granite State College's administration office. I am, to say the least, completely bummed out by this news. Cathy has been a great leader to the staff, and to the students as well. She can spot a student, current or former, at 100 yards and tell you where they work, what degree program they are/were in, and how long they've been with the college. She knows tons of business owners and organizations, and she goes out of her way to make sure the faculty have the operational support that they need. Part of her superpowers come from being part of the college for going on two decades, but part of it is truly unique, amazing, inspiring, and will be missed more than words can say.
Cathy has been so successful 1. because she is a collaborator, and 2. because she is genuine. As a leader, Cathy always strives to work with people. She wants to figure out what the best idea in the room is and do it. She wants to keep things simple and effective and have everyone on the same page. She never tells us what to do, rather she inspires us to explore the limits of our potential. Most importantly, she leads by example. Cathy is someone you trust immediately because you can tell she is not hiding anything. If she doesn't know the answer to your question, she admits it. If she cannot tell you due to confidentiality issues, she says that. Her genuineness is ingenious because it makes you want to be on her team, not because the team is going to win every time, but because you can trust that the team will always do the best work possible. Our campus is a place where students can feel comfortable and successful, and where the staff work together with the common goal of helping the students.
With Cathy's departure we will enter another phase of leadership at GSC. I've been wondering "Where are we being led, who is going to get us there, and what methodology will be used?" In this phase of uncertainty, Cathy reminded the Claremont staff that we are successful in what we do because of who we are, and that we care about doing our jobs well. We can carry on without her, but I lift my glass to the woman who has calmly and quietly guided us to a place of confidence and effectiveness. We will miss you!
Cathy has been so successful 1. because she is a collaborator, and 2. because she is genuine. As a leader, Cathy always strives to work with people. She wants to figure out what the best idea in the room is and do it. She wants to keep things simple and effective and have everyone on the same page. She never tells us what to do, rather she inspires us to explore the limits of our potential. Most importantly, she leads by example. Cathy is someone you trust immediately because you can tell she is not hiding anything. If she doesn't know the answer to your question, she admits it. If she cannot tell you due to confidentiality issues, she says that. Her genuineness is ingenious because it makes you want to be on her team, not because the team is going to win every time, but because you can trust that the team will always do the best work possible. Our campus is a place where students can feel comfortable and successful, and where the staff work together with the common goal of helping the students.
With Cathy's departure we will enter another phase of leadership at GSC. I've been wondering "Where are we being led, who is going to get us there, and what methodology will be used?" In this phase of uncertainty, Cathy reminded the Claremont staff that we are successful in what we do because of who we are, and that we care about doing our jobs well. We can carry on without her, but I lift my glass to the woman who has calmly and quietly guided us to a place of confidence and effectiveness. We will miss you!
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