Shirley Anderson awarded Carolyn Desjardins Leadership Award
The mission of the Oregon Chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges is to inspire, champion, and celebrate the talents within each of us. To recognize and celebrate this mission, the AAWCC Board of Directors awarded the 2002 Carolyn DesJardins Leadership Award to Dr. Shirley Anderson, retired Dean of Instruction for Portland Community College's Sylvania Campus.
Her nominators describe Shirley as "a mentor and role model for other women", "a genuine person who cares about making connections with Oregon community college women", and "a woman who values her relationships with others". During her long career as a community college educator, she worked as an instructor, department chair, associate dean and dean of instruction. Shirley was the President of Oregon AAWCC from 1999-2001, and continues active service as the Past-President.
Alice Jacobson, Executive Dean of the Sylvania Campus, Portland Community College wrote in her nomination letter:
"I worked with Shirley from 1987 to 2001 when she retired from her job as Dean of Instruction for Portland Community College's Sylvania campus. We worked next door to each other from May 1991 until October 2001. I mention this because I was in a unique position to observe her daily activities.
"Shirley has always been a mentor and role model for other women. From her days as a nursing faculty member through her career as a Department Chair, Associate Dean, and Dean of Instruction, she has been keenly interested in the success of all faculty and staff, particularly women. She has worked as a formal and informal mentor with dozens of women. And, she has been a role model for students and other employees because as a wife and mother of two sons, she completed BS, MS, and PhD. degrees while working full time.
"Shirley is bright, articulate, caring, intuitive, and has the best laugh in any room. She is a skilled problem solver, and she is extraordinarily creative. She can be tough, and she can be empathetic. She is politically savvy. If a person has a job to do and wants it done on time, beautifully executed, and making everyone feel good about the process: give the job to Shirley!
"Shirley has assumed many leadership positions. Two worthy of mention are Chair of the Deans of Instruction group in the state and the Presidency of Oregon AAWCC. She spent time as President after she retired, and she is now fulfilling her obligations as Past President when she could be spending her time sunning on the proverbial beach.
"Everything Shirley does is done with thought and deep caring about the people involved. I trust her judgment.
"If anyone deserves an award as "Woman of the Year" or "Woman Who Has Done the Most" it's Shirley."
Miriam Jordan, with the Office for Instruction and Student Services of Lane Community College contributed this nomination:
"It has been a pleasure getting to know Shirley when I was a fellow board member of the Oregon Chapter of AAWCC. I find Shirley to be a genuine person who care about making connections with Oregon community college women and she cares that women who take leadership roles are sucessful. Her leadership on AAWCC has been inspirational. When working with her, she shares her knowledge and wisdom about leadership and how to move forward within an organization. She has always treated me with respect and she is enthusiastic about what I try to accomplish. Shirley is involved with this community and has participated in the "Race for the Cure," an annual run that raises money for breast cancer research. Although she has retired, her spitit lives on in the Oregon Chapter of AAWCC."
From Chemeketa Community College, Business Services Director Julie Huckestein
"Shirley is a role model for me and other women in community colleges. During the time we have spent together I have been impressed by Shirley's sense of balance between her personal and professional life and her commitment to AAWCC and women's issues. She always seems so organized and professional, yet easy to know at the same time. She seems to make it look so easy! Even when she has encountered difficulties personally, she has remained concerned for others.
"One of the first things you notice about Shirley is her smile and the warmth and calmness that surround her. She makes old and new friends feel comfortable and important. She shares herself with others and provides guidance and direction. She has a gift.
"Shirley is a woman who values relationships with others. Her warmth and support helped guide me through some difficult and challenging personal and professional crises. After one of our meetings I was surprised and inspired by a card I received from Shirley. This is only one small example of the kindness that Shirley shows to those around her. She is a beautiful woman who works and lives from the heart.
"Shirley is very deserving of the Carolyn DesJardins award. She epitomizes the mission of AAWCC--she inspired others to be their best, she is a champion for women, and celebrates life."
Shirley, a native of Spokane, Washington, is married and the mother of
two sons and a daughter-in-law. Her education includes a diploma from Deaconess
Hospital School of Nursing (Spokane); a BS in Nursing from Walla Walla
College (Washington); an MS in Nursing Administration from Andrews University
(Michigan); and from the University of Oregon, a PhD in Educational Policy
and Manangement, with an emphasis in community colleges.
After working in hospitals as a staff and head nurse she began her 30 year career
at Portland Community College. Shirley held positions as a nursing faculty member,
Nursing Department Chair, Associate Dean, and her last ten years she was the
Dean of Instruction for the Sylvania campus of PCC. She was also a graduate faculty
member in the College of Education at Portland State University.
Shirley retired from PCC in Fall 2001 and continues to stay active in organizations
and in the community, serving on the Board of the Oregon Chapter of AAWCC; as
a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International (Education Honorary); and volunteering
in the community.
At the 2001 AAWCC Fall Conference, Dr. Terri Johanson, Assistant Commissioner of Oregon Community Colleges, received Oregon AAWCC's DesJardins Award. Many members of AAWCC know her as one who is always willing to help organize and identify skills and accomplishments in developing resumes. Her accomplishments started from single projects and moved to administrative positions within Chemeketa Community College as director of the bilingual Woodburn campus, then as director of the Woodburn and Santiam campuses. Most recently, she was chosen as Assistant Commissioner for Oregon Community Colleges.
Previous winners of the Carolyn DesJardins Leadership Award also include Brenda Brecke, Carolyn DesJardins, Nikki Harrington, Alice Jacobson, Marcia Keith, Rebecca Kenney, Dan Moriarity, Mary Spilde, and Stephanie Sussman.
Nominations for the 2003 Carolyn DesJardins Award are open until October 18, 2003. (Read more about the nomination process.)