Gretchen Schuette 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 2003 Carolyn DesJardins Leadership Award to Dr. Gretchen Schuette, President of Chemeketa Community College.
In their nomination letter, the Chemeketa Community College Chapter
of AAWCC-Oregon wrote:
We would like to nominate Chemeketa's President, Gretchen Schuette,
for the 2003 AAWCC Oregon Chapter Carolyn DesJardins Leadership award.
Gretchen epitomizes leadership. She inspires. She brings literature
into her speeches, and often will pull a poem or quote out of her head
to make a point. She also uses actions to demonstrate a point. Recently
at her inservice keynote, she rappelled off a 35 foot building to show
us her willingness to risk and show "no fear" as we face
another year of budget crises. She uses creativity to communicate the
vision of the college. The theme of our inservice keynote was Reality
TV, where she used four reality shows to make her points—Fear
Factor, Survivor, "Chemeketa"
Idol, and the Amazing Race.
Gretchen walks the talk...practices what she preaches. She is willing
to do whatever work is needed. She works harder than anyone, yet does
not complain. She does her homework, and is not afraid to say
"I don't get it, explain that to me again." She listens.
She praises people for their work. She eagerly compliments people at
all levels at the college, and knows most staff by name.
Gretchen is passionate about inclusion and diversity. A year ago she
personally funded a trip for twenty-four staff and community members
to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to deepen and strengthen
our ongoing conversations around diversity. All of our executive team
members were required to go. Just last month, a second group attended.
Gretchen makes sure the learning and conversations continue. She helped
write the college's diversity statement and quotes it from heart on
many occasions.
Even though she is very smart, Gretchen leads with her heart. She never
makes people feel intimidated. She treats all people with respect and
humility. She is genuine. She has a great sense of humor and will be
first to laugh at herself. One can often hear her laughter ring throughout
our building.
Gretchen keeps students at the focus of all college discussions. She
never loses sight of our mission and she keeps the vision at the forefront
of all decisions. She sets the stage in many meetings by reminding
us of the college's values, vision, and mission.
Gretchen is committed to community colleges. Her journey with community
colleges began in 1979 at Linn Benton as a dance aerobics instructor.
In 1981 she taught writing classes at LBCC and became Chair of the
Humanities Department. She then became Director of College and Community
Relations, Instructional Services and Learning Resources. In 1988 she
joined Chemeketa Community College as Dean of Humanities, Sciences
and Learning Resources and served there until 1992. From 1992-96 Gretchen
was the Executive Vice-President of Mt. Hood Community College. She
was asked to serve as interim Commissioner of the Oregon Community
Colleges in 1996. OSU persuaded her to work as Dean of Distance and
Continuing Education the following year. The Gresham-Barlow School
District stole her from OSU in 1998. Missing community colleges, Gretchen
applied for the Presidency at Chemeketa in 2001.
Gretchen is passionate about women's leadership in community colleges.
She personally participated in NILD and supported AAWCC for a number
of years. She was a good friend of Carolyn DesJardins and visited her
during her illness. We know she would be honored to receive this award
which she so deserves.
Dr. Gretchen Schuette is president of Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. Her career has been devoted to serving public education in Oregon in K-12, community college, and university sectors. She has expressed a commitment to higher education access for all Oregonians and a commitment to excellence in learning environments.
Her previous positions include superintendent of the Gresham Barlow School District, dean of Distance and Continuing Education, and director of Portland Area Programs for Oregon State University, interim commissioner of Oregon Community Colleges, executive vice president of Mt. Hood Community College, dean of Humanities, Sciences, and Learning Assistance at Chemeketa Community College, as well as director of Instructional Services and Learning Resources, Director of Instructional Services and College Relations, Director of College and Community Relations, and chair of the Humanities Department, and faculty member at Linn Benton Community College. She is an active member of numerous public committees and community organizations, including the Oregon Small Business Development Center State Advisory Council, Oregon Workforce Investment Board, and the College of Science Board of Visitors for Oregon State University.
Gretchen Schuette holds a BA in English Literature from Smith College, an MA in Biology from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from Oregon State University.
Gretchen was appointed to the Oregon State Board of Higher Education in January 2004. Her term expires in 2008.
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.
Previous winners of the Carolyn DesJardins Leadership Award also include Terri Johanson, Brenda Brecke, Carolyn DesJardins, Nikki Harrington, Alice Jacobson, Marcia Keith, Rebecca Kenney, Dan Moriarity, Mary Spilde, and Stephanie Sussman.
Nominations for the 2004 Carolyn DesJardins Award are open until October 18, 2004. (Read more about the nomination process.)