Week of February 19, 2024

Hi Clovis Fam,

As you know, I have been out of the office for this entire week. I want you to know that I genuinely miss you. Please understand that I am enjoying all that I am doing but at the same time, I find myself wondering how you are. I know that some of you will be celebrating the life of brothers this weekend. I know that some of you have lost fathers this week. I know that there were birthdays this week. Please know that I am sending lots of hugs and wishes as if I were there. As I reflect upon the celebrations of life and birthdays, I am grateful that I was able to visit my parents this past weekend. My mom is 85 and my dad is 88. I cherish the fact that I am blessed to still have them in my life and to be able to sit and listen to all the stories (sometimes repeatedly 😊) gave me much joy. They look great. My dad has mobility issues, but he was up showing me that he was able to get around by himself with his Rolla. He whispered in my ear, “Your momma won't let me do anything." We laughed. I got to go to church with my mom, which is always a big deal. Here I got to see all of the elders, who are still alive, and I got to see some of the people from high school. Ya’ll, even though, I told her not to do anything special or worry about me… she made a big pot of gumbo and complained the whole time that she couldn’t find the shrimp 😊. Cooking is a major thing in my house, and it must be good and plentiful. I ate gumbo for breakfast, lunch and dinner and loved every minute of it. Hug your family and friends and cherish them forever.

On Monday, I left Baton Rouge on a 7 am flight and went straight to the conference in Orlando, FL. Every day and evening, I have been going to all the sessions. To be in a community of people from all over the world committed to student success, access, equity, community engagement and process improvement was invigorating. To hear from community colleges who are willing to share their processes to developing best practice programs is refreshing. However, the most impactful was hearing from students who shared their very person “I AM" speeches. They told us of them being foster kids, they told us, of horrific family and living conditions and they told us of the stripping of their identity as members of the LGBTQIA+ or Native American (term they used). I teared up every time the students boldly and bravely shared their personal details of their “I AM.” Then they told us of how it was the people at their community college who wrapped around them and not only told them that they could do it but also guided them on how to finish. They told us of what their career plans were and, in some cases, how they, as a former foster youth, are now an emergency nurse. They talked about how their lives and that of their children and families are changed because they came to community college and found a reason to succeed.

As I listened to these student “I AM” stories I thought of the importance of giving our students a safe space to use their voice. I thought immediately of Von, Stephen, Kirt, and all of you and the passion and commitment to making it happen for each and every one of our students. We talked about the importance of the humanities in everything that we do at the community college in preparing our students for life. We talked about the continued importance of incorporating the humanities in all including CTE programs. To incorporate the humanities prepares students for jobs and prepares them to think and be able to move up as well as have careers. It allows them economic and social mobility because if the company they are at closes, they are positioned to pivot. We talked about the concept of holding their hands. As many are first generation students, we recognize that “they don’t know what they don’t know.” We have the opportunity to be their guide. We talked about how students and times have changed….what intentional and proactive steps should we take to have the greatest impact on the success of our students.

I was most thankful that Teresa Mendes, Ryan Feyk-Miney and Gurdeep Hebert were able to go with me. As we proceed with this framework, designed to help us look at all that we currently do and all that we are considering doing, we will be able be strategic with our next steps so that we can address capacity, initiative fatigue, processes, and most importantly who we are and what are our goals for our students.

As I am informed, I will continue to provide you information on next steps, the process and the opportunities for participation in answering the questions of "who are we and what are our goals for our students?”

After I leave the conference, I am flying to Atlanta to hug my daughters, both natural and adopted and let them know that they are loved.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. One where you take care of yourselves to those of you "burning the candle at both ends" who are exhausted beyond imagine yet have to keep going. I hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy family even if it's during the celebration of life events of a lost loved one, a birthday party, birth of a child, a wedding or any event that brings us together. Hug someone and let them know you care. That may be the one gesture that brings someone peace.

In service,

Kim E. Armstrong, Ph.D.