Unlocking the Potential of Community Colleges: Insights from Dr. Bette Simmons

In a captivating episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, Dr. Jill Creighton sits down with Dr. Bette Simmons, an esteemed leader in higher education, to delve into the transformative role of community colleges in today's academic landscape. Dr. Simmons, a celebrated figure in student affairs, shares her journey and insightful perspectives that challenge traditional views of community colleges and highlight their evolving importance in serving diverse student populations.

A Career Dedicated to Student Success

Dr. Simmons has devoted over four decades to enhancing student engagement, success, and leadership development, primarily within community colleges. Her career began serendipitously when a convincing interview led to an unexpected but remarkable path in student affairs at County College of Morris. Her story is a testament to the impact of passion-driven work and the profound influence mentors and community connections can have on one's professional trajectory.

Reimagining Community Colleges

The conversation challenges the outdated perception that community colleges are a "second choice" for students. Instead, Dr. Simmons emphasizes their vital role in providing accessible education and addressing the needs of underrepresented students and adult learners. She discusses the significant strides community colleges have made in workforce development and dual enrollment programs, illustrating their commitment to meeting industry needs and offering students a robust, supportive educational environment.

Tackling Student Challenges

Dr. Simmons also candidly addresses the growing challenges faced by today's students, including basic needs insecurity and mental health issues. She shares anecdotes of students who have triumphed over adversity, thanks to the supportive networks provided by community colleges. Her stories underscore the importance of holistic student support systems, which are increasingly necessary to navigate the multifaceted challenges students face in higher education today.

A Legacy of Mentorship and Leadership

As a pioneer in the development of NASPA's knowledge communities, Dr. Simmons’s contributions have shaped the broader landscape of student affairs. Her advice to new professionals is straightforward: seek connections, remain curious, and never underestimate the value of persistence and resilience in building a fulfilling career.

Why Listen?

This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in understanding the evolving role of community colleges and the future of higher education. Dr. Simmons’s experiences and insights not only celebrate the successes of these institutions but also advocate for their continued innovation and inclusivity. Listening to her story could ignite a deeper appreciation for community colleges and inspire educators and administrators to rethink how they can best support their students.

Tune into this enriching dialogue to explore how community colleges are not just places of learning but hubs of opportunity and transformation.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01 ]:
Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts. Brought to you by NASPA, we curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed professionals wherever you happen to be. This is season 12, continuing our journey through the past, present, and future of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton, sheherhers, your essay voices from the field host. Welcome back, SA Voices. Chris and I have just gotten back to our respective homes after spending some amazing time with you in New Orleans for the annual conference. Like many years before, we were able to capture some live recordings of the podcast while we were there, and in particular this year, a few episodes live in front of some of you. So thank you so much if you were able to make space in your annual conference schedule to come see us.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:52 ]:
The first episode we're going to bring you is with doctor Betty Simmons who won this year's Fred Turner award for outstanding service. Now this recording was captured live, so the audio quality may not be up to our usual standards, but I promise you that the recording and the conversation itself is incredibly rich. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. Simmons. Betty is a distinguished leader in higher education and student affairs, recognized nationally as a NASPA foundation pillar of the profession, and regionally with several distinguished community college leadership awards. Betty has dedicated her career to advancing care, engagement, student success, and leadership development predominantly in community colleges. She retired from County College of Morris in 2022 where she spent forty two years advancing in various student affairs positions, ending as the VPSA overseeing initiatives focused on enhancing student development, student engagement, wellness, and retention. She's known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to fostering supportive and inclusive environments among students, student affairs professionals, faculty, and academic administrators. Throughout her career, she's implemented impactful programs that address critical student needs, including academic support centers, wellness centers, and basic needs resources.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:57 ]:
Her expertise spans various areas of enrollment student services, student support services, and student engagement, all in the community college environment. As a respected mentor, Betty has guided countless student affairs professionals identifying and implementing effective and efficient roles and organizational structures, advocating for innovative approaches to developing strong student affairs professionals. Betty holds a doctorate in higher ed from Seton Hall University. She frequently serves as a community college and student affairs consultant on topics ranging from student affairs assessment, leadership development, and organizational management, as well as an accreditation evaluator. Betty resides in New Jersey with her partner. Now in retirement, she's found more time for volunteering in her community, traveling, especially cruising, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:39 ]:
Betty, welcome to SA Voice News. How are you? 

Dr. Bette Simmons
I'm great.

Dr. Jill Creighton
How's your conference?

Dr. Bette Simmons
Exhausting. Yes. Still have a day and a half to go. It's just wonderful now.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:49 ]:
Yes. For our listeners, it is day two of NASA's annual conference. We're here at 08:30 in the morning, so the first session of the day. We see that many of our colleagues, may not have been able to to make it to the sessions this morning, because it was such an eventful evening last night. Last night was also Saint Patrick's Day.

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:03:04 ]:
Yeah.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:06 ]:
Here in New Orleans. And I don't about you, but I accidentally became part of the parade.

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:03:12 ]:
I watched it from a distance

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:13 ]:
Yeah. I was walking back from dinner, and I came right in front of our hotel, and I was, oh, I'm in this. I had to cross the street. Okay. But we're live taking today at the conference and celebrating your new award With NASPA. But congratulations

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:03:26 ]:
Thank you so very much.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:28 ]:
Awards are here this afternoon. Excited to celebrate you.

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:03:32 ]:
Thank you. Among many of our fellow award winners here.

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:03:34 ]:
So I'm a little. Okay. Very excited. Thank you.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:37 ]:
But as we talk about your story today, the first question we always like to ask is, how did you get to your current seat? Now we know that you are in in retirement alone. You've had a forty two year career in student affairs, and so we'd love to hear that journey.

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:03:49 ]:
Sure. I'll make a quick story because it could be a mom's story, but to finish my undergraduate education, I had a branch of teaching assistantship to go to Harrison State University. And over the summer, I had a conversation with my father who was a high school guy in sweater. And it was tenfold because I wasn't a % sure that that's what I wanted to do. My undergraduate degree is in foreign language, Spanish and French. And I knew that I didn't wanna teach and I didn't wanna work for the government. But I didn't know what I'm allowed to do.

Dr. Bette Simmons [00:04:24 ]:
So talking with my gal, it's a question of, well, what do you wanna do? And I didn't have an answer to that. So by the end of the summer, we made a decision, my dad and I, with his help, that I'm most important girl in this country and pursue something that I wasn't passionate about. Passion is really and has all this been important to me. So I stayed in my community. I worked for a key organization for a short style. And then Mark Feller, who was an adviser board at Campbell College of Morris in New Jersey,