Recently the board had the great pleasure of sitting down with newly named President of Mercer County Community College, Dr. Deborah Preston. Preston is the 7th president in the school’s history.
When did you know you wanted to be a professor and an administrator?
I knew I wanted to be a professor when I taught my first college class at age 21. I was working on a master’s degree in English while I tried to decide whether to continue my studies in theater, which was my bachelor’s degree. After about two weeks of teaching a freshman writing course, I realized that I loved working with students and was drawn to academic life.
My interest in being an administrator really solidified when my mentor, my Ph.D. advisor, pointed out to me that “there is more than one way to change the world.” As much as I enjoyed teaching, I became convinced that I could have a greater positive impact as an academic leader.
As you leave Raritan Valley Community College what are some accomplishments are you most proud of?
My work with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was very important to me at RVCC and will continue to be at MCCC. I launched an initiative called Access2Success, which aimed to remove barriers and close the equity gap for students of color, low-income students, and first-generation students through support services, inclusive teaching, strategic faculty hiring, and professional development for everyone on campus. While at RVCC I began a three-year term as an appointee to the American Association of Community College’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
I am also proud of a partnership we developed with LabCorp, whereby they provided the start-up funds for RVCC to begin a Medical Lab Technician program to fulfill a growing need in the industry.
What about MCCC drew you to this position?
When I did my research, I heard over and over that the MCCC community was filled with smart, caring people who put the needs of students first. I also learned that the external community is deeply invested in the success of the College and that there is a tremendous opportunity for growth and partnerships at both campuses, especially at the James Kerney Campus
What’s your philosophy for leading a college?
The only good reason to lead a college, in my opinion, is to try to make the world a better place. To me, this means putting the needs of the students and the community first and empowering faculty, staff, and administrators to do their best work.
A college president should be a servant leader who leads from a place of compassion and optimism. I also believe that planning and change management is key to the strategic implementation of any initiative.
What are your goals during your first year at MCCC?
I look forward to guiding the College through a successful reaccreditation visit in April 2023. With the help of the leadership team and colleagues across the College, I will be exploring short-term and long-term solutions to the national enrollment decline that is affecting MCCC as well as many other community colleges. I am also excited about opportunities to bolster programming at the James Kerney Campus, and I am eager to collaborate with the College community to ensure that Mercer is a place where people love to study and work.
What specific vision do you have for the Trenton Campus?
The James Kerney Campus should be a hub for Trenton, providing education, training, community services, economic development, and more. I have already begun meeting with the community, business, and elected leaders to understand the wants and needs of the students and residents so that we can find ways to fulfill those needs through grants, partnerships, and innovation.
What advice do you have for graduates entering the job market?
Make sure that you have some training and/or education before you begin a career in earnest; that credential could be anything from a certificate that takes six weeks to a degree that takes four years to complete. Don’t be surprised if you need to come back to school to learn new skills, because changes in technology make this a reality for almost every kind of job. Finally, keep in mind your long-term goals even as you start your career.
What objects will you bring into your new office?
Pictures of my family. Two worn Shakespeare movie posters that I have been moving from office to office since I was a junior faculty member. Books. A tapestry I bought in India while I was riding an elephant.