The Public Policy Leadership Speaker Series invited St. Petersburg College President Dr. Tonjua Williams to its bi-annual meeting. Williams gave the keynote speech on Oct. 17 regarding leadership, SPC, and the Pinellas County community.
In her talk to students, faculty and staff, and invited guests, Dr. Williams focused on the importance of SPC’s partnerships. This included those with the local workforce community, the Pinellas County community, and the College’s internal community. She emphasized that SPC makes lives and futures better.
“Our students want to change their lives; improve their lives,” she said. “That’s why they’re here.”
Williams discussed SPC’s efforts regarding the College’s three pillars: Academic Excellence, Economic Mobility and Community Engagement. First, she emphasized academic excellence, noting that it can only happen with a strong faculty, student support and the educational ecosystem that SPC is forming with Pinellas County Schools and the University of South Florida.
“We have to make sure that there are no gaps between k-12 schools, SPC and USF,” she said. “That’s a lot of work.”
SPC and Williams want to make sure that students not only graduate but also get jobs. This point emphasizes SPC’s economic mobility mission.
“We want to make sure our graduate, who has a diploma on the wall that says St. Petersburg College, can make a good living,” she said.
According to Williams, community engagement factors in at the regional level as well as right at home on all of the campuses at the college. It involves helping our students as much as it does helping the community.
“Did you know we have homeless students ?” Williams asked the rapt crowd. “Did you know we have hungry students? Internal community is just as important as external.”
Williams noted that SPC must form partnerships in the community, as well, including commitments with the local workforce, which drive SPC’s curriculum and partnerships with community resources that help students with much-needed resources.
“There are plenty of undereducated people in this county,” Williams said. “Our county will not move forward if we don’t address that. So, we have to come together and partner.”
The crowd gave Williams’ speech a standing ovation. She followed up with a question-and-answer session. Several students took the opportunity to speak and ask questions about student involvement on campuses, support for struggling demographics and reflections on her accomplishments so far as SPC President. Public Policy and Administration Program Director Jeff Kronschnabl said he received a lot of positive feedback regarding Dr. Williams’ presentation.
“Students were engaged in conversations with her before, during and after her presentation, and the fact that she stayed until the very last student had an opportunity to speak with her was a clear testament to the collaborative leadership she spoke about during her presentation,” Kronschnabl said.