Helping Everyone Succeed

Almost everyone can succeed as long as we help them find their niche,” said Carol Ballantyne (MA ’76/PhD ’85), president of Garden City Community College. Formerly a community college student herself, Ballantyne sees institutions like the one she leads in Kansas opening doors for transfer students, individuals who want to finish their high school studies, and lifelong learners of all ages.

People find their way, she’s discovered, when they receive the individual attention community colleges make possible. “The time has passed when learning came from orators,” she maintains. “We’re now living and working in the era when each person must be involved in his or her own process of learning.”

Such path finding requires professional, dedicated instructors. For this reason, faculty development and morale are one of Ballantyne’s greatest priorities. “Teaching is a great art,” she said. “Keeping tuition in reach, classes small, and curriculum current helps faculty reach all students and excite them.”

Accomplishing this is difficult when resources in education are declining. “Ironically, more people are taking advantage of higher education than ever before,” Ballantyne said, “so an educational leader needs to find resources beyond traditional taxes and tuition.”

In other words, community colleges themselves must find their niche.

Ballantyne advocates partnerships with local businesses, industries, and cultural enrichment providers. Such connections not only provide an alternative means of funding, they give students an opportunity to contribute to their community. Ballantyne inherited this concept of local involvement from her father, Selby A. Ballantyne (PhD ’66), who founded Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “My father was a visionary,” she said. “He really believed that educational access through lifelong learning is an essential element in a community’s social and economic growth.”

Ballantyne has made effective connections in the community, strengthening and expanding on a number of cooperative efforts. Dr. Milt Pippenger, USD 457 superintendent of schools, says the partnership that has formed between the community college and his district has really strengthened both of their programs. “Dr. Ballantyne is an extremely knowledgeable and strong community and educational leader,” he said. “When she puts her mind to it, things happen.”

Clayton Tatro, dean of Learning Services, says Ballantyne’s leadership has had a tremendous impact inside the college as well. “Not only has she moved the college forward with strategic planning, continuing education, and information technology, but she has been instrumental for two new building projects on campus.”

Ballantyne believes her studies at Iowa prepared her to meet such challenges. “My graduate courses helped me understand the K-12 system, the community college system, and the system of higher education,” she said. “Those courses helped solidify my conviction that everyone can succeed.”

Even college presidents. –by Elyse Fields