Sonya Williams just arrived in Davenport in early August and decided to get groceries at the Hy-Vee store on West Locust Street. While patiently waiting in the checkout line, she noticed a woman in another line who needed help. She briefly talked to her, took her over to the deli section of the grocery store […]
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Sonya Williams just arrived in Davenport in early August and decided to get groceries at the Hy-Vee store on West Locust Street.
While patiently waiting in the checkout line, she noticed a woman in another line who needed help. She briefly talked to her, took her over to the deli section of the grocery store and bought her $50 worth of food.
“She told me ‘I didn’t know what I was going to feed my children tonight’ and started crying,” Ms. Williams said. “You have to think about other people.”
Since starting her new job as chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) on Monday, Aug. 8, she has been bringing that philosophy – “you have to think about other people” – to the job as she looks over the district; meets staff, faculty, administrators and students; and considers making changes.
As chancellor, Ms. Williams oversees the operations of the entire EICC district, including Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges. The colleges also deliver services through satellite sites in Maquoketa, Wilton and various locations in Davenport, as well as many area high schools.
While potential big changes might not happen for awhile, there are several smaller changes already in the works. For example, after a brief visit with several students at the Urban Campus, located at 101 W. Third St., Davenport, the new chancellor discussed several moves to help EICC students. Those moves include putting snacks out in some of the commons area, and turning on the large monitors located around the campus to news stations so students can stay informed about current events.
“We have to take care of people. … The goal is to make sure we take care of the human capital,” Ms. Williams said.
Another change may come in the way the community college district promotes itself. During a recent interview with the QCBJ, the new chancellor pointed to some EICC promotional material that has the slogan “you deserve more.” She wants that to change to “we deserve better” to better reflect an all-inclusive philosophy to take care of students, staff and faculty at EICC.
Since starting her new job, the chancellor has had high praise for the many EICC workers who have helped her make the transition to the new job. (She recently pointed out efforts made by Honey Bedell, the EICC chief of staff, and Doris Swanson, executive assistant to the chancellor, in helping her feel welcome in the community.)
The new chancellor has been getting to know the Quad Cities. She has been trying out local restaurants, visited the Figge Art Museum, farmers markets, spas, NorthPark Mall, casino and has taken walks near the Mississippi River with her dog. And people in the community have also helped introduce her to the community by giving her a taste of the Quad Cities. She was recently gifted a box of candy from Lagomarcino’s.
“I’ve been trying to see everything. … I really like taking a stroll by the river,” she said.
Ms. Williams has also been kept busy with a series of meetings with many people at EICC. Some of the new chancellor’s bigger goals may be directed by her list of actions to create a “culture of high aspirations and high expectations.” She said she repeats that list – which she keeps on her phone – often during those recent meetings in the EICC. Some of those items she promotes include:
- Promote a culture that engages members of diverse communities.
- Act as an advocate of education and an ambassador for EICC.
- Be knowledgeable about general EICC services and processes.
- Be responsible to the informational needs and concerns of our constituents.
- Collaborate with colleagues to provide quality learning environments.
- Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 4-6 p.m. at the Scott Community College Student Life Center, 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf.
- Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 4-6 p.m. at the Clinton Community College Library, 1000 Lincoln Blvd.
- Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 4-6 p.m. at the Muscatine Community College Student Center, 152 Colorado St.