EICC leader: ‘You have to think about other people’

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.

When it comes to making changes, creating quality learning environments – and quality partnerships –  could top the list for Ms. Williams. Another top-of-the-list task for the new EICC leader is getting to know the community. “Through strategic, future-focused planning, my vision is to build upon the college’s existing foundation to cultivate an encouraging, innovative and collaborative culture. My first task will be learning about our employees, students, campuses and communities in which we serve,” she recently said in a statement from the district. As part of getting to know the Quad Cities – and letting the community get to know her – a series of receptions have been scheduled. They are:

• 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.

The chancellor added that forming partnerships with businesses will help increase enrollment at EICC, help local businesses and help keep students in the community after graduation. “This really does matter. This will help build the relationships we need,” she added. Part of the work of building relationships will be working with local businesses to teach skills needed in the community, and showing how EICC graduates will benefit the businesses, Ms. Williams said. In addition, the new chancellor has been pushing a list of “professional standards” in her meetings with EICC faculty, staff and administrators. Those standards, which are even listed on a mousepad in her office, include: We prioritize students; We act with integrity; We embrace and support diversity, inclusion and equity in our practices; We collaborate and work together in partnerships, and more. The new chancellor will likely add another standard to that list:  “You have to think about other people.” 

Dr. Sonya Williams: At a Glance

Age: 56 Education: B.S. degree in zoology and Ph.D in anatomical sciences and cell biology/neurosciences. Her postdoctoral training includes three years at the Yale School of Medicine, where she studied neurobiology, reproduction and immunology. Experience: She served as vice president of education and chief academic officer at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. Her other experience includes teaching and research roles for Joliet Junior College, Oklahoma City Community College, Langston University and Yale University School of Medicine. Military: She was a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1988 to 1992, and served as section commander and information management officer for three squadrons. She also received service medals for Operation Desert Shield and Storm War campaigns. Family: Husband: Gary A. Williams. Children: sons Garrett, age 25, and Gaoshua, 23, and his wife, Kaylee; daughter Shamira, 39; and grandchildren: Ny’Jon, 14; Jordyn, 13; and Zaire, age 15 months. Background: She began working at EICC in early August following the retirement of Don Doucette. She was appointed EICC’s eighth chancellor in June after an extensive national search. When introduced as the next chancellor by Robert Gallagher, EICC Board of Trustees president, he said this about her: “With a proven commitment to student success and more than 25 years of progressive leadership roles in higher education, we believe she is especially suited to lead Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. We are excited to have Dr. Williams agree to join us here at THE Community’s College and look forward to facing the challenges of the future with her at the helm.”