Maggie Ruelle, TJC program director of talent development and engagement, served as a panelist at the recent North Texas Community College Consortium (NTCCC) Fall Leadership Conference.
The conference theme, “The Work We Need to Do: Moving from Ideas to Action,” promoted discussions on transformative practices at community colleges. The conference also included a student panel with voices representing a range of student experiences at community colleges. Former TJC student Lainie Lasseter was among the participants.
Ruelle, who is active with NTCCC through her role as a member of the Consortium Leadership and Renewal Academy (CLARA) Advisory Council, shared the strategic approaches TJC has taken to navigate challenges faced by many community colleges throughout the country.
The panel discussion included practices related to policy, process, place, curriculum, communication and culture. One common area of concern across many community colleges is the silo effect -- or division -- between academic and student affairs leadership teams, which can obstruct the educational experience for students.
The collaboration of TJC Academic and Student Affairs areas through a formal organizational structure approach and through uniformed and intentional focus has yielded positive outcomes. Similarly, the relationship between TJC Marketing and Enrollment Management departments has significantly improved services expected by students.
Other topics included the focus on cross-campus partnerships at the College, the benefits of inviting fresh perspectives when evaluating services to students, and the importance of listening to student feedback to ensure that support for students has the desired effect.
“It was an honor to represent TJC and share the College’s innovative approaches to improving student outcomes with colleagues from across North Texas,” Ruelle said. “We are all facing many of the same challenges and it is so beneficial to have the opportunity to share what is – or is not – working and to learn from one another. I am humbled to have had the chance to sit on a panel with outstanding leaders from some of our sister institutions.”
Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC president for branch locations and district provost, said, “Maggie Ruelle is highly admired and respected by faculty and staff at the College, and her expertise with staff and organizational development continues to be recognized at TJC and beyond.”
Ruelle is also an adjunct political science professor at TJC and serves on the TJC Strategic Planning Committee.