“Call Me Joi” – Open Communication with Students, Faculty, and Staff is a Priority for Oakton’s New President

(August 10, 2015) President Joianne Smith believes fostering and strengthening relationships within the College starts at the top.

An example of this belief is “Pasta with the President,” a monthly casual luncheon that encourages students to meet face-to-face with Smith in order to ask questions and share experiences, joys, and frustrations.

“Students are our North Star and the reason we’re here,” said Smith, who started as president on July 1. “I love our students and want to know what’s on their minds. It’s important for me to receive feedback from our students – good or bad – to find which areas can be improved.”

Students were unsure what to expect at Pasta with the President.

“At first, I thought the event was just going to involve socializing with other students,” said Evelyn Ofeimun, a student worker in the Oakton Educational Foundation Office. “But (Smith) really wanted to get our viewpoints, and being heard shows how much she values what we have to say. I also was impressed with how down to earth she is – as she insisted we address her by her first name. The luncheon was a fun and friendly atmosphere that left me feeling inspired.”

In addition to meeting regularly with students, Smith has also established “Coffee and Conversation with the President,” a monthly open forum for faculty, staff, and administrators. Attendees have found these sessions beneficial as well.

“It’s great meeting in a situation like this,” said Manager of Media Services John Curtis at the forum on July 8. “I’m learning lots of things I never knew before about the College. I think it’s a wonderful idea to bring departments together which normally don’t interact with each other.”

Smith plans on making such forums a monthly staple. “I’ve been at the College 13 years, and now I’m in a different role where it’s more important to listen,” said Smith, who has also spent her first month as president meeting one-on-one with trustees and reaching out to union leaders. “I need to be able to understand things from various aspects and perspectives.”

As president, Smith knows that her work is just beginning. “In the future, I plan to reach out to external parties such as superintendents of high schools, business leaders, and local legislators,” she said.

A licensed clinical psychologist who concentrated in counseling and psychology and is the College’s former vice president of Student Affairs, it is a natural progression for the new president to lead by listening. Her long-term goals include working on the College’s strategic and master plans as well as getting the College ready for reaccreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.