Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.
Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.
At Origins of Success, we believe you possess everything you need for a successful career and life. The origin of your success originates within you. Our unique services empower you to unlock your true potential and purpose and realize the life you’ve always dreamed of having. Take charge of your destiny today!
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.
The future belongs to those who believe in themselves.
The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.
Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
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The Origins of Success logo depicts a nautilus. Nautiluses have been in existence for hundreds of millions of years. They have survived five mass extinctions—all unfazed. While the nautilus cephalopod and humans are vastly different organisms, I selected the nautilus shell as a logo because I believe that there are comparisons between the nautilus’s remarkable ability to thrive by continuing its growth and how we, as humans, also thrive through continual growth, adaptability, learning from our past, self-development, and balance.
Continual Growth
– Nautilus: Nautiluses are known for their unique method of growth. They have a spiral shell with internal chambers. As the nautilus grows, it creates new, larger chambers, leaving the smaller, older ones behind. This adaptation allows them to maintain buoyancy at different stages of their life.
– Humans: Like the nautilus, humans also have the capacity for continual growth throughout their lives. Whether it’s acquiring new skills, gaining knowledge, or developing emotionally, humans can adapt and expand their capabilities over time.
Adaptability
– Nautilus: The nautilus adjusts to its changing needs by creating new chambers in its shell. This adaptability is crucial for its survival, allowing it to navigate different depths in the ocean.
– Humans: Personal growth often involves adapting to changing circumstances. Humans who seek improvement must be adaptable, open to learning new things, and adjusting their perspectives to overcome challenges.
Learning from the Past
– Nautilus: The abandoned chambers in the nautilus shell serve as a record of its past growth. Each chamber represents a stage in its life, and the nautilus can learn from its history.
– Humans: Reflecting on past experiences is integral to personal growth. Learning from successes and failures helps humans make informed decisions and improve their future outcomes.
Self-Development
– Nautilus: The nautilus doesn’t stop growing until the end of its life. It actively engages in self-development by creating new chambers, allowing it to remain buoyant and survive in different environments.
– Humans: Similarly, individuals who seek personal growth are on a continuous journey of self-development. Whether through education, skill-building, or personal experiences, humans strive to become better versions of themselves throughout their lives.
Balance
– Nautilus: The nautilus maintains buoyancy and balance by adjusting its shell’s structure. This equilibrium is crucial for its survival.
– Humans: Achieving balance in various aspects of life, such as work and personal life, is a common goal for those seeking personal growth. Balancing different facets contributes to overall well-being and success.
Like the nautilus, you, too, can change, evolve, and thrive. Your origin of success already lies within you. Like the nautilus, you can take charge of your destiny today and move from the old to the new!
Education
2001 Ed.D., University of North Texas-Denton, TX
Major: Applied Technology, Training & Development
Minor: Computer Education & Cognitive Systems, Distance LearningEmphasis
Dissertation Title: The Effect of Psychological Type, Economic Status, and Minority Classification on the Pass/Fail Rates of Vocational Nursing Students
1989 M.Ed., Midwestern State University-Wichita Falls, TX
Major: Counseling
1984 B.A., Midwestern State University-Wichita Falls, TX
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Professional Licensure and Certification
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Professional Life Coach
Professional Experience
2016-Present President, Kilgore College (KC), TX
2022-2023 Special Advisor to the Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board(THECB), TX
2011-2016 President, Stanly Community College (SCC), NC
2008-2011 Vice-President of Student Learning and Success, Guilford Technical Community College(GTCC), NC
Teaching Experience2013-2021 Wingate University, Ballantyne, NC-Ed.D. Program in Community College Leadership,
Teaching/Learning & Student Success and Student Services
2009-2011 Guilford Technical Community College, NC–Introduction to Human Service Technology
2008 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX-Graduate, Communication Skills for HumanResource Development
2003-2004 University of North Texas, Denton, TX-Graduate and Undergraduate-Curriculum Design,Advanced
Facilitation Strategies and Leadership
Awards/Honors/Appointments
2022 Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction
2021 Commission on Community College Finance-Appointee of Texas Speaker Dade Phelan
2018 Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumnus, Midwestern State University
2016 Stanly Community College-Faculty Innovation Center Naming Dedication
2006 Tom Natale’ Distinguished Leadership Award
2006 Distinguished Alumna West College of Education, Midwestern State University
1999 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Select Professional Activities
2004-Present Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Appeals Committee Member 2023-2025; Board of Directors Executive Committee 2018-2020; Boardof Directors 2015-2020; Served as peer evaluator on 12 Onsite Committees (Chaired 5) and 1 OffsiteCommittee
2016-Present Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Chair, Chair Elect, Legislative Committee Chair
2020-2023 National Center for Inquiry and Improvement Rural Leader Learning Community2022–Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board College Needs & Opportunities Steering Committee
2021-2022 Texas 2036 Higher Education Finance Simulator Advisory Group
2017-2020 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Community and Technical College Leadership Council
Select Workshop/Conference Presentations/Briefs
2023 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference-Panelist-Texas Commission on Community College Finance-Denver, CO
2023 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference-Presenter-Scaling 8-Week
Terms for Institutional Transformation-Denver, CO
2023 Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Board of Trustee Institute-Presentation-8-Week
Course Journey-Lakeway, TX
2022 Texas Lyceum-Panelist-Educating a Well-Rounded and Reliable Workforce-Longview, TX
2022 Educate Texas Fall Policy Convening-Panelist-Regional Workforce Alignment: Report from Members of the Texas Community College Finance Commission-Houston, TX
2022 Kilgore Chamber of Commerce Women in Business-Panelist-Lessons Learned from Women
Who Have Broken the Glass Ceiling-Kilgore, TX
2022 Community College Association of Texas Trustees Annual Meeting-Panelist-K-12 Partnerships and Pathways, Houston, TX
2022 Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Board of Trustees Institute-Panelist-Texas Commission on Community College Finance-San Antonio, TX
2021 National Center for Inquiry and Improvement-Rural Community College Leader Series
Acting Boldly to Build Financial Solvency View the PDF2021 Texas Guided Pathways Conference Presentation–Expanding Horizons to Support Students Who
Never Knew They Had a Choice-Dallas, TX
2021 Texas Economic Development Connection–Panelist-Developing Your Texas Workforce-Webinar
2021 Grantmakers for Education Conference Panelist–New Insights to Advance an Equity Agenda in Higher Education and Postsecondary Pathways-Webinar
2021 Aspen Institute College Excellence Program National Symposium Panelist–Guided Pathways-Webinar
2023, 2021, 2017 E4 Leadership Kilgore Presenter-Myers Briggs Type Indicator Workshop-Gilmer, TX
2021 Grantmakers for Education Panelist–Supporting Rural Communities: Emerging Lessons Learned & Opportunities for the Future Webinar