281: A Deficit to Asset Based Mindset - with Dr. Robert Vela, President, San Antonio College

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #87.  In this episode, sponsored by the Alliance for Innovation & Transformation (AFIT) and recorded at the AFIT Summer Institute 2021, we welcome Dr. Robert Vela, President, San Antonio College!  San Antonio College was the recipient of the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence AND they received a 15M gift from Makenzie Scott shortly after receiving the award.  Simply put, Robert and the team are having a record year.  In this conversation, Robert talks about shifting from a deficit mindset to an asset-based mindset as a foundation for transformation innovation, and change.  He discusses balancing this unrestricted 15M gift and serving students with excellence despite covid challenges.  SAC is a trailblazer within higher education and this is a must-listen episode!

Robert Vela, Ed.D. currently serves as the 12th President of San Antonio College in San Antonio, Texas. With more than 20 years in higher education administration, Dr. Vela's personal philosophy is grounded in servant leadership, which is evident in his involvement with numerous professional organizations.  He serves as President of  the National Community College Hispanic Council, American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors and the Challenger Center’s National Board. His honors include the 2015 Distinguished Alumni from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, 2008 National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award in Teaching, Leadership and Learning in 2007, and the Javelina Emotional Intelligence Program Award by the American College Personnel Association in 2003

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