Columbia State President Authors Chapter in New Book

Columbia State Community College President Dr. Janet F. Smith authored a chapter in the recently published American Council on Education Series on Higher Education book Out In Front: The College President as the Face of the Institution. The book provides college and university presidents - new as well as the aspiring - with insight on how to be the face of a public institution.

Smith was one of 11 contributors, including William G. Durden (president, Dickinson College), Thomas K. Harden (president, Clayton State University in Georgia), Peyton R. Helm (president, Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania), Dale T. Knobel (Dennison University in Ohio), Susan S. Meredith (Hutton & Meredith, LLC), Thomas C. Meredith (commissioner of higher education for the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning), S. Georgia Nugent (president, Kenyon College), Daniel S. Papp (Kennesaw State University in Georgia), Andrew Scibelli (president, Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts) and Lawrence V. Weill (president, Gordon College in Georgia) - the editor of the book.

The book's many topics/chapters include: the role of the president's family, relationships with parents, alumni, fundraising, senior staff, faculty, the board, system, community, media, unions, and the chapter Smith authored - "The President-Student Connection."

"I'm honored to be published with many colleagues from around the county," said Smith, whose chapter focused on the importance of presidents building quality relationships with students, and ways to do so. "I hope that my contributions will help educational leaders as they seek to know and understand their student body, while creating an environment centered around student learning, with ethics, integrity, respect, student success and caring as priorities."

"This book covers it all, from the viewpoint of those who have been there," said Clifford M. Brock, president, Barstow Community College District, California. "Every new (and some old) presidents should read it and keep it handy on the shelf."

"Presidents face very complicated decisions every day," said Michael B. McCall, president, Kentucky Community and Technical College System. "The chapters in this book are written about the intricacies they must address from a very practical perspective by expert professionals. This is a must read for both the seasoned president as well as those who aspire to be a college president."