The Flywire

+trendsetter BUILDING NEW CONNECTIONS text Deena Campbell photo Frank Benjamin Bringing broad community and national experience mixed with a splash of Southern hospitality, newly appointed President Dr. Carolane Williams hopes to take Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) to a new level. "The college is ready for consistency and stability. This college was in dire need of stable leadership and I just want to get back on track of its history and build on its foundation," said Williams. Baltimore City Community College, founded in 1947, now offers 34 degree and 25 certificate programs. The college currently serves nearly 19,000 students every year of which 90% are minority students. In addition to working with the males,Williams has visions of helping middle school and high school-aged students develop a passion for learning and prepare them for an educational future through development of an Upward Bound program. "For me, success is about perseverance and being persistent.Young people give up too fast "When trying to reach the young, it's about and don't keep their eyes on the prize," said mentoring and connecting; you can't just give Williams. a prescription. It's a connection and a relationKeeping a keen eye on the school's success, ship," commented Williams. But Williams, the first woman to lead the college in its history, isn't solely building success from the school's foundation, she has the know-how that makes her more than adept for the position. Williams has many plans including further As a new President, Williams is looking fordevelopment of a refugee program that helps ward to reaching out into communities with students who are new to the country. One the hopes that neighborhoods will respond day, she hopes to expand the campus and have to the need for support, because as the old more presence on the east side of Baltimore African proverb says,"It takes a village to raise Over the past 20 years, Williams has held City. But today her main aim is to increase the a child." leadership positions of increasing responsibil- graduation rate of African American males. "We all [colleges and communities] need to ity in community colleges around the world. "Because our males aren't completing college, get involved and step up to the plate of saving From serving as Provost of Broward a few professors and I are spearheading a these kids lives," Williams added."Baltimore Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, program that's only taught by African American has a lot to offer in terms of art and culture, to working with clients from the Pan American male teachers," said Williams. "It's going to be and it's high time we take advantage of that University of Cuenca in Ecuador, Williams is geared to retaining our male [students] and and stop losing our kids to drugs and an experienced administrator with extensive keeping them eager to learn and finish their prison." schooling." work experience. The Flywire  13 

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