CoA Music Professor, Department Co-Chair, and President of Academic Senate Foundation for California Community Colleges Silvester Carl Henderson was featured this month in Intelligent HQ’s Higher ED Thought Leadership Series.This thoughtful interview covered the breadth of Professor Henderson's career in higher education, including his numerous professional accomplishments and awards.

When asked by interviewer Emad Rahim “what role does higher education play in responding to a global pandemic like COVID-19 and in supporting social justice causes like Black Lives Matter?” Professor Henderson responded: “Higher Education should be the Leading Agent in addressing all social matters. It is the responsibility of the institution to develop intellectual responses and solutions for their campus communities, regarding all system learning and information barriers. Institutions must begin to look at their staff (all groups) and ensure that Diversity and Inclusion are actualized!”

To prospective leaders in higher education, he offered the following recommendations:

· First of all, Teach First!
· Learn the impact and benefit of instruction.
· Develop knowledge regarding Instructional Pedagogy.
· Learn Technology!
· My strong advice is to be different!
· Stop listening to the status quo. You are who you listen to!
· Develop great skills in Professional Management and Cultural Support!
· Demonstrate Fiscal Management Skills.
· Develop Skills in Fund Raising!
· Treat All Staff Equally!
· Do not support Academy Discrimination!
· Study Great Faith Based Leaders. Higher Education is like a Church minus Theology!
· Seek to serve, not to be served.
· Set Clear Standards.
· Stay Innovative and Creative.
· Love Faculty, Staff and Students.
· Get involved in your community!
· Know your High School Leaders, Media and Business Professionals.
· LOVE EVERYBODY!
· Research and read about the institution of Higher Education!

You can read the full interview online here

This article is an excerpt from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Nathaniel Jones III, College of Alameda President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.