Sharper focus on “One System” and Culture of Care

In addition to its major focus on the new VCCS Strategic Plan, this summer's Chancellor's Retreat, titled "Igniting Opportunity: Excellence at Scale," provided a platform to spotlight Dr. Dore's vision for "One System" and promote a Culture of Care on Virginia's community college campuses. 250 community college leaders from across system turned out for the event in Roanoke August 8-9.

"Throughout the year, you may have heard me talk about operating as 'One System,' said Dore. "But how do we achieve this mindset of unity and collaboration? First, we must center everything we do on our learners, ensuring a high-quality and consistent experience across all 23 colleges. This means whether a student enrolls at a small or large college, a rural or urban college, they should have access to the full breadth of our programs and receive the highest level of excellence in education and support."

"Second, we should seek opportunities for greater effectiveness and efficiency as a system, reducing replication and unnecessary expenditures without compromising the student experience. This includes identifying high-value operational processes that can be implemented consistently across all our colleges to improve service and support and increase efficiency."

"Some things - such as Transfer VA and shared distance learning - embody 'One System' already - and we do them well. Others will be multi-year projects, requiring sustained effort and commitment. But all of them will contribute to our collective success and our ability to serve our students better," Dore added.

A panel of VCCS students and alumni helped to put a human face on another of Dr. Dore's priorities: creating a Culture of Care on our campuses across Virginia. CVCC student Ana Leng noted, "Sometimes, even small gestures by faculty or staff make an enormous difference in helping students feel welcome."

"You have absolutely no idea the power of faculty comments or gestures to make a student's day," said Danville Community College alumnus Eben Leigh. Leigh also said students benefit and grow when they're encouraged to take on leadership roles on campus. "Sometimes, we don't see our own potential until someone else does," he said.

VWCC student and military veteran David Kasperski echoed the sentiment, saying, "When students feel like they're really a part of a community, they'll be more successful."

NRCC student Andrew Moore urged VCCS leaders to make sure to thank and recognize faculty and staff members who go out of their way to help students navigate the often-intimidating processes of higher education. "These folks deserve recognition," said Moore.

"Creating a Culture of Care is not just about solving immediate problems - it's about creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond our campuses," said Dr. Dore. "It's about recognizing that every interaction, every gesture of support, has the potential to change a life."

"This is the culture we want to foster across all our colleges. It's about every employee, regardless of their role, being invested in student success and belonging. From the admissions office to the classroom, from the financial aid department to the career center, from the IT department to our Facilities staff, every possible point of contact should reflect this commitment to care."

Dr. Dore's keynote speech at this year's Chancellor's Retreat was videotaped and you can view the video or read the text of the speech here.

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