It all began on a campus of trailers ...

My father, grandfather, and great grandfather had university degrees.

 My mother returned to college to earn first a BA and then an MA after raising six children.  So, being the youngest daughter of an ambitious Irish American family, I decided to be "different" (it was the thing to do in the 1960's) and I skipped college and went straight to work.  OK, so that wasn't my best decision.

However, by the time I realized that I wanted an education, I was married to a wonderful man (now for 25 years) and didn't feel I could pursue a "traditional" university degree away from home. So, off I went to a brand new school, Lincoln Land Community College, which was just a collection of trailer-classrooms parked on an asphalt parking lot.  And, my life was changed forever.

A returning student, and a bit strong-willed, I struggled to understand the "process" of acquiring an education. But, when I was discouraged or wanted to quit, there was always a faculty member or advisor who encouraged me to give it "just one more semester."  I owe a tremendous debt to my community college.  One which it is now my privilege to repay in a small way.

 "I owe a tremendous debt to my community college..."

Finishing an Associate in Arts degree at LLCC, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from the University of Illinois, I returned to LLCC as a faculty member.  When my husband relocated to St. Louis, I was fortunate enough to teach with the St. Louis CCD, at the Meramac campus. I regularly saw myself in the wary eyes of my "first semester" students.  And, as my experience grew, I began to notice the many and varied students, all with their own stories, working hard to build a future for themselves and their families.

Returning to Springfield in 1986 and itching to try my entrepreneurial wings, I opened my first business in an 8' by 10' office, didn't know if I'd be able to "make rent" and returned to LLCC as an adjunct faculty member to cover expenses.  Once again, LLCC was helping me to realize a dream. When asked to serve on the presidential search committee for LLCC, and being an established executive recruiter by that time, I looked on it as a public service opportunity. Little did I realize the experience would so profoundly alter my professional course.

Through serving on the search committee, I met Liz Rocklin, ACCT Director of Board Services. And, with her help and the help of countless others, I repositioned The Pauly Group from a regional financial industry recruiting firm into a national community  and technical college search consulting organization. And my first client? LLCC.  That was in 1992.

"We're making a difference in a way
I never would have dreamt possible."

Today, Pauly Group, Inc. is a strong and growing group of academic professionals, spread all across the country, who work hard to assist community and technical college CEO's identify, recruit, interview, reference, and hire strong, diversified academic leaders for their schools. We're making a difference in a way I never would have dreamt possible.

And the pivotal point in my life?  The day I stepped onto the LLCC campus.

As I assist in the "changing of the guard" of the nation's community and technical colleges, I marvel at all the changes in the community college movement. Brick and mortar have replaced the trailers; computers have replaced printed textbooks; and distance learning has brought the world our doorstep.

But, the one thing that has not changed is the caring and commitment to each and every student who steps or logs onto a local community college campus. Daily, I talk to CEO's, campus search committee members, and candidates who remain dedicated and committed to advancing the lives and dreams of the students they serve.

"...the future looks very bright, indeed..."

It's a wonderful time to be involved with community colleges.  As we restaff for the next generation of community college leaders and students, the future looks very bright, indeed. We're at the forefront of a great nation's educational change and rebirth.

And, it is a personal privilege to work within this wonderful community of smart, energetic, entrepreneurial people who have a heart for the student and a strong vision of the future.

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