On July 1, 2021, Dr. Kathleen Plinske became the President of Valencia College. After one year, and as Valencia classes prepare to open for the fall on Monday, Aug. 22, Plinske reflected on her journey and progress at Valencia College, and how she continues to position the school as an institution where all can learn without boundaries.
Osceola News-Gazette: Describe your history at Valencia.
Dr. Plinske: In October 2009, I was named the Interim President of McHenry County College, after several college positions. I was 29 at the time. n I attended a finishing school called Lead for Innovations Executive Leadership Institute in Phoenix. I went to this training, and one of the faculty members who was presenting was Dr. Sandy Shugart. He shared Valencia’s big ideas that anyone can learn anything under the right conditions. And I remembered sitting in that workshop thinking, “I wonder what it would be like to work in a place like that.” As I went home to Illinois, I thought about what was next for me, and found a job posting to be a provost of the Osceola Campus at Valencia.
To be honest, I’d never heard of Osceola County. I applied thinking I had no chance. I was selected for first round interviews, then I had a semifinalist interview in person, then a finalist interview in person. I remember the finalist interview, I met with Dr. Shugart. We were able to talk about student learning, and my passion for community colleges, and why I was so interested in joining Valencia. In July 2010, I became provost of the Osceola Campus. n we opened the Lake Nona Campus and Poinciana campuses. In July 2018, I started as Executive Vice President and Provost of the entire district. And in July of 2021, I became the President of Valencia College.
ONG: What have been highlights in your first year?
KP: The commencement was a special day because we haven’t had a commencement in several years. Because it was our first one in person, it was totally unclear to me what students would be comfortable doing post-COVID. In my speech I said, “Post-COVID world, I’m not sure how we’re going to do this. But here’s what I’m willing to do. I’m willing to do a fist bump, a handshake, a socially distanced wave, or a hug.” I couldn’t believe the number of hugs from students I haven’t met before. But there was so much emotion in that moment.
I would also say that it has been a joy to get to know the members of our Board of Trustees. They are incredible professionals in our community. We have such a variety and diversity of experiences that are represented in our board. They spend and invest a lot of time with us and the college. They are so passionate about our mission and the students. It has been a delight to get to know them, and their experiences.
ONG: What do you have to say to the students at Valencia College?
KP: The first thing I would say is that it’s important to me that our students know we believe in them, and that we believe that everyone is college material, and that everyone is welcomed at Valencia. A lot of times I hear from our students is that they’ve been told that they are not good enough for college, or maybe they are not college material. That’s one of our responsibilities is helping our students see the unlimited potential that student lies within, and to help our students uncover the gifts they bring to Valencia and develop and nurture those gifts and passions. We help our students find ultimately the difference they want to make in the world and support them in that journey.
It’s also important to me that our students know that Valencia is a way to earn a college degree without going into debt. A lot of our students and their families have come to believe that going to college is synonymous with debt. One-third of students at Valencia pay nothing out of pocket. There are so many news stories about the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt that students take, that doesn’t have to be everyone’s story. It’s important to me that both current and potential students know.
ONG: How would you describe your legacy?
KP: One is about ensuring that we are significantly expanding access to higher education. I feel that there’s a responsibility based on the opportunities that were presented to me in my life. I’m a first-generation college graduate. I received a full ride scholarship to go to college. That was such an incredible gift and blessing. Who would I be if I don’t try to create those opportunities for other students?
The other piece of it is not only rewriting the script on who goes to college, but also changing the trajectory of student outcomes. We’re working to be the first community college in the United States that does not see the disparities in student outcomes. For me, that’s an important responsibility not only for the benefits it would have in Central Florida, but to serve as a role model to colleges and universities across the country that this can be done. And to normalize not seeing disparities in things like graduation rates, success after transfer, in placement after graduation, and in salaries. We are working to serve as a beacon of hope not just for Central Florida, but the entire nation.
