Q&A: Dawn Lindsay, Glendale Community College's new leader

Dawn Lindsay took over as Glendale Community College president/superintendent on July 1, following the departure of Audre Levy, who left the college after a tense relationship with faculty leaders that many college stakeholders found unproductive.awn Lindsay took over as Glendale Community College president/superintendent on July 1, following the departure of Audre Levy, who left the college after a tense relationship with faculty leaders that many college stakeholders found unproductive.

Levy's leadership style was heavily criticized by faculty leaders and was cited in a report by two independent academic organizations as a major source of division at the college, where employees had enjoyed close relationships with prior executive John Davitt.

Levy had contended that she was focused more on moving the college toward accreditation and improving other standards than on becoming close with faculty leaders.

Since Lindsay has taken over, trustees have frequently acknowledged that any tension that had previously existed has since been a nonissue.

Her main concern now has been to unite the college community in an effort to protect it from state budget cuts.

ZAIN SHAUK: Is the college better off with you at the helm than it was under your predecessor?

DAWN LINDSAY: That is a tough question. The college is better under the helm, I think, of somebody who understands the campus and the culture.

Q: So what was the problem under Audre Levy?

A: She just had a different leadership style. I'm not going to criticize Audre, but this campus does better with people who are more into people than into policy. It's a very caring campus, and that's reflected in what we do with our students; it's reflected in how we work with each other, and it's important that we listen.

Q: How specifically is the college in a better position now?

A: Because I listen. People are important to me, and the students are important to me, and the faculty and staff and administration are important to me. This community's important to me. I live here. My son goes to this college, so I have a very, very vested interest in the success of what we are doing on a personal, as well as a professional level. I think I bring a passion to this job that you have through that kind of linkage.

Q: Why was there a problem between the faculty and administration in the first place?