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Statement of Administrative Philosophy

Being an administrator in an academic setting means accepting the responsibility that comes with an important role which serves students, faculty, staff, the institution and the community.  Consequently the following shapes my philosophy:

Receptive

An administrator wears many hats and must interact with a host of individuals who bring ideas, concerns, opportunities, and complaints that represent their interest.  As an administrator listening and gleaning significance is most important and adds to relationship building as well as informed action and/or response.

Visionary

Understanding where a program, discipline or the institution is and its internal and external strengths and challenges, prepares an administrator to contribute responsibly.  The objective is not to remain where you are, whether it’s good or bad, but to progress with the times and in some situations lead the progress.

Innovative

Administrators do not have to reinvent the wheel, but they must critically create to ignite energy, enthusiasm, and challenge the most difficult of situations.

Strategic

Assessing, interpreting, defining, organizing, planning, leading, and controlling are central functions of an administrator and the latter actions are completed with great thought, clarity, and solicited engagement.

Collaborative and Inclusive

Acting alone negates the very administrative role one has agreed to uphold in an educational setting that includes thinkers and doers–people well prepared to participate. As an administrator, it is my responsibility to facilitate the greatness around me.

Participatory

Sitting on the sidelines is not an option.  An administrator is always representing someone or something, so engagement is mandatory for not only representation but clarity on the issues at stake.

A Philosophy that has Supported Action

  • Engaged in scholarly activities like a Summer Fulbright in Senegal West Africa; conference presentations at Harvard, in Belgrade Serbia, in Austria, and a host of settings in the United States; and several publications from book review articles to book publications
  • Utilized a spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity to make viable campus contributions that stregthen program awareness, sustainability, and contribution
  • Enhanced leadership competencies by directing a campus leadership development institute and its first annual conference
  • Strengthened diversity competencies via travel to 21 countries to-date, an abroad summer Fulbright, and two international teaching opportunities
  • Collaborated with Vice Presidents over Financial Affairs, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs
  • Developed and supervised campus and community events and programs
  • Supervised over 150 employees
  • Oversaw instruction at multiple campuses, including dual credit courses in high school settings
  • Developed teaching and class schedules
  • Facilitated master syllabi and ILO assessment development
  • Evaluated instructors
  • Mentored new faculty
  • Wrote grants, program reviews, and other internal and external reports
  • Managed budgets
  • Obtained graduate degrees in English and management

By Avis Winifred Rupert, Ph.D.

Dr. Rupert has a 20-year teaching/leadership track-record in education. She is a native of Texas but has relocated to the East Coast where she is the Associate Dean of Arts & Humanities at Bristol Community College. Her background includes both teaching and administrative positions in the university and community college, international contexts, and secondary and dual credit experience in both the rural and urban high school setting. Rupert has traveled to 21 countries to-date, partnered with populations from diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and achieved an 8-year management career complemented by four levels of management with the largest retailer in the world. Dr. Rupert’s education is complementary to her professional and personal growth and interests. She has a BBA in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing, an MA in Composition Studies, an MA in Organizational Management with an International Focus, a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing, and she is presently working on an MA in Biblical Studies and Theology. Rupert’s profile gives her a unique way of at looking at opportunities in education and beyond that often escape others. She contributes her success to self-awareness, an unparalleled drive to grow and develop in varying ways, and a tenacity for leadership. Finally, her dissertation which required the exploration of ethnography requires mention, for it too has added to her unique perspectives and accomplishments.

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