Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. was not originally planned to go to Lehigh but could with full confidence say that she produced the best decision immediately after being hired to run getting this new track-and-field cluster. Because an effective about three-big date graduate–getting her student, master’s and doctoral level most of the away from Lehigh-O’Connell loans several of this lady enjoy on Lehigh so you can her newest elite achievements because the a good superintendent. “There can be no way We could’ve known they during the time, but many of the enjoy We discovered using becoming an athlete, lessons track as the a graduate assistant, as well as in brand new class room in the Lehigh are common made use of everyday because the a beneficial superintendent.”
Currently superintendent from Palisades School District into the Higher Bucks State, Pennsylvania, O’Connell could have been patient regarding the informative achievement, creating beginner health and you can increasing the courses by applying technology, which has an internet reading academy https://datingranking.net/escort-directory/worcester/ for students that released more a decade ago.
Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. enjoys the fresh President’s Tailgate along with her daughters and Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 until the 157th conference within Lehigh and you may Lafayette activities communities.
This works has actually earned the woman besides the new superintendent term, nevertheless condition away from Pennsylvania’s Superintendent of the season getting 2022, and you will while in the an effective pandemic, nevertheless. “[The honor] have my name involved, but it is most from the the entire cluster men and women.” O’Connell goes on, “I like my personal employment to possess so many explanations. Once i work at pupils, I would like to hear from their store what’s going better and you will exactly what they wish to come across transform. Out of one to opinions our company is have a tendency to able to perform things on it.”
So that as Lehigh celebrates 50 years out-of coeducation, O’Connell reflected toward milestone saying that brand new opportunities people currently keeps are a present on ladies who appeared just before him or her
With that same times getting compassionate on the someone, she brings chances throughout the each team meeting for everyone so you’re able to share what is going better directly and you can expertly, “I anticipate this element of for every single conference,” O’Connell says. “I really like hearing about what is certian really for the for every coworker’s lifetime, particularly throughout tricky situations where we could merely stay for the negative.”
O’Connell’s classes at Lehigh into the English and you will anthropology since the an enthusiastic student beginner, immediately after which academic management at master’s and you can doctoral height, all of the drove house the theory that society out of a community, or perhaps in O’Connell’s situation, a college program, is crucial to making a successful functions and you will studying environment. O’Connell features solid opinions you to rotate around teamwork, providing some one together with her, networking, commitment and management. She claims the learning Leadership Program regarding the University regarding Knowledge prepared the girl in a few means. “I always laugh that the simply group I [could have utilized on] Lehigh is but one into the meteorology,” O’Connell states, listing it would come in handy whenever she’s and work out inclement weather needs the institution program.
Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. keeps an effective Lehigh sports head protection at the President’s Tailgate just before the latest 157th edition of one’s Competition.
It had been as well as owing to this lady self-confident experience given that students-runner one to she won a chance to act as a group master and you will began to know what leaders works out. She credits this among the of numerous identifying times of the lady day at the Lehigh. Just like the a commander you are, “Constantly given simple tips to promote being deliberate regarding the starting the fresh place to do this to provide somebody together with her and you will behave as a group.” O’Connell says much of that routine become as a master, immediately after which since the a scholar assistant, with the track and field people.
The lady desire focuses primarily on this lady deep passion for the new class, people and you will strengthening long-lasting dating with every communications
O’Connell’s advice for somebody trying to see a leadership reputation try by the putting on sense from the searching for frontrunners options contained in this things they might be currently interested in. She along with invited the individuals interested in teaching to get hold of this lady.
An Easton, Pennsylvania, local, O’Connell continues to sit associated with Lehigh from the teaching since an adjunct professor, helping towards the dissertation committees and as couch of one’s Lehigh Research Council into the College off Degree. She also is brand new 1995 classification correspondent for Lehigh’s Alumni Bulletin. She specifically features planning to sporting events, and you can are very happy to be able to promote the woman girl so you’re able to the latest 157th version of your Rivalry ranging from Lehigh and you will Lafayette during the November.