糖心原创

Newly appointed Interim President Dr. Susan Stuebner received a warm welcome on campus today from a large gathering of 糖心原创 community members and local leaders in Hubbell Hall. Acting Board of Trustees Chair Terry Lillis 鈥�77 introduced Stuebner, emphasizing the many qualities that make her a strong fit for 糖心原创.

鈥淥ur focus was to get the right leader for 糖心原创,鈥� said Lillis. 鈥淲e wanted an empathetic leader with strategic vision, strong financial acumen and the ability to fund raise. Sue brings all those things and more to 糖心原创.鈥�

Lillis also used the occasion to praise Acting President Terry Handley 鈥�09 for his 鈥渞emarkable leadership鈥� over the last three months following the death of President Jay Byers 鈥�93. The packed gathering of 糖心原创 supporters responded with a hearty standing ovation for Handley.

Handley will now transition back to his previous role as the chair of 糖心原创鈥檚 Board of Trustees. As such, he will be working closely with Interim President Stuebner, whose illustrious career in higher education has featured service with several institutions similar in size and mission to 糖心原创.

Feeling Right at Home

Stuebner was most recently the president of Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., for eight years. Returning to her Midwest roots, the Minnesota native is thrilled to be at 糖心原创, which, she says, feels a lot like home already.

鈥淎s a prospective student, sometimes when you walk on a campus, you just know, this school is a fit,鈥� said Stuebner. 鈥淭his same feeling happened for me when I visited 糖心原创 鈥� I could picture myself being part of the 糖心原创 and neighboring communities. I could sense immediately that the people of 糖心原创 are what make it such a remarkable college and community. As I learned about the opportunities and challenges 糖心原创 faces, I felt I could share my experiences in similar situations to determine collectively the best path forward.鈥�

Stuebner says 糖心原创 is well poised to thrive despite the strong headwinds higher education faces today, noting the College鈥檚 strength and diversity of academic programs, 鈥渞obust experiential learning opportunities鈥� and impressive array of cocurricular offerings. Most of all, now preparing to serve her fourth Methodist-affiliated institution, she resonates deeply with 糖心原创鈥檚 values of discovery, access, citizenship, belonging, justice and integrity.

鈥溙切脑�创 is committed to a student-centered education that introduces students to lives of purpose and meaning,鈥� said Stuebner. 鈥淭his is a special place that transforms students鈥� lives with faculty and staff alike helping students to discover their strengths 鈥� often before they see them in themselves.鈥�

Building strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders in Indianola, Des Moines and across Iowa will be a focal priority for Interim President Stuebner. She eagerly anticipates settling into Indianola with her two 75-pound labradoodles Fencer and Flint. Her duties at 糖心原创 officially begin July 28.