Page 17 - index
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CONFERENCE FEATURE
“The Rufus that I know is truly a gentleman and a scholar… education and in his community, his state of Arizona, and
The Rufus that I know is a change agent who never sees a nationally.” His Ph.D. degree from the University of Arizona
problem too big for him to be involved with solving…The and his Masters and advanced degrees from Northern Illinois
Rufus that I know is committed to students…A staunch University helped mold his critical thinking and analytical
advocate for educational access and opportunity…The Rufus skills, yet his Bachelor’s degree experience at Luther College
I know is a strong leader, a respected leader that many call in Decorah, Iowa is what molded and developed his love for
on and seek his advice…The Rufus that I know is an ethical fnance. Trough his undergraduate and graduate educational
and professional leader always facing problems in a way that journey, he continued to understand the benefts derived from
allows you to always know that he is a man of stature and a careful planning and fscal responsibility. His credentials
values driven leader.” include his certifcation as a Certifed Government Financial
Fitting his dry and engaging sense of humor, Rufus began Manager which is an extension of his license as a Certifed
his acceptance remarks with a corollary comment as he Public Accountant. As a recognized expert in educational
stated: “Te Rufus Glasper that I know would not be here fnance, his service has ofen been extended to professional
today if it were not for Paul Elsner.” He went on to share his and community groups where they trust his understanding of
personal leadership development journey under the casual and budget management as well as fnancial forecasting.
mentoring leadership of Chancellor Elsner. As Rufus continued Prior to the Chair Academy Conference in Orlando, I had
his acceptance, he was also quick to acknowledge that the two the opportunity to discuss the Elsner Award with Rufus
MCCCD colleagues who most forced him to think out of the and to gain an understanding of what he has valued in his
box were Gary Filan, former Executive Director and founder of own leadership as a true practitioner. Te interview was
the Chair Academy, and Paul Elsner. enlightening and presented many lessons from which we all
In 1986, Rufus began his career at MCCCD as a director can learn a great deal.
of finance, and with the guidance of many leaders at the Having worked with Paul Elsner for many years, what comes to
district office and throughout the community, he soon rose to mind as you accept this leadership award named after him?
additional leadership positions, and as he told the audience, I remember multiple times afer coming to the college in 1986
his success was due in part to his willingness to openly share how Paul embraced me as a person and a member of the team.
his opinion, and his personal belief that “you do not put He let me know that he valued my opinions and was genuinely
finance as a wall in front of people but rather a door to open interested to hear what I thought about a topic or issue we
new opportunities.” As Dr. Glasper continued to define his were addressing. For all of us at the table, he made it clear that
leadership journey for the audience, he stated: “If you want he valued what we thought and was not interested in hearing
to be invited into the discussion, then you need to bring what we thought he wanted to hear from us. Rather, he wanted
your honest self to the table.” Throughout his career, Rufus people around him to be open and honest, and to focus on
has done just that! From 2009 to 2012, he served as the co- doing what was right for our students and community. Paul is
chair for the Lumina Foundation “Getting Ahead” initiative. the kind of leader who supports taking measured risks so as to
He has served as a member of the American Council on move the organization forward productively.
Education Commission assessing college retention and
credential attainment. In 2012 to 2016, What do you most value about
he served on the Homeland Security community colleges and what they
Academic Advisory Council, and provide to higher education?
the list of recognitions and awards Te value community colleges provide
is endless, including the Victoria the public is the whole notion of access
Foundation’s Advocate for Education and opportunity—providing access to
Award, presented by the First Latino all students. Part of my work has been
Community Foundation. Most about building an environment within
recently, he was also recognized for his the institution that addresses the diversity
twenty-five years of service to the peer and instability of the students we serve.
review corps at the Higher Learning You cannot be driven by seat count or by
Commission. In many respects, the worrying about what is happening around
awards and recognitions mirror his you; rather, you must focus on building an
commitment to academic integrity, environment that creates the best teaching
equality, and human rights as well as and learning culture we can provide.
his belief in open access and support People like what community colleges do
for student learning. As Rufus noted, to beneft the employment needs as well as
“to be a good leader, you have to be a the educational needs of our students, and
good follower.” because of our mission to serve, they want
Dr. Blackman described this year’s to keep us doing good work. We are fnally
recipient more directly by saying, being recognized as an important option
“Rufus is an educated man and has within higher education and one very
truly used his education to make much needed to address the technological
a diference in the feld of higher needs of our country.
LEADERSHIP Vol. 23.1 Spring/Summer 2017 15
Client: The Chair Academy Job: Leadership_Journal_23.1 Spring/Summer 2017 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • LAURA@GOLDFISHCREATIVE.NET
“The Rufus that I know is truly a gentleman and a scholar… education and in his community, his state of Arizona, and
The Rufus that I know is a change agent who never sees a nationally.” His Ph.D. degree from the University of Arizona
problem too big for him to be involved with solving…The and his Masters and advanced degrees from Northern Illinois
Rufus that I know is committed to students…A staunch University helped mold his critical thinking and analytical
advocate for educational access and opportunity…The Rufus skills, yet his Bachelor’s degree experience at Luther College
I know is a strong leader, a respected leader that many call in Decorah, Iowa is what molded and developed his love for
on and seek his advice…The Rufus that I know is an ethical fnance. Trough his undergraduate and graduate educational
and professional leader always facing problems in a way that journey, he continued to understand the benefts derived from
allows you to always know that he is a man of stature and a careful planning and fscal responsibility. His credentials
values driven leader.” include his certifcation as a Certifed Government Financial
Fitting his dry and engaging sense of humor, Rufus began Manager which is an extension of his license as a Certifed
his acceptance remarks with a corollary comment as he Public Accountant. As a recognized expert in educational
stated: “Te Rufus Glasper that I know would not be here fnance, his service has ofen been extended to professional
today if it were not for Paul Elsner.” He went on to share his and community groups where they trust his understanding of
personal leadership development journey under the casual and budget management as well as fnancial forecasting.
mentoring leadership of Chancellor Elsner. As Rufus continued Prior to the Chair Academy Conference in Orlando, I had
his acceptance, he was also quick to acknowledge that the two the opportunity to discuss the Elsner Award with Rufus
MCCCD colleagues who most forced him to think out of the and to gain an understanding of what he has valued in his
box were Gary Filan, former Executive Director and founder of own leadership as a true practitioner. Te interview was
the Chair Academy, and Paul Elsner. enlightening and presented many lessons from which we all
In 1986, Rufus began his career at MCCCD as a director can learn a great deal.
of finance, and with the guidance of many leaders at the Having worked with Paul Elsner for many years, what comes to
district office and throughout the community, he soon rose to mind as you accept this leadership award named after him?
additional leadership positions, and as he told the audience, I remember multiple times afer coming to the college in 1986
his success was due in part to his willingness to openly share how Paul embraced me as a person and a member of the team.
his opinion, and his personal belief that “you do not put He let me know that he valued my opinions and was genuinely
finance as a wall in front of people but rather a door to open interested to hear what I thought about a topic or issue we
new opportunities.” As Dr. Glasper continued to define his were addressing. For all of us at the table, he made it clear that
leadership journey for the audience, he stated: “If you want he valued what we thought and was not interested in hearing
to be invited into the discussion, then you need to bring what we thought he wanted to hear from us. Rather, he wanted
your honest self to the table.” Throughout his career, Rufus people around him to be open and honest, and to focus on
has done just that! From 2009 to 2012, he served as the co- doing what was right for our students and community. Paul is
chair for the Lumina Foundation “Getting Ahead” initiative. the kind of leader who supports taking measured risks so as to
He has served as a member of the American Council on move the organization forward productively.
Education Commission assessing college retention and
credential attainment. In 2012 to 2016, What do you most value about
he served on the Homeland Security community colleges and what they
Academic Advisory Council, and provide to higher education?
the list of recognitions and awards Te value community colleges provide
is endless, including the Victoria the public is the whole notion of access
Foundation’s Advocate for Education and opportunity—providing access to
Award, presented by the First Latino all students. Part of my work has been
Community Foundation. Most about building an environment within
recently, he was also recognized for his the institution that addresses the diversity
twenty-five years of service to the peer and instability of the students we serve.
review corps at the Higher Learning You cannot be driven by seat count or by
Commission. In many respects, the worrying about what is happening around
awards and recognitions mirror his you; rather, you must focus on building an
commitment to academic integrity, environment that creates the best teaching
equality, and human rights as well as and learning culture we can provide.
his belief in open access and support People like what community colleges do
for student learning. As Rufus noted, to beneft the employment needs as well as
“to be a good leader, you have to be a the educational needs of our students, and
good follower.” because of our mission to serve, they want
Dr. Blackman described this year’s to keep us doing good work. We are fnally
recipient more directly by saying, being recognized as an important option
“Rufus is an educated man and has within higher education and one very
truly used his education to make much needed to address the technological
a diference in the feld of higher needs of our country.
LEADERSHIP Vol. 23.1 Spring/Summer 2017 15
Client: The Chair Academy Job: Leadership_Journal_23.1 Spring/Summer 2017 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • LAURA@GOLDFISHCREATIVE.NET
