Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. was not to begin with planned to visit Lehigh but may confidently point out that she made best decision just after being employed to perform to own the track-and-field party. Once the a three-day scholar–getting this lady student, master’s and you may doctoral degree all the out-of Lehigh-O’Connell credit a lot of her experience at Lehigh to help you this lady latest elite group success as an excellent superintendent. “There is certainly not a chance I could’ve known they at the time, but some of enjoy I read owing to are an athlete, coaching track once the a scholar assistant, plus brand new class room at Lehigh are all used everyday as the a beneficial superintendent.”
Already superintendent regarding Palisades College Section from inside the Upper Cash County, Pennsylvania, O’Connell might have been diligent in the academic profits, producing scholar wellness and you will improving the programs by applying technology, which includes an online training academy for students you to definitely introduced more than ten years ago.
Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. keeps the latest President’s Tailgate with her daughters and Lehigh Chairman Joseph J. Helble ’82 through to the 157th meeting amongst the Lehigh and you may Lafayette sporting events communities.
All this works features garnered the girl besides the latest superintendent term, although condition from Pennsylvania’s Superintendent of the year for 2022, and you can through the a great pandemic, however. “[The latest honor] enjoys my personal term on it, but it’s really regarding the entire group of individuals.” O’Connell continues on, “I adore my occupations to own too many causes. As i run Rialto CA escort reviews children, I do want to pay attention to from their store what is heading well and you can exactly what they want to select transform. Out of one opinions we’re tend to able to do anything throughout the they.”
And as Lehigh honors 50 years of coeducation, O’Connell mirrored towards milestone proclaiming that the fresh potential females currently has actually was a gift throughout the women that emerged ahead of him or her
With that same times to possess caring regarding some one, she creates a chance throughout for each and every cluster appointment for everybody so you’re able to show what is actually supposed really actually and expertly, “We look ahead to this part of for every single meeting,” O’Connell states. “I enjoy reading on what goes better for the per coworker’s lifetime, particularly during tricky times when we are able to simply live on the negative.”
O’Connell’s categories from the Lehigh when you look at the English and you may anthropology once the an student student, after which instructional leadership on master’s and you will doctoral height, every drove house the concept that society away from a community, or in O’Connell’s case, a school system, is essential to making a profitable performs and you will discovering ecosystem. O’Connell possess good viewpoints one to revolve doing teamwork, getting anybody with her, marketing, relationship and you may leaders. She states the learning Frontrunners System in the College out of Knowledge prepared their in a number of indicates. “I laugh your just group I [possess used in the] Lehigh is but one in the meteorology,” O’Connell says, detailing it might be useful when she’s got making poor weather requires the college system.
Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. keeps a good Lehigh sports helmet during the President’s Tailgate before the latest 157th model of Rivalry.
It was and owing to the girl positive enjoy because the a student-runner one to she generated an opportunity to serve as a group head and you may began to know very well what frontrunners ends up. She credits which as among the of several identifying minutes out-of the lady big date at Lehigh. As a chief you might be, “Constantly given simple tips to express and being deliberate about doing the room to achieve this to provide some body together with her and you will work as a group.” O’Connell claims the majority of you to definitely practice already been while the a captain, and just like the a scholar secretary, for the track-and-field cluster.
The girl attract concentrates on the girl deep passion for the newest classroom, youngsters and you may building lasting dating with each communications
O’Connell’s advice about anybody trying to receive a management standing try by the gaining sense of the wanting management ventures within circumstances these are typically currently looking for. She also welcomed the individuals finding training to contact this lady.
An Easton, Pennsylvania, indigenous, O’Connell continues to stay connected to Lehigh because of the practise since the an adjunct professor, offering to the dissertation committees and also as couch of Lehigh Studies Council into the School away from Studies. She is also the newest 1995 classification correspondent having Lehigh’s Alumni Bulletin. She especially has going to sports, and you will is actually very happy to have the ability to give the lady daughters to help you the fresh new 157th version of Competition ranging from Lehigh and you will Lafayette from inside the November.
