15 Year Book - Flipbook - Page 137
I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 15th anniversary of the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) at the
University of Michigan! I was privileged to work with various outstanding people in the Office of Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion during my eight years as Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer; however, I enjoyed working with
none more than the team at CEO. In coming into my new role, the only thing I knew about CEO was that it was
one of the many visionary contributions that my predecessor, Lester Monts, had put into place to make the
University more responsive to the needs of all its constituents. I had the good fortune to start my tenure
partnering with the founding director, Nick Collins, whom I have known and deeply respected for a very long time.
Nick taught me a great deal about the importance of an effective educational outreach center at the University of
Michigan. His commitment and dedication ensured that CEO played an essential role in not only extending the
University’s connection and potential contributions beyond the
boundaries of our campus, but also did so in a manner that
continually pushed the University toward being a more diverse,
CEO HAS BEEN BLESSED
equitable and inclusive place.
My great fortune continued when I got the opportunity to promote
Kim Lijana to the role of Director, succeeding Nick when he decided
to retire. Kim not only continued to build on the tremendous foundation
Nick laid for CEO, but she has also incorporated her expansive and
exciting vision of CEO’s impact throughout the campus and the state.
In doing so, she, too, has shown tremendous leadership in the outreach
community. CEO has been blessed with outstanding leadership
over the years.
WITH OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP OVER THE
YEARS... THE SECRET
SAUCE IN CEO’S
SUCCESS IS THE
PROFESSIONALS AND
STUDENTS WHO MAKE UP
THE CEO TEAM.
Nonetheless, I am sure that Nick and Kim would be the first to agree
that the secret sauce in CEO’s success is the professionals and students
who make up the CEO team. They have, since the inception of CEO, been simply exceptional.
Both Nick and Kim assembled talented individuals who bring a variety of skills and talents to
CEO, not the least being a passion for the work.
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