Q &A with Dr. Ty R. Stone
Newly appointed sixth president of Jefferson Community College
@PhDoneCoach
Dr. Mike Robinson, Founder and CEO Forest Of The Rain Productions had the opportunity to ask the newly appointed sixth president of Jefferson Community College in Watertown, New York a few questions prior to her highly anticipated arrival on campus.
Dr. Mike Robinson: When did you realize you wanted to become a President of an institution of higher education?
Dr. Ty Stone: I have known for about 10 years that I have wanted to play a larger role in higher education, although I wasn't sure it was a president. I stumbled into Higher Education in my work as a faculty member at Central State University. I remember being in the room with students and "feeling" the untapped potential and getting frustrated that they did not see that potential in themselves. I saw during that time that many administrators or faculty spoke to the potential of students, nor took responsibility in helping them identify it, and I wanted to help. I believed (and still do) that students reach the expectations that key influencers have of them--however high or low those expectations may be. I wanted to ensure that high expectations were developed and communicated to all of our students and that we take responsibility and hold ourselves accountable for helping our students reach those expectations.
The board of trustees of the State University of New York has announced the appointment of Ty R. Stone as the sixth president of Jefferson Community College in Watertown, New York. The college enrolls more than 3,700 students. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education, African Americans make up 7 percent of the student body.
In accepting the appointment, Dr. Stone said that "from the first moment I visited Watertown, I understood just how important Jefferson Community College is to the area. Everyone I encountered had a wonderful story about the institution and what it meant to them. I am honored and privileged to join the Jefferson family and I look forward to working side-by-side with the students, faculty, staff and administration to continue to provide the wonderful educational opportunities the College brings to the community."
Dr. Stone has been serving as vice president for strategic initiatives as Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, the third largest community college in the state. She has been on the staff at the college since 2010. Earlier, Dr. Stone was director of business operations of the Dayton YWCA.
A graduate of what is now Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland, Dr. Stone earned a master's degree in business administration from Trinity Washington University and a doctorate in organization and management from Capella University.