Where do I start???
When Sue Ellsperman took over 8 years ago, we thought (hoped) for improvement and initially, it looked like that might happen. She broke up the regions and gave the individual campuses more autonomy. What she didn't think about, however, was the campus leadership, or perhaps she didn't care. If the campus has a thoughtful, servant leader, it's likely that things go well in spite of some of the ridiculous changes (like eight-weeks classes) to structure of the college. If you are one of the unfortunate employees of a campus with dictatorial administration, like my campus, you will find yourself in a hostile, toxic environment with no help or recourse from higher up because Sue runs a mean girls club and people live in fear of losing their jobs. Chancellor annual earnings are climbing by as much as 35% annually while faculty and staff, if they receive pay raises, are getting about 3% (if you're lucky) annually. I could write a book about the nepotism, dishonesty, and unfair treatment received at my campus. Sadly, based on conversations with colleagues across the state, and some fairly in-depth research on my part, what is happening at my campus seems to happening at many of the campuses. I love my job - the actual work, but I do not love the toxic work environment.
Sue has recently announced her retirement effective in June 2025. We are holding our collective breath because, while we hope & pray for someone who will be passionate about education as well as understand that faculty and staff are the backbone of this institution, there is also the fear that we will end up with the same thing, or worse when the new president is hired. It's that 'the devil that you know vs. the devil that you don't know' fear.
