Carmen Roberts is the executive director of operations at Great Falls College Montana State University in Great Falls, Montana. In this episode, Roberts joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her journey to becoming a higher education leader, the challenges and opportunities in operations management, and the importance of fostering collaboration among diverse teams.
“Don’t be afraid to take on something that’s outside your comfort zone that you don’t necessarily know anything about,” Roberts says. She emphasizes the value of embracing new challenges and stepping outside one’s job description to gain recognition and demonstrate capabilities. “Those other duties are assigned, that’s where you get noticed. That’s where people see how hard you work, what you’re capable of. If you really aspire to leave, sometimes you have to do that. You have to focus on the other duties as assigned.” Roberts goes on to talk about the importance of saying yes to opportunities, even when they may seem daunting or unfamiliar, as a key to career growth and success in higher education operations.
Join us for a conversation with Roberts as she talks about navigating leadership transitions, successfully completing major facilities projects, and the motivations that drive her to excel in her role supporting students and staff.
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