Meet Dr. Xue Xing, PLSP-ECMC Foundation fellow

Meet Dr. Xue Xing, assistant professor of teaching and learning at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Xing’s Techniques interview appears as part of a digital-exclusive spotlight series on fellows in the Postsecondary Leadership Success Program at ACTE – Sponsored by ECMC Foundation.

What leadership skills do you hope to develop as part of the Postsecondary Leadership Success Program at ACTE – Sponsored by ECMC Foundation?

I hope to strengthen skills in the areas of communication, organizational management and networking. As an ethnic minority and international female, I find my voice is heard less often than that of my peers. Although this might be a long journey, I believe greater communication skills can help me navigate some of the challenges in my professional life. Further, skills related to organizational management and networking will help advance my career. Knowledge about institutional dynamics and positive interpersonal relationships will create opportunities for collaboration and positive changes.

In what ways have you innovated to engage students >amp; inspire colleagues in CTE through the COVID-19 pandemic?

COVID-19 has imposed great challenges on our daily and professional lives. At the beginning of quarantine, I noticed right away that maintaining the mental health of our faculty and student communities would be a challenge. I initiated a 30-day COVID-19 Warrior Challenge in my department — with a very optimistic thought that we would get back to normal in one to three months. The goal of this challenge was to establish a new life and work structure that fit the new normal. I coordinated a group of faculty and students who met every day to cheer each other up and hold each other accountable to goals. Members who completed the challenge said they felt better and more productive when adjusting to the stay-at-home life. I feel very proud of them and myself.

Our education systems face many challenges in 2021. Please discuss the steps CTE can take to improve equitable access to high-quality CTE programs of study.

I believe in taking a proactive approach to improving equitable access to education. Solutions start with identifying program areas and populations that face equity concerns. Establish career pathways that expand diverse students’ participation in those fields with purposeful recruitment strategies and favorable admission policies. Then create a supportive community that engages all learners with targeted peer and faculty mentoring to ensure their retention and success in academics and careers. And follow through. Invest in your students and invite them to become the future of CTE.

Learn more about the Postsecondary Leadership Success Program at ACTE – Sponsored by ECMC Foundation.

Please also meet:

• Tiffanie Rosier, STEM education coordinator at Northern Virginia Community College
• Tachaka Hollins, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents
• Tracey D. Cooper, executive director of nursing at Temple College
• Bernie Phelps, director of Perkins, Perkins Rural Reserve and dual enrollment at Montana Technological University, Highlands College
• Vickie Thomas, director of the Center for Workforce and Community Development at Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell
• Moira Lafayette, dean of health sciences and public safety at Blackhawk Technical College
• Brad Kinsinger, director of the Global Agriculture Learning Center at Hawkeye Community College
• Eric Sewell, director of technical education at Southern Union State Community College
• C.J. Wurster, district director at Maricopa County Community College District
• Katie Vincent, director of workforce partnerships at Owensboro Community and Technical College
• Aleksander Marthinussen, program manager with NOVA SySTEMic at Northern Virginia Community College
• Martha Payan-Hernandez, director of CTE at Fullerton College
• Dan Adams, former CTE administrator and current stay-at-home dad
• Ashlee Spannagel, dean of CTE and workforce development at Southeastern Community College
• Darlene O’Rourke, Perkins grant director and officer at Queensborough Community College
• Shelsi Barber-Carter, CTE coordinator at Baton Rouge Community College