Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. wasn’t originally planned to visit Lehigh but may with certainty say that she generated the best choice after being recruited to run to have the fresh new track and field group. Given that a beneficial three-day scholar–earning the woman student, master’s and you may doctoral amounts the of Lehigh-O’Connell loans several of her skills within Lehigh so you’re able to their newest top-notch victory given that a beneficial superintendent. “Discover not a chance We could’ve recognized they during the time, but the majority of of your own feel We read courtesy getting an athlete, coaching tune because the a graduate secretary, plus the fresh new class room at the Lehigh are typical put everyday because a good superintendent.”
Already superintendent off Palisades School Area inside the Higher Cash County, Pennsylvania, O’Connell might have been patient regarding the academic success, promoting pupil fitness and increasing the courses through the use of tech, with an internet studying academy for students you to definitely introduced more a decade ago.
Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. have this new President’s Tailgate together with her daughters and you will Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 through to the 157th conference amongst the Lehigh and Lafayette football groups.
All of this works possess earned the girl not simply the fresh superintendent name, nevertheless county away from Pennsylvania’s Superintendent of the season getting 2022, and you may throughout the an excellent pandemic, still. “[Brand new prize] has actually my personal label with it, however it is really regarding the entire people men and women.” O’Connell continues, “I really like my personal employment to possess a lot of causes. Whenever i manage youngsters, I wish to hear from their store what exactly is heading really and you will just what they want to select change. Off you to definitely views we’re commonly able to perform things in the they.”
So that as Lehigh remembers half a century out of coeducation, O’Connell reflected to the milestone saying that brand new opportunities people currently enjoys is a present regarding the women who arrived in advance of her or him
Thereupon same opportunity having compassionate regarding some body, she brings an opportunity throughout for every single group appointment for everybody so you can display what is actually going well privately and you will skillfully, “I look ahead to it part of for each and every appointment,” O’Connell states. “Everyone loves reading on which is certainly going better into the per coworker’s lives, especially during challenging situations where we can only dwell to your negative.”
O’Connell’s categories at the Lehigh in the English and you can anthropology since a keen undergraduate scholar, then academic management at master’s and you will doctoral peak, all the drove family the concept the people from a residential district, or in O’Connell’s situation, a school program, is crucial to creating a successful works and you can reading ecosystem. O’Connell enjoys good values one to rotate to teamwork, getting some one together, network, connection and you can frontrunners. She says the training Management System on the School of Training waiting their in a number of indicates. “I usually joke the only group I [possess put from the] Lehigh is one when you look at the meteorology,” O’Connell says, detailing it can be useful when this lady has to make poor weather need the institution system.
Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. retains an effective Lehigh sporting events helmet at the President’s Tailgate just before the fresh new 157th edition of the Rivalry.
It had been as well as by way of the girl confident event just like the a student-runner you to definitely she acquired an opportunity to serve as a team chief and you will started to understand what leadership ends up. She credits this among the of many identifying times from the woman day during the Lehigh. Since the a chief you happen to be, “Constantly considering how exactly to display and being intentional on the carrying out the latest space to do this so you’re able to provide anyone together with her and you may work as a team.” O’Connell says most of one practice already been because a chief, following since a scholar secretary, towards the track-and-field group.
The girl focus centers on the girl deep love of this new class, college students and you will strengthening lasting relationship with each communication
O’Connell’s advice for some body trying see an authority position try of the gaining experience by the finding management potential within issues these include currently in search of. She together with invited the individuals wanting exercises to make contact with the lady.
An Easton, Pennsylvania, local, O’Connell will continue to stand connected to Lehigh by the exercises since a keen adjunct teacher, helping to your dissertation committees and also as chair of Lehigh Analysis Council for the University out-of Knowledge. She is the 1995 group correspondent to have Lehigh’s Alumni Bulletin. She specifically possess probably recreations, and you can are happy to have the ability to render her girl so you can live escort reviews Pueblo the fresh 157th version of your own Rivalry between Lehigh and you can Lafayette inside November.