Fellow Friday - Evan Pauken, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

What do you do at the college and why is leadership important in your role?

In my position at Kalamazoo Valley, I help to direct the work of the Institutional Research team and the retention and completion initiatives at the college. Alongside my colleagues, I aim to guide the collection and utilization of data to inform and influence practices that impact student success.

Share something you learned about leadership and said... "I have to do that tomorrow!"??

Regularly allocating time on my calendar for innovative thinking. It is easy to let competing obligations overshadow this energizing and important component of work. Marking it down as an event throughout my week has been a great reminder to prioritize creativity.

What motivates you to invest in your own leadership development?

Leadership is fluid and requires maintenance in the same manner that technology changes and requires training. I am always trying to develop the best version of myself and believe that investing in my own leadership development will help me better understand how to guide others toward success.