Feature Article
2011 2013 2016
The Future : Vigilant and Viable
Although much progress has been made during her tenure at Siena Heights , she remains “ vigilant ” to what she calls the “ precarious position ” of higher education .
“ We don ’ t want to run off with this little trend or that little trend ,” Sister Peg said , “ but to keep looking at new directions that will call us to do things in different ways to make us much more viable in higher education .”
She said students remain at the core of her presidency , and she said she cherishes her relationships with them .
“ I love being with them , and I think they sense that when I ’ m with them ,” she said . “ I find them very life-giving . I think students should get to know a president the best as they can . I know I ’ m gone a lot fundraising , but I think it ’ s sad when a student graduates from a college and never has seen the president .”
She also appreciates her leadership team , which is called the Executive Committee of the Administration ( ECA ).
“ My team has been a wonderful team with whom to work ,” Sister Peg said . “ They are not perfect , and neither am I by a long shot . But somehow we ’ ve been able to get it done .”
She said the University ’ s vision of the future includes a new performing arts center , an admissions welcome center , a new science building , a fieldhouse addition and expanding enrollment and academic programs throughout SHU ’ s many campuses , including online .
“ I see all that happening ,” Sister Peg said . “ But the most important thing I think as a Siena community is we need to deepen and grow . We need to remain faithful to our heritage and yet not be afraid to go out and do different things .”
A “ Different ” Kind of President
Sister Peg knows she is “ different ” as far as college and university presidents go . And she embraces it .
“ I know that when I ’ m I groups of presidents , I see myself differently than some presidents ,” she said . “ And this is an assumption I ’ m making . I just see myself as a member of the community whose role is to be president . While a lot of presidents see themselves as ‘ The President ,’ and that is their role . My hope is that I can continue to grow in being a servant leader .”
She said she doesn ’ t do it alone ; in fact , she doesn ’ t want to .
“ There are many gifted people around me , and I delegate a lot to them because they have the expertise in those areas ,” Sister Peg said . “ My job is to facilitate it all . We make decisions together .”
Her faith also is what often sets her apart , especially being a member of the Order of Preachers .
“ I know I could not do this job if I didn ’ t have faith ,” Sister Peg said . “ I know my faith and my sense of who we are and who we are called to be hopefully influences this institution in a positive way . We ’ re not afraid to tell people who we are . We ’ re not afraid to talk about our beliefs and values . We need to continue to deepen and grow in our sense of who we are as a Catholic , Dominican institution that is also accepting and welcoming of all faiths . That ’ s a continual thing . That never stops .
“ I ’ ve learned a lot these last 10 years . Hopefully I can use some of that knowledge as we forge into the next 10 . I think we have a wonderful future . And we have a lot of people to help get us there .” u
A Few Highlights
Sister Peg Albert has built her presidency around community and relationships during her time at Siena Heights . Here are a few notable accomplishments since she arrived on campus in 2006 :
2006 : Being the first Adrian Dominican Sister to serve as Siena Heights President since 1969 , Sister Peg Albert adopted a “ Be Bold . Think Higher ” mantra on her arrival . The Siena community soon found out that she was true to those words .
2009 : Despite the national economic downturn that had many colleges and universities scaling back projects and initiatives , Siena Heights moved forward by beginning a nursing program . The program was helped by federal funding and the backing of Michigan ’ s two U . S . Senators , including Debbie Stabenow ( pictured , center ), who visited campus to show her support . The fully accredited program now has prelicensure and RN to BSN degree paths .
2010 : Siena Heights announced it was starting a football program and would build a multi-purpose stadium and athletic complex to help support it . Other new athletic programs such as bowling , lacrosse and cheer and dance followed , not to mention the eventual creation of a marching band program .
2011 : On a warm , sunny October Saturday , Siena Heights dedicated its new O ’ Laughlin Stadium and Dawson Field before a Homecoming crowd of approximately 5,000 people attending the first home football game . Calling the atmosphere “ electric ,” Sister Peg said the day was one of the highlights of her time at Siena Heights . “ The spirit in that place … became alive .”
2013 : Thanks to the generosity of benefactors such as Mary Spencer ( pictured , second from right ) and Steve and Sally Hickman ( second from left , far left ), SHU dedicated its new McLaughlin University Center in October 2013 . Quickly becoming the hub of campus , the 34,000 square-foot student and community facility houses the University ’ s dining service , a snack shop and the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore .
2016 : In fall 2015 , Siena Heights achieved a record enrollment on its Adrian campus , which now has more than 1,000 full-time undergraduate students . Siena Heights also has a nationally ranked online program , and currently has campuses in Battle Creek , Benton Harbor , Dearborn , Jackson , Lansing , Monroe and Southfield . Sister Peg said the University ’ s future focus will be building enrollment through academics .
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