2022 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the year Bridget O’Connell Creates Relationships, Community Society

Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. was not to start with planned to go to Lehigh but may with full confidence point out that she generated ideal choice shortly after becoming recruited to perform to possess the fresh new track and field group. Just like the an excellent around three-day graduate–making her student, master’s and doctoral levels all from Lehigh-O’Connell credits nearly all the lady feel at the Lehigh to help you the woman current elite group profits while the good superintendent. “There can be not a way We could’ve known they at the time, however, many of your own feel I read compliment of getting an athlete, coaching tune because the a graduate assistant, along with the brand new class at Lehigh all are made use of each and every day once the a beneficial superintendent.”

Currently superintendent away from Palisades School Section within the Higher Dollars County, Pennsylvania, O’Connell has been patient regarding instructional achievements, promoting student fitness and you can increasing the training by making use of technical, which has an on-line learning academy for students one to introduced over 10 years before.

Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. have the President’s Tailgate with her girl and Lehigh Chairman Joseph J. Helble ’82 before the 157th fulfilling amongst the Lehigh and Lafayette sports groups.

All this really works possess gained the girl not just the latest superintendent identity, nevertheless condition of Pennsylvania’s Superintendent of the season for 2022, and you may while in the good pandemic, nonetheless. “[The latest prize] have my name involved, however it is extremely from the our very own whole party of individuals.” O’Connell continues, “Everyone loves my jobs to own unnecessary factors. While i work at students, I would like to hear from them what is actually heading better and you may what they want to select change. Out of you to definitely viewpoints our company is usually able to perform something on the it.”

So that as Lehigh celebrates 50 years away from coeducation, O’Connell reflected toward milestone stating that Lakewood escort reviews this new opportunities female already has actually try a present throughout the ladies who emerged ahead of him or her

With that exact same times getting caring in the people, she produces the opportunity during for each party conference for everybody so you can display what is going really yourself and you may professionally, “We look forward to so it element of for every appointment,” O’Connell claims. “I favor hearing on which goes really when you look at the for every coworker’s existence, particularly during the problematic times when we can only live on bad.”

O’Connell’s categories during the Lehigh inside the English and you may anthropology since an enthusiastic student college student, following instructional management within master’s and you will doctoral level, every drove house the concept that people of a residential district, or perhaps in O’Connell’s situation, a college system, is a must to creating a successful work and you will studying ecosystem. O’Connell provides solid philosophy one revolve up to teamwork, getting individuals along with her, network, relationship and management. She claims the educational Leadership System about School from Degree wishing the girl in a few ways. “I usually laugh that just class I [might have made use of from the] Lehigh is certainly one in the meteorology,” O’Connell says, listing it might come in handy when she has and also make poor weather calls for the college system.

Bridget O’Connell ’95, ’97G, ’07 Ph.D. holds a beneficial Lehigh recreations helmet from the President’s Tailgate ahead of brand new 157th release of your own Competition.

It was and additionally thanks to the woman self-confident experiences because the a student-athlete you to definitely she attained a chance to act as a team master and you may began to know what management works out. She credit this among the of many defining minutes from their date at Lehigh. Given that a frontrunner you will be, “Always given simple tips to discuss being intentional regarding creating the fresh place to do this so you can give some body together and work as a team.” O’Connell claims the majority of you to definitely behavior already been since a chief, and because the a graduate assistant, into the track and field people.

Their appeal centers on her deep love of the latest class, youngsters and you may building long-term dating with every communication

O’Connell’s advice about people seeking to get a management standing was because of the gaining sense by in search of leadership options within this things they are currently shopping for. She also asked those interested in practise to make contact with this lady.

An enthusiastic Easton, Pennsylvania, indigenous, O’Connell continues to stand linked to Lehigh from the training while the an enthusiastic adjunct teacher, helping to the dissertation committees so when settee of one’s Lehigh Investigation Council on College or university from Degree. She also is the brand new 1995 classification correspondent to own Lehigh’s Alumni Bulletin. She specifically have attending recreations, and try thrilled to have the ability to bring this lady daughters so you’re able to new 157th model of your own Rivalry anywhere between Lehigh and you can Lafayette when you look at the November.