(PCM+) August: Thoughts on Higher Ed

by Stephen Scott

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I have always been somewhat of a science/nerd. My choice of reading material reflects this aspect of my being. Recently, I enjoyed a book “The Heart Speaks” written by Dr. Mimi Guarneri, where she discussed the interconnectivity between the heart and brain—and the heart’s powerful role in communicating with the brain through emotion and sensitivity. Delving further down this rabbit hole, I found another book, “The Embodied Mind,” by Dr. Thomas R. Verny. He found the electromagnetic field around the heart is 60 times greater than that around the brain and reaches every cell in the body. In fact, it is approximately 5,000 times stronger than the brain’s magnetic field and can be detected several feet away from the body. OK, now we are onto something interesting! 

Overall, these doctors found the heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. The neural interactions between the two are very complex. And their findings support the concept that we are all driven by what is in our heart. And that idea has existed for eternity.

The University Center is undergoing a major change in leadership. Our CEO, Robyn Armstrong, is retiring after 15 years of service. It is a loss being felt by everyone at the UC, including the Board of Directors and the Foundation. Because of her leaving, the directors were immediately tasked with the search for a replacement. The demands and requirements are stringent. We were well aware the choices we would make will affect the UC for years to come, and the new leader will be responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of the UC in the community. The new CEO will have the opportunity to make the UC reflect their values with the goals they set.

To say this was a heavy load to carry is an understatement. After posting the job opening, we received 24 applicants from across the nation and one from Canada. I was impressed that people wanted to move to Ponca City for the job, and that was a feather in our town’s cap! As the board chairman, I assembled a small search committee to review the applications. Together we went through each one carefully, weighing positives and negatives. We looked at their experience to see how relevant it would be to both the UC and our community. We culled the list, and then culled it again and again, eventually arriving at the “finalists” who would be interviewed by the search committee. The interviewees were well prepared and literally had their “best feet forward” to our questions. We knew we had winners, and even wished we had more than one opening to fill so we could take advantage of all of the positives offered by the candidates.

In the end, after significant discussion, our hearts drove the choice. Logic (the brain) does not always provide the “feel good” we need to know we made the right decision. So we fall back on our “gut instinct,” which is our heart. It was the right thing to do.

Mr. Tim Williams is the new CEO-elect for the University Center. He used the UC to earn one of his Master’s Degrees giving him “alumni” status, as well as an appreciation for what the UC has to offer. When you see Tim around the community, please congratulate him on the new job - and know you can always call him with any questions or assistance you might need in pursuit of your college degree. He has been there and done it. You can too!        

At the University Center, our commitment is to develop high levels of quality relationships with our students. Our support staff works tirelessly to make sure that student needs are met and that our professors have the tools necessary to provide a high-quality education. 

We hope you will stop by the University Center and speak with us about the opportunities available to you. We have a dedicated staff ready to provide you with the tools to start your journey to earn a degree in higher education. The University Center is committed to bringing degree programs to Ponca City that our students need to be effective in a global economy.  We have a strong desire to see each of our students succeed and be ready to make a positive economic impact in our region.

We encourage you to begin today, and let us be the first to say, “Welcome to your future.” Please enjoy your visit to the University Center at Ponca City. To find out more about our programs, visit us online at www.ucponcacity.com