Coming Face To Face With Outer Space

An interview with Dr. Boyce Williams and Galen Hench

Editor’s Note: Dr. Boyce Williams currently serves as the Interim Dean of Education at Frostburg State University. This is Boyce’s first interim assignment through The Registry, and she has recently been extended to serve in the role for another twelve months. Prior to joining The Registry, Boyce served as the President and CEO of the National Alliance of Learning, Inc., the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), the Vice President for Institutional and International Relations (Middle East and North Africa) for the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and numerous other roles. Galen had the opportunity to visit with Boyce over the phone to learn more about her very unique interim assignment. 

Hench: Could you tell us a bit about your current interim role and where you are serving?

Williams: I am the interim Dean of Education at Frostburg State University (FSU) in Frostburg, Maryland. I began my tenure in June 2017 on what was initially a one-year assignment, and I was just extended for another year while the institution continues its search for a permanent Dean.

The department I oversee includes two primary academic programs: education, which includes programs ranging from elementary education to masters and doctoral programs; and kinesiology and recreation, which includes courses in physical education, athletic training, exercise and sports science/management and others.

The President expected me to come in and to support leading the college of education forward; I was not asked to come in as an interim Dean and keep the seat warm. I feel respected, and that is what matters most. This support and autonomy I receive is critical to my success at Frostburg, and has given me the confidence to demonstrate, model, and to execute leadership.

Hench: What has been the most exciting aspect of your assignment so far?

Williams: About four months ago Ricky Arnold, an American astronaut and a Frostburg State University graduate, called me out of the blue. He shared with me that he was a Frostburg alum who was a classroom teacher—and also a graduate of Bowie State and The University of Maryland College Park—and that in a few months he was going to be travelling into space to live on the International Space Station.

Ricky said that he wanted to do a video call with the FSU, College Park and Bowie State teacher education community while he was on the space station, and that he wanted a chance to communicate with our students from space. On April 9th, Ricky was live-streamed into FSU and the call was live on NASA TV and YouTube. There were well over 2,000 university, elementary and middle school students participating on our campus as well as on the other campuses. Those students were able to interact directly with the astronauts and ask them specific questions.

This also happens to be Frostburg’s 120th anniversary. I am incredibly thrilled about this opportunity and we all understand how big this will be for the institution, for our programs, and for our community. Do you think that 120 years ago, the founders of this institution could have envisioned a former student communicating with future educators over a live stream from space—I mean, how cool is that?

Hench: What is one of your strengths as a leader? In what way do you think that has prepared you to serve as an interim?

Williams: I don’t end any day of my life without finding something fun or something to laugh about. I refuse to let any person or entity steal my joy, and I won’t allow the faculty to wallow in pity either! I always find something positive or uplifting that we can be proud of. If we fail then we fail together, and if we succeed then we succeed together.

You have to understand, this institution has seen a lot of change in a short period of time and with that comes a perceived lack of stability. Supporting the faculty is an essential part of my role. The faculty have to feel supported and empowered, and so I’ve devoted a tremendous amount of time to developing and fostering relationships. The people who work with me have to be able to trust me, and it takes time to develop that trust. Relationships are critical to success; it doesn’t matter if I am an interim Dean or a permanent.

Hench: What is the most notable difference between serving as an interim versus serving as a permanent?

Williams: The fact that I am a Registry Interim carries a lot of weight. Even here at Frostburg, where the faculty wasn’t overly familiar with The Registry, once they had an opportunity to research The Registry’s mission, vision and purpose there was an implicit sense of respect that has translated throughout my appointment.

I have been around the block enough to know that there are initiatives and directives I can lead as an interim that I wouldn’t have the political capital to do as a permanent. The fact that I came from The Registry carried the implication that the President wanted forward thinking seasoned professionals in the respective discipline while the university searches for a permanent Dean.

Hench: Have you had an opportunity to explore your new community? Have you been able to get involved beyond your interim role?

Williams: The mountains are just incredibly beautiful out here. It cracks me up that my landlord is the Mayor—I just think that is so funny. I was pleasantly surprised that over 35% of the student population at Frostburg are African American. We have many students from surrounding areas such as DC, Baltimore, and Howard and Montgomery County. I think many of our students who grew up in very urban areas enjoy the much more rural vibe of the Frostburg campus.

In terms of my involvement within the community, I am a member of the education committee of the Allegany Chamber of Commerce, and I am also on the working group committee of the Greater Cumberland Valley Chamber of Commerce. As Dean, I’ve traveled to several events in Garret, Washington, and Frederick County with the President to make connections with new stakeholders.

Through these types of connections, I have been able to secure outside funding for a STEM camp for under-served girls in our community during summer 2018. My goal is to institutionalize some of community-focused programs. That way, whoever takes on the permanent Dean position can continue to grow these initiatives.

Hench: Based on your experience, what would you say to someone who is considering a Registry interim assignment?

Williams: I think it’s important that someone considering an interim assignment, or even membership in general, simply be open to the experience that The Registry offers. Prior to joining The Registry I had been a senior education policy professional in Washington, D.C. for most of my career. I previously led an Education department, and also served as a Chief of Staff and Sr. Vice President for a number of nonprofit organizations. I have also worked in the Middle East with higher education officials regarding accreditation.

The more I explored the interim Dean position at Frostburg the more I felt that this was an institution that could benefit from my leadership and experiences. I was confident it would be a good fit, and I am happy to say it’s been a great fit. This has not been a traditional Deanship because of how broad the responsibilities are, and I think that has played to my strengths.

I was actually the first African American Dean to be hired by the current president at Frostburg—I believe this is important given the high percentage of minority students enrolled at the university. Students, faculty and staff need to see themselves throughout their college experience. I think it’s been good for the community to see that Frostburg is committed to diversity, and I am grateful to be a part of that.

If I had allowed myself to be held hostage to my thoughts and beliefs then I wouldn’t be here. I could have just as easily passed on this opportunity, but I didn’t. And I believe that’s been as much to the benefit of Frostburg as it has been to me and the opportunities for my own professional growth. In hindsight, it would have been a loss for me if I had passed on this opportunity.

Editor’s Note: You can find a link to the interview with Ricky Arnold on the NASA website here, and photos from the event are included below.