The Power of Authentic Leadership: How Being True Changed My Career and Impact

[0:16]  Welcome back to another episode here on the Heart Hustle Podcast. Miss Alexis, how you doing today, man?

[0:21]  I'm doing well, you friends, good to see you.

[0:23]  Same, same. New York, right? Is that where you're from? That's what we right now?

[0:26]  Yes, I'm a Brooklyn girl working in Queens now, but I'm a New Yorker, you know, at heart. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yes, born and raised in Brooklyn, in Little Caribbean, East Wabash, Brooklyn. And I often joke, I didn't realize that I was born in America until I was about 10 years old, because it's this beautiful ethnic enclave of folks from all over the Caribbean, you know, but it was a beautiful childhood and a-

[0:31]  I hear it, I hear it. Born and raised?

[0:54]  a once in a lifetime opportunity to be raised in such a diverse and colorful and vibrant community, you know?

[1:05]  Yeah. I agree. You know, I I don't know if you've experienced racism, but it's always crazy when someone says, even my wife, right? My wife is a black woman that had was raised, I would say, in a white community. So people would automatically say, you're you're white, right? Or the way you speak, or this or the other. So she just mentioned all the different things and racism she's experienced. But almost like to you, I've kind of grew up in a very melting pot where I was it was very diverse to me. So I don't know that I've I've received that.

[1:06]  you

[1:34]  You know, so it looks like you didn't did you receive that at some point or was it when you got older?

[13:35]  Yeah. You know, and I have to say that I really believe that humans have this uncanny ability to rank and to sort and to separate. And so even though I grew up in this beautiful Caribbean enclave, there was always this, you know, undertone of certain Caribbean groups were less than, and know, certain Caribbean groups were better than, and I did find a problem at it. Do I think it was pervasive? Not really.

[13:38]  Yeah.

[14:35]  But I think there was, you know, definitely this undercurrent that ran through the community, particularly with my Haitian brothers and sisters, right? I'm going to be very frank. There was oftentimes this sentiment or this feeling that you shouldn't converse with or communicate with them. I always leaned into my Haitian brothers and sisters. I think if you really know what the history is of Haitian people, you should lean into them. They're quite inspiring, know, inspiring. They're go-getters, they're hard workers like much of the folks who live in the Caribbean. So, you know, I had some early experiences with that, but with racism in particular, not really. mean, the vast majority of people in my neighborhood were...

[15:32]  That's good.

[17:50]  Those experiences did come later though. Those were very jarring. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah.

[20:08]  Yeah, yeah, yeah. Adult, yeah, you had to really really learn Well, where's your your family from? 'Cause I did hear that there was an accent you mentioned the Caribbeans.

[22:26]  So, you know, I don't, I never hear the accent, but people hear it. My family's from Jamaica. And then being born first generation is very interesting because I always say it's like you're raised, like you're in Jamaica, but in America, which is why I said a few minutes ago, I didn't even realize until I was 10, I was like American. But yeah, it's, they're from Jamaica. My great grandmother came here. She was sponsored, became what they call back then a domestic, which is really a housekeeper and a cook.

[24:44]  Okay, okay.

[24:44]  and she kind of sent for my father and his siblings and the rest is history.

[24:44]  Wow. My best friend's Jamaican. So let me tell you, I'll be eating Jamaican food all the time. What is your favorite Jamaican dish?

[24:44]  Yes. So curry chicken with white rice and steamed cabbage and carrots. So I had that response already.

[24:44]  I'm about to say you almost like you ate it last night or something. I know Sundays is Sundays the rice and peas and stewed chicken night for as well?

[24:44]  Yes. Yes. So Sundays we cook and once again, I'm first generation, but I cooked yesterday. Like it is blasphemy if you do not cook in a Jamaican household on a Sunday. Usually start, I was like finished cooking by like one o'clock. This is whole thing. Like you got to get up early and you cook. you know, so it's, it, that that's been like kind of instilled in me. And sometimes I turn to my husband on a Sunday. I'm like, can we order Chinese?

[24:45]  Yeah.

[24:53]  And I feel so bad and his family's from Jamaica as well. And he's like, it's okay, our parents aren't around. We can sneak in. Yeah, but it's, it's navigating, right? The Jamaican-ness, the American-ness is something that's always ongoing with me and with him as well.

[25:01]  That is funny. Yeah. I like spicy, so give me some jerk chicken. I love oxtails, I just feel like there's not enough meat on the bone.

[25:09]  Yes. Yeah.

[33:32]  Listen, I love it. I for friends we I don't really celebrate Thanksgiving, but we celebrate Friendsgiving and it's the best thing ever because we get a little bit of everything, all types of food because as you mentioned, diversity. even in our own families, you know, just having Filipino, having an American, having a Jamaican, having someone Puerto Rican, I'm Puerto Rican. So just having all these types of meals, but I'm always looking for my book my homie, like when I say he throw down, first of all, he don't know how to cook for one or two people. I don't know if that's a Jamaican thing. He cooked for the whole army, is what I'm saying. Okay.

[33:32]  Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I agree.

[33:32]  I go to his house the other day. He says, Yo, I didn't make all the food. And I'm like, Really? Cause I see about seven trays up here on this counter.

[33:32]  It's hard. Yeah, that's the other thing that we don't know how to cook for one. But I would agree with that. I have the same problem. Yeah.

[33:32]  Okay. Well that means that means when I'm in New York, I was actually supposed to be there actually. 'cause you guys have Fanatic Fest coming this weekend and wrestling coming this weekend. But my best friend said she's about to be she's she's giving birth in about a month or two sure is her baby shower this weekend. And I was volunteered to go to Arizona where it's super hot. Like if I'm not already in hot. so I'm not gonna be in New York, but now I know in New York I go on a Sunday and you're gonna have extra food for me. So it's a vibe. It's a vibe.

[33:32]  Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yes. Yes. Yes, you gotta hit me up. And then if it's a Chinese food Sunday, right, or a pizza Sunday, I'll be sure to give you some good, good spots. I mean, as I said, Flavish is the best place to be if you want good Caribbean food. And so I'll make sure that I give you a real robust list.

[33:32]  Say less, say less. Yo, I love that I just heard the ambulance because I swear that's New York all day. Like wherever you at, you body hear it. You body hear it. That is too funny. Alexa's we didn't we didn't let people know what what school are you representing? What is organization and what is your your current role with them?

[33:32]  Yes, yes. Please excuse the ambient noise. Yes, so I am at LaGuardia Community College. I'm the vice president for student affairs and LaGuardia is a part of the CUNY system. CUNY is the City University of New York and it's located in Long Island City, Queens. And we are one of over 20 campuses situated throughout the five boroughs.

[33:32]  Wow. And what brought you to that? Like is it something that you just got there and never left? Usually that's what happens with a lot of people. Who how'd that experience come about?

[33:32]  So it's interesting you said got there and never left because that's how I feel about CUNY. Like I got to CUNY and never left, but you I started my CUNY journey at LaGuardia. I was an adjunct faculty person and I was teaching I think like I had an eight course class load. and then got an opportunity to become a faculty member at McEver's College, which is a predominantly Black institution in central Brooklyn, really founded out of this social justice movement, very community-based. About 88 % of the students there were Black, beautiful diasporic representation, Africans and Black Americans and Caribbean Americans. And I started there as a SEEK counselor. And SEEK is an opportunity program that provides a academic and psychosocial support to students. Eventually I became the associate director of the program and then the president at the time tapped me to become dean of students. And so I spent several years as dean of students. It was a beautiful time but I began to really feel like I can do more. And so I sought out an opportunity at LaGuardia as Vice President for Student Affairs and of course was fortunate enough to be positioned now and functioning in this role as a BPSA, as they say in CUNY. So I'm really blessed and very grateful and it's been an awesome journey.

[33:32]  I it's always cool just to kind of see the evolution of it all. But which one is your favorite role, you would say? You've done so many of them. Yeah.

[33:32]  Dean of students, hand down, hands down, hands down. I didn't even let you finish this end. Hands down. know, VP is very difficult, right? Because, and I have a Dean now, he's awesome. He's very steadfast, even tempered, not like me, I'm not even tempered, I'm not patient. And the point is as Dean, you're in this beautiful position where you are an administrator, but you're so close to the students.

[33:32]  I'm about to say she w she knew it.

[33:32]  You're constantly with them. You're constantly working with them. And I think you see their development in real time. But you get the beauty of seeing that as like an administrator at the college, because as an administrator, you have power to influence policy, to influence process. When you become VP, I think there's a shift that takes place because you are responsible for students and you are responsible for ensuring that you create an environment conducive to their success.

[33:32]  Mm-hmm.

[33:32]  but you're VP. And so your primary concern in some ways has to be what's best for the institution. And in many ways, you know, I grapple with that because sometimes what's best for the institution is not something that's gonna make students happy. And I think as Dean, you have the freedom to say, the institution because you're Dean of students. You're so close to them, so dedicated to them.

[33:32]  Love it. Mm-hmm.

[33:32]  And so I miss that. And I also miss that the activity when you're a dean, you're in everything at all the parties, you had all the events, you're in all the selfies, you're on the 360 machine and a photo. I mean, it's just a good time. And now, you know, it's more meetings than anything because our oversea personnel and budget and huge initiatives, it's very administrative. So, you know, it sometimes is it's a little sad.

[33:32]  Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mm-hmm.

[33:32]  But when I see that work come to fruition, I'm really, really happy that I spent all those long hours writing a grant proposal, right? Because I see the benefit now that it has on students. Yes, yes, I have three little people, not so little, but I call them little people. One is exactly, I'm still a little person in my mother's eyes, but you know.

[33:32]  Mm-hmm. I love it. And you also a mom of three, right? They will always be little people in your eyes. Yeah, yeah.

[33:32]  They're 18, three girls, 18, 14, and four. And so, you know, it's a lot of navigating being a mom. Yes, three girls, three girls. Yes, yes, especially from my youngest. They're very different. All three very, very different human beings. My husband has fully leaned into being a girl dad. So that's all he's beautiful. Yes.

[33:32]  You said three girls. That's a lot of sass in the house, huh? man. I feel for him actually now that I think about it. Lord, he is in trouble. Jesus. Shout out to you, my brother. Shout out to you. I know you watch it. That's good.

[33:32]  He is, he's fully leading. So, know, lot of time navigating mom, navigating being a working mom, you know, being a leader in some ways in the home and of course a leader at work. So, you know, it's just, it's, I'm tired many days, many nights, but I do feel invigorated, you know, simultaneously invigorated when I see any type of effort, you know, come to fruition. Yeah.

[33:32]  Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I love it. And your eighteen year old, is she already college tours or is college in her her future? What's that looking like?

[33:32]  Yeah, so she is on her way to college in the fall. so we, know, searching for colleges is a full-time job. And I'm glad that we have resigned from that for another few years. But yeah, she's on her way to college this fall. She's just an awesome young person. And I'm really, really proud of her. And I heard you say is college in her future? It's like in our whole household, that's like not an option. So like colleges, yes, in all of their futures, because I've worked at colleges, right, my entire professional career. And I really see how transformative it can be for young people. So I want them to have that experience.

[33:32]  Mm. You said that standard. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. So how was your experience? I mean, you kind of being behind the scenes for so long, working for a school, but I can imagine now you're seeing things that other schools are doing that it's like, Hey, that's bad and this is good. What what did that experience look like for you?

[33:32]  So, you my college experience was interesting. I went to Penn State, which, you know, I haven't kept up with their numbers, but at the time it was not extremely diverse. And, you know, I sat in classrooms with people who had never interacted with black folks, like never. I interacted with even administrators who had minimal interaction, you know, with black students. And I think that there were these moments where I was really sad.

[33:33]  Hm.

[33:33]  And I felt really alone because there was an ignorance there. And I'm not using ignorance as a pejorative. mean, they genuinely didn't know, right? And that influenced how I was treated, how I was spoken to, how I was acknowledged. What made up for that is that I had some really phenomenal faculty who were in my corner.

[33:34]  Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

[33:34]  and who saw my potential and supported me, wrote recommendation letters for me for graduate school. And I, of course, ended up doing quite well, but I'd be remiss if I didn't speak about how difficult it can be when you go into an environment that doesn't always take you into consideration.

[33:35]  Mm-hmm.

[33:35]  And that has informed my professional ethos with respect to students. They should always feel seen. They should always feel heard. They should never feel like we've forgotten them, right? Or we haven't made accommodations for their lived experiences. And so that now influences a lot of the work that I do and how I approach the work that I do as well. Love it.

[33:36]  Love it. And and and did your daughter also have those college tours and you were able to learn maybe from those experiences as well?

[33:36]  So I was, and you know, I gotta tell you, we would get on Zooms, you know, post COVID, even though you can visit in person, there's still a lot of Zooms. And it would be like, meet some of our students. And I'd get on. And if I didn't see a young person that looked like my daughter, I'd remove them from the list. You know, and I would say to her, I highly doubt they couldn't find one of us. You know what I mean to like put on a panel.

[33:37]  Mm-hmm. Yeah.

[33:37]  And it's not about shaming people or passing judgment or extreme judgment. I should say over their decisions. It's more about thought processes. So how is this institution thinking about building a class? How intentionally are you thinking about that? Because if you're intentionally thinking about it, you cannot forget that students who log on should see students. who may have a shared sociocultural history, you know, and it was difficult. It was a difficult conversation sometimes. She's like, I really liked the school. And I would tell her, they couldn't find one person of color to put in front of us, like one. Some of these campuses had 30,000 students. I'm like, you couldn't find one, you know? So, but that's what's important to my family. But once again, it spills over into my professional career because I think representation is important. I've never shied away from that. And I think it's a way to see people is when you honor who they are, ensuring that when they get to a place, there are folks with a shared history. And I think history is in our bones, right? And so that is important that students have that when they arrive at an institution. Yeah.

[33:38]  Mm-hmm. Love it. I love it. I love that you think that far, right? To say, hey, like I really am thinking so people don't think that's it's it's it's not small, but it's small, right? because when you think about the person that you're trying to get into, it's almost like really it's a it's a sales, right? Like, hey, how do I really get this person in? I gotta make sure everything is so good. And I think now we're in a place where we have enough data. We know what it looks like before you even walk on campus or jump on a Zoom call.

[33:38]  You know. Everything is so good. Mm-hmm.

[33:39]  So, did you take the time to really figure this person out? So I asked you, Lexus, are you guys on point with data that you guys are also doing this and thinking about outside the box?

[33:39]  Yeah, so we are absolutely, you know, thinking about that. One of the things that we recently discovered at our institution is, you know, I don't know where we saw this explosion in Nepali students. And we were like scratching our heads, like where did all these Nepali students come from? Come to find out there was a small group who came to LaGuardia, had an amazing experience. They started like calling home. And then they were forming like these WhatsApp groups here, right, in the US and saying, you know, go to LaGuardia, right? You'll be supported there. You'll be taken care of there. And next thing you know, it's like well over a thousand Nepali students at this college or somewhere close to that number. And so, yes, we think about this because when we realized that this population was exploding, we began to dig.

[33:40]  Wow. Yeah.

[34:14]  we began to dig and what you know, this is really an enrollment function. We have an awesome VP of enrollment management, but in the student affairs side, resources in Tana Polly Student Association, ensuring that their events are being supported, ensuring that their initiatives are being supported, right? So this goes back to seeing people and data can absolutely help you get there if you're willing to dig because at first glance data doesn't always tell the story.

[34:49]  Yeah. Mm-hmm.

[35:24]  We had to dig and that's what we found out about the WhatsApp chats and the calls home and the guardian will take care of you. But it's paid off. The policy and enrollment keeps increasing because we've invested in these students and data helped us get there.

[35:58]  Love Love it. And do you say that technology's also been a game changer, like AI and really kind of investing into what the next generation may look like?

[36:33]  Yeah, you know, absolutely. I would, I have to be honest, transparent. You I wasn't an early supporter of AI. you know, I obtained my degrees when there was no chat GPT or board and you just slaved at a computer for 10 hours trying to turn out a paper. And so there was a bit of snobbishness, you know, when AI came on the scene, but I do believe it helps folks become much more efficient. I think it's the wave of the future and it's unavoidable.

[37:08]  Ha ha. Yeah.

[37:43]  We have to lean into it. And so right now, yes, the university itself has even revised its academic integrity policy to include AI. Our chief academic integrity officer is being trained on it. And most excitingly, this summer we're actually running AI competency classes for students. And the class is free.

[38:17]  Mm-hmm.

[38:52]  And so was a connection that our president had that he leveraged. And so I think it's much better to lean into something that's inevitable. So it is something that we've definitely been thinking about and leaning into. It's here, it's not going anywhere and we're working with it, absolutely.

[39:27]  Wow. I love it. Yeah, I think I actually in Central Florida, one of the largest districts in Florida, they're not using it at the high school level. So that you guys are doing that and, you know, providing it free, it's really helping people understand how to utilize it and the good and the bad in it. Because of course, I think that's what people are scared of is the negative, you know, idea of using AI and how people will use it. And of course, I think it's like social media, it's like the website, people are going to use it for the wrong ways, but How do we educate our young kids that are coming out of high school, that are going to use this in in their future or using it now actually? how do we show them how to use it the right way? How do we create those guardrails and all those things? So it's always really shocking to me that at the high school level, we're not teaching them because they're going to go to colleges and start that career. But I'm hearing that it's just teachers that are not educated around it or the fear of it. But it's like, It's a disservice to the next generation if we as adults or leaders in the space of higher ed or even at our our high school levels to not teach these kids that because there is such a benefit in it, right? You just mentioned how it really helps someone be more creative, a little bit more efficient, think outside the box. Because it's not that it does the work for you, of course, sometimes it does, but it's how do you make that your own? Now you have a starting point. Now you don't got to spend 10 hours on a paperwork.

[40:02]  of them.

[40:02]  I was actually reading the other day, we were going through some old like documents, almost 10 years old. And me and the other leader start laughing because it was so good. But this is before Chat GPT, and it's like, man, look at this. And this was before Chat GPT. So Yeah, exactly, exactly. what are some of the things that you you would love to maybe you guys are not doing it, but that you guys would love to implement as you guys start to grow as an organization, as a as a school.

[40:02]  Yes. Yeah. Imagine what we could do now. Yeah. Yeah. You know, one of the things, and this is because I was a seat counselor and it was such an integral part of my career, I really saw the beauty of a small cohort model. Real intense advisement, know a lot of events and initiatives and just all-around kind of support that was very tailored I say all that to say one of the things we're really thinking about is how we can give or every student that type of experience You know when I came from my former Institute and I obviously landed at an institution three times its size and so some of them there's some logistical challenges with respect to instituting that but we have been

[40:02]  Mm.

[40:30]  been engaged in lot of conversations about academic advisement, the academic advising experience, and how that can help students become more successful and ultimately help them obtain the credential that they want. And I say all that to say, if we can move to a model, and this is something we've been discussing, where every student gets that high touch, support, intensive advisement, intentional routing to events and support services. we think that we'll see some really beautiful outcomes in the future. It is a long road. It's very expensive to provide that to every single student. But I think that we've been making some subtle changes to get there. We've increased how many academic advisors we're hiring. We've poured a lot of funding into housing and food insecurity support as well. We've done a lot to increase funding for internships and fellowships. So we're trying to

[40:59]  I love it.

[40:59]  ensure that we're taking care of the students as a human being, right? And as a professional in the future and not just a student who kind of wandered in and enrolled for classes. We see you as a human being, right? Yeah.

[41:00]  Mm-hmm. Yeah. Experience. Like I think people don't realize that word is so crucial. That experience. You mentioned from a Zoom call, from the application process, from the first day of school through my first year of school. What does that experience look like? Cause at any point moment that I feel like the school's not supporting me, I do feel like I'm alone, right? Like and it's so easy for me to fall through the cracks at that point because no one's gonna notice, right? and it's so crazy. I I can tell the technology is changing a little bit. I've been out of

[41:01]  Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah.

[41:02]  College for man, I haven't seen I was at Valente Community College maybe eight, nine years ago. But I can tell now that they're they're now getting into technology because now I'm getting like these text random text messages. I'm like, y'all forgot me for eight years. Like, what do you mean? You know what I mean? Like, now you want to hit me up? but is that experience that I think is what you're speaking to? It's like, so people don't fall through the crack. So people feel like they're not feel, but know that there are resources. A lot of times we don't know what we don't know.

[41:02]  Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yep. Yes.

[41:03]  and I think is how we're able to meet someone at where they're at. How does that look like? Right. I think we have all the tools necessary. great leaders. and I only say experience because experience is crucial in every aspect of life. I'm gonna tell you something that is has nothing to do with school. So here in Orlando we have a septic tank. Well, not every place, but I have a septic tank. Have you ever lived with a septic tank? Okay. It sucks. Okay.

[41:04]  No, visited houses with them, but you have the big home and you're back.

[41:05]  Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah. It it doesn't look that crazy, but I think the worst part about it is when the septic tank is full, that water's coming back up into your your shower, right? And this water could be whatever was being flushed. Okay. So my wife was already having a panic attack. Now it was a Friday, so it's Saturday morning. I called somebody and I called this company because they were great the first time. But the second time, the experience, right? This man was trying to sell me on everything. And I had like two different people. I had one. That he was from up north. This is the up north thing. He was selling me on every single little thing. Then I had an older gentleman that was really helpful and said, Yo, you got a pressure wash? You got this? Yeah. And he would he knew that the owner, because the other guy was the owner. He said, Hey man, these guys are gonna charge you for everything. If you go X, Y, Z. And I appreciated that. But you know what? I also didn't appreciate that the other owner was selling me on everything and wouldn't even give me options, right? I don't know if I use that company again. And it goes back to if we're at a level where we're receiving help and we just feel like you're just selling us on, you know, something that we do not know or don't even know how to get there, we feel overwhelmed. We feel like you're not hearing us. We feel like we're not seen. Right. So I think the experience is so crucial. And you just kind of mentioned why you enjoyed being at that level because you knew what you were pouring back into these students. What are you telling?

[41:06]  Thank you.

[41:06]  All these other advisors now, what are you leading into them and pouring into them to make sure that they understand that experience?

[41:06]  Yeah, so you know a lot of these conversations obviously happen at the executive level and then it's shared with deans and directors and so on and so forth. The main thing that I tell them is say what you mean and mean what you say. And I'm so glad that you brought up that example, which actually is related to our conversation, because stop bringing students in under false pretenses. There are times where you have to have a tough conversation. I'm in a community college space. We have a number of students who have mental health issues. And there are times where I've had to personally sit down with a student and say, college might not be right for you right now. because we don't have the supports that you need in place. We don't have a psychiatrist, for example, on staff to help you with medication management. And you've told us that you don't even have a psychiatrist in your personal life or an NP in your personal life. Right. And I think a lot of folks shy away from turning students away, but I don't because you are bringing them in under false pretenses when you don't. And I'm not standing at the door saying you go left, you go right. Right. It's not that. But there are times where I have to have a conversation and tell students, not right now, not right now. We cannot give you the support or help that you need right now. And it is something that the executive team supports. We are all on the same page with that. And so I think that it's really important for colleges and universities to keep that in mind. I know everyone's worried about the enrollment cliff. Everyone's worried about competition. And then there's this socio-political pressure of you don't need college. So there's some of that, you know, happening where you think people are gonna, you know, kind of go down a different path because folks are telling them you don't need college. No matter what happens, you got to do right by people. And if you don't have what they need, they deserve to know.

[41:06]  Mm-hmm.

[41:06]  And there are tons of students for whom we have what they need. And there are many that we won't be able to support because we don't have it. And I think the most honorable thing to do is what the second gentleman did, which is say, do you have X, do you have Y, and do you have Z?

[41:06]  Yep. Give me options. Yeah.

[41:06]  us exactly right. So those are conversations that we're constantly having. I'm very fortunate in that that is something that is shared amongst all of us, including the president. And we're just not going to sacrifice bodies, human beings in the name of enrollment numbers. With that being said, our enrollment has grown substantially. We're actually not suffering in that area. And I think it shows that you can be decent to people and tell them we're ready when you are and still do the work to increase your enrollment. They don't have to be separate. You can definitely do both.

[41:06]  Love it. I love what you said. It's not it's not for you now. Right. I because it's not what you say is how you say it. And I say that because someone told me as I was graduating high school, Efraine, you might as well go get a job because school's not for you. Right. And just imagine a 17 year old boy leaving high school that was already dealing with trauma and the mental and the sexual abuse and all that. And you just told me that I pretty much wouldn't amount to much. So go get a nine to five job, right?

[41:06]  Yeah. Ow.

[41:06]  I always say shit got to tell me the rest of my, you know, life and the rest of my story, but it is those moments that will make or break somebody. Right. And so for you to say, yo, it's not that you're not equipped for this. There's things that you have to do before you get here. And I think she should have told me that and being very mindful. But it is true. It's it's making sure that leaders understand how to meet people where they're at. And because going back to culture, sometimes you just don't know how to deal with that person. You've never experienced how to deal with that person.

[41:06]  Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[41:06]  So instead of you trying to figure it out, you just go with the first thing that you just knew, right? so I I love what you mentioned. And I I love your leadership. I mean, a lot of the things that you talked about is truly just your leadership skills, but it wasn't something that you were born with, I can imagine. It was something that was kind of along your way. People were pouring into you. What are some of the things you remember from other leaders, from your own mom? You mentioned what your mom has done, your dad, your first gen student. What what fuels you to be this leader? Like what are the things that you keep telling yourself?

[41:06]  Exactly. Yeah. So, you know, I think about women who have mentored me and one in particular who began to mentor me many years ago when I first started at Medgar Evers, I remember we would have this rush during registration. I mean, literally a rush, like seemingly a thousand students sitting in this area that could accommodate 50 people, right, to register for classes. And... The first time I experienced it, was jarring. I had like never seen it before, but it was my first year at the college, my first advisement rush. And I remember walking out and seeing this woman who was the dean at the time, literally she had rolled up her sleeves and was sitting at a desk in a bullpen and helping people register students. And I never forgot that. And I'm talking about it now, and I don't think I've ever even told her this story. And she's mentored me for almost 20 years at this point. But it was the beauty of servant leadership. And what she taught me is that you can lead and still be right next to your people during the most challenging times that they're experiencing at work. And it is something I've carried with me.

[41:06]  Love it. Mm-hmm.

[41:06]  It is not uncommon even as VP to see me folding t-shirts and moving tables. I mean, like we have an event and it's all hands on deck. It's all hands on deck. We had commencement a few, so I'm like on a golf card and I'm carrying boxes and this isn't work that's beneath me. I'm VP in title, but I am your colleague. And so everything that I ask my people to do is something that I would do myself. And that is a lesson that I learned very, early on in my career. And I think it's what has helped me have such a critical mass of folks who come out. You know, like I've had people say, I'm only here because of you. And it is such a beautiful feeling. It's a little horrible for the other person who asked them, who found out they're only here for Alexis, right? But it is heartwarming.

[41:06]  Yeah.

[41:07]  Because you know that people, you ride for people and they're going to ride for you, right? And so she taught me that so early on and I would just, I would never forget it. And then, you know, really quickly on the parent side, this happens in a lot of families, but I think in Caribbean households, especially in your first generation, there's this pressure, I would say, you know, to follow a certain path.

[41:09]  Yeah. That part.

[41:11]  We really prioritize delayed gratification, know, at least in my household and in lot of Caribbean households. And there's always this sentiment that if you keep your head down and you work really hard, the reward will come. And so a lot of what I've been able to accomplish came with patience actually, just knowing that I'm toiling now, but eventually it will pay off. And that's what got me through three degrees, one of which I acquired when I had two of my girls. So the servant leadership, the persistence, the patience, the commitment to delayed gratification, all of those things have helped shape the leader that I am now.

[41:12]  Mm. Let's go. I love it. I I I truly do love the passion and the leadership skills. I think your your mentor was fertilize in the future and should even know it. You know, and you do gotta go back. You know, I actually just called a old leader. I was 19 years old when I run my ran my first store. and I think to my and I was really thinking about where I got today of my leadership skills and realizing I was a leader of it. Like, we it's nothing that we try to be. It's in us, right? Like this is who we are.

[41:14]  Yes. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

[41:16]  And sometimes we want to turn it off, right? But it's just who we are. So I remember calling my old souviars, I haven't spoken to man in years. But just to let him know, man, I appreciate you dealing with the 19-year-old version of me. I'm 36 now. But because of those reasons where someone poured into me when life was really taking from me, when that lady told me to go get a job, I did. And I worked my ass off, you know, and I was able to open up my own stores and I was able to run million-dollar locations, I was able to travel the world on somebody else's dime.

[41:18]  Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

[41:19]  Because there was people that seen more in me sometimes than I seen in myself. And it is those leaders that you just appreciate and they don't even know what they did for you. But it's like, yo, I'm not who I am if I didn't see you do it first. You know, and that's why representation does matter. You know, these are I didn't grow up with a father. So seeing these males that were hardworking, that cared about other men was was important to me. You know, and I still hold that to my to to this day, as you write. I seen that same supervisor.

[41:21]  Yeah. Yes. Yeah.

[41:23]  Roll up his sleeves and get on the line and make subs when it was busy. He'll walk right in and jump. I love that. And I can't stand when I I go to places now and it just irks my nerves when I see the manager just standing in the background. I'm like, my God.

[41:24]  Yeah. Yeah, mine too. Yeah, mine too. I just, and you know, I always tell people, there's like no one way to be a leader. You know, I was fortunate enough to move through, you know, my educational journey and become a professional in the profession relatively early. And there was a vibrance, that's the term I would use, I had because of my youth. And I lost count of how many people that, you know, would tell me, you know, if you're going to be a leader, you should speak this way and you should be this way. You know, and when you come in in the room, make sure you do this. And I'm just so glad that I grew up with parents who made me believe that I wasn't confined and I was good just the way I was. I mean, even to this day, like my mom thinks like I walk on water.

[41:26]  Uh-huh.

[41:28]  Right and it's it was a beautiful thing because I just never bent I never bent like I just refused to do it I remain true to who I was and I would say it was about a decade ago when I started to see wow this worked out very well for me just being who I am You know building the relationships that I've been able to build and most importantly the connections. I've been able to make with

[41:30]  Yeah. Love it.

[41:30]  You know what I mean? Like I just, remember all of these dances and I'm like, I'm really rock on every block, you know, and I'm with them, you know, and now I'm like, take me through this, take me through this, you know, and they're like, all right, baby, all right, baby. And I'm just.

[41:30]  Yeah. Yeah. Wha's the new one? Where's the new one? They what's I forgot what the hell it is. My daughter was doing it. What is it? Man, I gotta think about it. I'm gonna ask my daughter what one when I ask her.

[41:30]  That one I forget, but I see. Yeah, which one that is, right? I'm just like, and sometimes they're on campus and they're like, hey, and I walk past and I jump in and I'm like, hey, we out here. So what? I can be that person and then go turn out a grant proposal, right? And land 200 Gs, right? So you can be both people and this idea, especially this thing we tend to do to women and to women of color.

[41:30]  Yeah.

[41:30]  that we have to lead a specific way, you know, it's always been so disappointing because I've seen people remain true to who they are and totally be successful, you know?

[41:30]  Here I am thinking we're about to wrap up this conversation, but I do want to talk about what you just mentioned. Being yourself, authentically yourself is so important because people will tell you, as you mentioned, to be this, to do this. I was just having my the conversation with my wife, and I've had I'm I I was part of I'm still leading the organization actually, but before I let it, I was sitting around men that were 56 year old men, Caucasian men. And I'm I'm 37 years old, but I don't look my age.

[41:30]  Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[41:30]  That's one. And then two, people don't even know who I am, right? I'm new to the room. I'm the diversity in the room. and I remember them saying, don't worry, we'll mold him and to become blah ja blah, because you know, one day. But it's like, you don't even know my past. I've already been leading. I already had a nonprofit. You know, when someone says we'll groom him and, you know, and I don't even know these like I gotta look up these words. Like, are they bad words? And I think for so long we we we probably thought they were. That's another thing I was gonna look at. But I I even think from a perspective of there is this.

[41:30]  Yeah. you

[41:30]  black leader, right? A man that I show up authentically me. I'll show up in that NWO shirt. You probably don't say it 'cause it wears cut off, but I will show up authentically me. And I remember him looking at me and saying, Hey, you want a better dress shirt? I'm saying like, nah, I'm good. Like, I feel comfortable. You know what I mean? Actually, I think the kids are more approachable to me at this point than they are to you. Cause he's in a suit and tie, right? So then the next year, just to be an asshole, because that's just sometimes what I like to do.

[41:30]  Yeah. Yes.

[41:30]  I put on the the wrestling button up because now I'm in a button up. You can't say much, but I love wrestling. That's who I am, right? Authentically me. So what does he do this year? It's like, hey man, we should get you a blazer with the school logo here, this, this, and this. And I'm like, I just start laughing. Like, I don't need that, right? Because I do business like this and I win every single time. People do business with people. And I think right now, more than ever, people want authentic.

[41:30]  Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

[41:30]  People, right? And when we talk about the next generation, they're looking for authentic leaders, right? They're looking for those that can be themselves, but also be professional and be a leader. And I think that's what a leader is. It's like, yo, you play the role, but you understand that you're not better than anybody, that you can you still go clean that toilet, right? If needed, that you'll still got the trash if needed. So I love that you you said that. And I would actually leave you to the last thing of speak to the next generation of women your color.

[41:30]  down. Yeah. you Exactly. Yeah. Yeah.

[41:30]  because I think more now more than ever, you'll see a lot of them step up. See you're seeing them step up. You're seeing them knock down these doors. You're going to they're going to hear those same voices that you've heard. Probably hopefully not as as loud, but what do you say to those individuals before we wrap it up?

[41:30]  Yeah. You know, I'll tell them that you are enough, you know, and it's really important to always check in with your gut because it is aligned with the universe. And what you believe is for you is absolutely for you. Do not give in to the noise. Do not give in to naysayers and do not let that distract you. You'd be amazed at how many people are spending more time thinking about the negativity and the thing that nasty person said to them last week than about what they're going to accomplish next week. Right. And so you are enough just the way you are and trust yourself to be who you're destined to be. Yeah. Exactly. Exactly.

[41:30]  Love it. Learn how to quiet that noise is what you just mentioned. I love it. Alexis, thank you so much for your time. Where can people find more information on the school, but also you if they wanted to tap in?

[41:30]  Absolutely. So you can learn more about the wonderful jewel of Queens LaGuardia Community College at LaGuardia.edu. You can also learn more about me. I can be found on LinkedIn at Alexis McLean and on Instagram at IamAlexisMcLean.

[41:30]  I love it. Alexis, thank you so much for your time, for your gems, for your wisdom, for being an authentically you as a leader and being representation for those that didn't think it was possible. I think that's always important as well. I'm Efrain. This has been Alexis. Great conversation. We'll catch you in the next one. Latest.