C O U R AG E ,
persistence,
R E S I L I E N C Y Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith | President, York College of Pennsylvania BY KATIE MAHONEY VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
“My mother once told me that she always wanted to be the wife of a college president, but that I could be one.” Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, President of York College of Pennsylvania, didn’t intend on a career in education administration. After twelve years as a research scientist and multiple opportunities to lead and guide projects in that arena, she discovered that she had a talent for generating enthusiasm about projects that needed funding to those in a position to fund them. When speaking of her decision to transition from a research scientist to a teacher-educator she shared, “I decided that I could either write 30 science papers, or I could help 30 people each write 30 papers – that would be impactful. How much time does one have to have an impact or to do what you’re going to do? Time moves fast. I asked myself ‘what do I want my legacy to be?’ I wanted to influence other young women, especially of color, to achieve their own path. It’s never been about me. It’s about what I can do for those who come behind me.”
“I wanted to influence other young women, especially of color, to achieve their own path. It’s never been about me, it’s about what I can do for those who come behind me.”
08 • YoCo CONNECT | SPRING 2022 • Leading Transformation Through Education
