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Launching Community College Entrepreneurs to Career and Financial Success: Meet Dr. Rebecca Corbin, GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winner for Entrepreneurship
As the esteemed president and CEO of National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), Dr. Rebecca Corbin embodies the spirit of inclusive leadership.
What is your personal story? How did you find your purpose and passion?
As a former administrator, adjunct faculty member, and development professional in higher education, I experienced first-hand the value of trusted relationships – both personal and professional – and know that it cannot be overstated. Throughout my journey, many colleagues, friends, and donors have collaborated with me and opened doors to meaningful opportunities. This motivates me to help open more doors wide to others.
At NACCE, I have had the privilege of witnessing daily the power of a strong network of community colleges and HBCUs with faculty and administrators committed to creating opportunities for students of all circumstances and backgrounds. Continuing this important work is my greatest reward.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Were there people who were instrumental in your pathway?
It’s always been my goal to be of service to the community. When I joined NACCE in 2015, I recognized the immense opportunity that it presented to impact people’s lives in a positive way. Focusing on building a strong board and staff, and partnering with aligned foundations and organizations, NACCE has grown and expanded its impact, regranting over $35 million to our members in the past five years. This work continues to fuel my purpose and passion for inclusive leadership.
During my career, many individuals have influenced me in powerful ways. People like Michael Torrence, president of Motlow State Community College in Tennessee, participated in a powerful documentary showcasing how STEM programming in rural communities can transform the lives of under-resourced middle school students and their parents. His work motivates me to work harder to make community college education even more meaningful and accessible to everyone.
Carlene Cassidy, CEO of the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation and a former community college entrepreneurship faculty member and a NACCE founding member, has been a tireless supporter of entrepreneurship education and inspires me daily to take risks and strive for continuous improvement. To me, being a leader is about surrounding yourself with smart, passionate people who share your vision. I have certainly had the opportunity to do that at NACCE.
What does inclusive leadership mean to you, and why is it important?
To me, inclusive leadership means embracing new people, ideas, and experiences through an entrepreneurial mindset. This approach transforms challenges into opportunities, encourages calculated risks, and fosters collaborations with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. It also involves learning from failures and using them as stepping stones for growth. Embracing failure is one of our greatest learning tools. Inclusion to me is a foundational value of the community college system. Community colleges are committed to open access, ensuring that all individuals from all backgrounds can learn, grow, and thrive.
What advice would you give to other inclusive leaders?
My advice is to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and explore collaborations that can enhance their leadership style. By seeking out and embracing diverse perspectives, leaders can create transformative change and foster environments where everyone can thrive.
They can do this in several ways. For example, NACCE and its workforce development platform SkillPointe, whose mission is to increase awareness of skilled trades careers that require focused training but not necessarily a bachelor’s degree, have formed a new program to help students of all ages and backgrounds understand what the career entails, which skills are needed, and what kind of training is required. Creative programs like these help us to lead our organizations to be inclusive and creative.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance, and/or multiply your mission and goals?
Engaging with the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network offers a unique opportunity to gain diverse perspectives and build collaborations that further advance our mission of creating inclusive and innovative environments for all.
What legacy would you like to leave to the world?
I start each day with a practice of gratitude, and I hope to leave a legacy of fostering inclusive environments where a shared humanity of global voices is heard, opportunities are accessible to all, and innovation thrives through collaboration. It is here that innovation thrives. My goal is to ensure that the organizations and communities I serve are better positioned to create meaningful, lasting impact.
You can meet Dr. Rebecca Corbin and the 14 other Honorees at the Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner on June 16th in Denver. Please read our newsletter each day as we continue to announce the 2025 Inclusive Leader Award Winners through January.
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