Facing Challenges With Resolve And Humor
Gail Carberry
Title: President
Company: Quinsigamond Community College
Location: Worcester
Gail Carberry knows community colleges. That’s because she was a student of one during her early academic career. After overcoming an undiagnosed learning disability, she went on to earn a bachelor’s, a master’s and a doctorate. She’s led the school through a tremendous period of growth, which has included the opening of a satellite branch in Southbridge.
Who is your most influential role model, and why?
My most influential role models are community college students. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences—many of them challenging. Yet they persevere, despite financial worries, despite language barriers, despite the balancing of work and school and family responsibilities. They are courageous. They take risks to reach a better circumstance. Over 800 QCC students are disabled; about 6,000 of our students are economically challenged; several hundred are not native English-speakers. They all inspire me.
My own educational pathway was challenging. As an individual with learning disabilities that went undiagnosed throughout grade school, I am indebted to my mother who tutored me regularly and encouraged me to persevere. My mother herself persevered through a lifetime of debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. She inspired me to move forward and to never run from challenges.
Why are you good at what you do?
I’m good at what I do because I’ve married my passion for community college students with relevant educational attainment and experience. I believe that work in a community college is a “calling” and not just a job. My passion for the work is based in my belief that education is the great equalizer. It is through education that ordinary people are able to live extraordinary lives.
I’m an optimist. I face each day with a belief that the challenges we face are not insurmountable and that we can find ways to deliver on our commitments. I am resourceful and creative and I challenge my teams at QCC to find ways to make things happen.
How does your organization give back to the community and what role have you played in those efforts?
Every QCC graduate represents an individual who is prepared to contribute substantially not only to the quality of his or her own life, but collectively to the quality of life in Central Massachusetts.
We provide an educated workforce in human services, in early childhood education, in criminal justice and fire science and in a range of allied health and dental fields. Our graduates are guardians and protectors of the community.
We also offer adult education and English-as-a-second-language instruction to hundreds of local residents each year. On a wider scale, QCC offers free dental screenings and sealants to school children in Worcester.
I believe it is essential to lead by example. I serve on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Some of our students have joined me there each semester for volunteer activities.
When the stress level gets too high, what’s your secret remedy?
I am a spiritual person and I am always counting my blessings. One of those blessings is a supportive husband. We take enormous joy in our ability to raise our 10-year-old grandson since the passing of his mother seven years ago. Having lost a child and faced that significant emotional loss head on, I have emerged with a profound sense of courage. Very little frightens me anymore. That is not to say that I do not feel stress, but that I do have a strong history against which to reflect on matters and to put issues into perspective. I know the difference between a problem and an inconvenience.
I take my work seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously. I have a national reputation for writing and singing satirical songs about community college issues, and have sung those songs at dozens of national conferences. Humor is good for the soul.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life?
I try to include my husband and my grandson in the fun of being part of Quinsigamond Community College. We love to attend the QCC sporting events. My grandson Brendan has participated with me in charity fundraisers for QCC efforts in the community. He proudly wears his QCC apparel. Every night as he says his prayers before going to sleep, Brendan and I ask for God’s blessing on his favorite sports teams including the QCC Wyverns.
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