Tim Ambrose and Emily Cash each had different, winding pathways to advancement—but today, both say that community fuels their work, especially amid challenges and change.
“I think we’ve all had a tough past year and a half,” says Ambrose, alumni relations manager at Fanshawe College in Ontario, Canada. For him, connecting with alumni, staff, and “like-minded colleagues is more valuable now than ever before.”
Cash, who is the grants and donor relations manager at Bismarck State College in North Dakota, U.S., sees generosity and kindness in the grants community.
‘In a world that’s go, go, go, recharging our batteries with those that offer their support and lift each other up are things that we all need right now,” she says. Cash and Ambrose share more about connection-building, careers, and working with volunteers for CASE’s upcoming community college seminars.
Tim Ambrose, alumni relations manager at Fanshawe College, Ontario, Canada, chair of the Seminar Series for Community College Advancement
Emily Cash, grants and donor relations manager at Bismarck State College, North Dakota, U.S., chair of the Seminar Series for Community College Grant Professionals
How did you make your way to advancement?
Timothy Ambrose: My career path has been interesting to say the least. My first role was in in the private sector in sales and marketing with a large faucet manufacturer. From there, I returned to my post-secondary roots at a large four-year university in Ontario in several roles, including with their student union, in housing and in community outreach. When I had the opportunity to jump to Fanshawe College, my alma mater, and work within the alumni field, I leapt. That was nine years ago. Now, as Manager of Alumni Relations, I spend my days connecting with graduates, sharing their stories of success, and helping them find meaningful ways to re-connect with the college.
Emily Cash: As in all good career moves, I stumbled into my current role after taking an enjoyable and winding path. Mine started with the United States Peace Corps, then to the private sector at an energy company doing education, corporate philanthropy, and event planning, and then into the community college world serving several years as project director for large federal grant programs. After my grant projects came to a close, I was fortunate to transition to my current role as Grants and Donor Relations Manager, thanks to my years of experience with communications and project management, as well as an excellent mentor who helped me develop my strengths along the way. I give much credit for this great career path to my volunteer experience in the Peace Corps, which provided me with the foundation to always be ready for an adventure, expect the unexpected, and find common ground with everyone I meet.
What do you love most about your work?
TA: It's all about the people for me, both those that I work with on a daily basis as well as those that I get to meet through my role. Our graduates are so interesting. They have often achieved great things in their careers yet remain humbled and, in many cases, surprised that the institution would be interested in them and what they're doing. I find their humility, energy, and perspectives inspiring.
EC: In my role at the college, I write grants, handle compliance, and manage our grants portfolio, all of which allow me to work with many departments across campus on a variety of projects. It’s allowed me to dabble in all sorts of areas: strategic planning, academic programs, operations, student services, the list goes on and on and every day is different. It’s a great view from my vantage point: taking an idea from an “I wish” meeting to pen and paper, to the joy of successful funding, through grant start-up to closeout, and finally to see that my efforts help our college work towards its mission of student success.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve received?
EC: Some of the best advice I’ve received has been to refocus my effort on what I can do within my circle of influence, and not spin myself around on things out of my control. My boss told me that many years ago, and I’m grateful that she still reminds me of that once in a while when the busyness of the day turns into the week, turns into the month, turns into the year…
You’re both CASE conference chairs—Tim for our Seminar Series for Community College Advancement and Emily for our Seminar Series for Community College Grant Professionals. What have you enjoyed about working with volunteers to plan these programs?
TA: The opportunity to connect and learn from such a diverse, experienced, and accomplished group of people is very exciting. When I look at the committee, I feel so lucky to be a part of it. The connections that I'll be able to create and the learning opportunities that will come from my involvement with this organizing committee will be tremendous to say the least.
Amid challenges and change, what do you see as an opportunity for community college professionals now?
EC: Any of my colleagues could attest to the fact that the world of grants has been astoundingly hectic this past year. It’s been full of incredible opportunity, but it has carried on at a frenzied pace. That makes the seminar series this fall a prime time to disconnect from the everyday work at the office for a few hours, network with your colleagues, and spend some time on our own professional growth.
TA: I think we've all had a tough past year and a half. The world has changed, there is no doubt, and our field is no different. The opportunity to connect with and learn from like-minded colleagues is more valuable now than ever before.