Editor’s Note (revised Mar. 27): Zenobia Garrison’s title has been corrected to reflect that she is Montgomery College’s chapter president of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.
Some see leadership as climbing a ladder. But for many women at Montgomery College, it’s about creating opportunities beyond titles and prestige.
Women faculty and students gathered to explore the notion of leadership at a Feb. 18 meet and greet featuring women leaders at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.
Moderated by Zenobia Garrison, president of MC’s American Association for Women in Community Colleges, the Q&A session featured Fiona Glade, acting campus dean, who guided the audience through personal challenges and outsider perceptions she faced on her leadership journey.
Glade’s reflections offered a glimpse into the personal experiences that shaped her leadership style during the Q&A.
Raised in a traditional household in the United Kingdom, Glade initially did not envision herself in higher education.
“Nobody in my family had been to college, and I had never even thought about going to college,” she said. “I wasn’t really raised to be a breadwinner.”
As a first-generation college student and immigrant, Glade described her journey into leadership through opportunities she embraced along the way.
“I was 33 when I started community college,” she said. “I had a friend who told me to sign up and take some classes. And I thought, ‘well, maybe I could be an English teacher,’ so I signed up for English class because I liked reading.”
Glade’s career path was anything but linear. From being a single mom and administrative assistant to working as a professor and assistant department chair, she continuously built leadership skills.
“I have a leadership position here, but there are so many people who know so much more than I do,” she said. “I was still learning leadership methods by trusting teammates and understanding how to work with a group and the importance of somebody having confidence in you.”
Glade also said leadership wasn’t about reaching the top rung of a ladder but creating a solid step for others to stand on—one built through small, intentional actions that leave a legacy of influence.
The concept of gaining leadership through unconventional paths was not just an afterthought at the meet and greet.
For nursing major Adebola Adeyemi, leadership is more than personal success.
As an immigrant from Nigeria, Adeyemi explained that the meet and greet offered a sense of community for those who understand the unique challenges of balancing new opportunities with cultural identity.
“Listening to women with similar backgrounds as myself, coming to spaces where sometimes you’re not given a voice, but then you go ahead to own up spaces—you get to become something bigger,” she said.
Adeyemi also said that hearing Glade’s story of resilience reinforced her belief that leadership is cultivated through action and shared experiences.
Glade’s leadership philosophy resonated with many, including Tykesha Reed, IT faculty member and director of AAWCC Region 2, who emphasized leading through action, not title.
She highlighted the importance of building community and providing opportunities for others to thrive.
“AAWCC reinforced that leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about leading from where you are,” Reed said. “While my job title may not
explicitly define me as a leader, I am actively leading, driving meaningful work forward, and making a lasting impact.”
Her approach to leadership connected with attendees from seasoned professionals to students honing leadership skills.
Garrison said that Glade’s anecdotes are reminders that leadership can come from unexpected places.
“Fiona’s journey demonstrates that leadership is not always a one-size-fits-all,” she said. “It’s about showing up, embracing vulnerability, and using your experiences to build up others. That’s the kind of leadership we want to cultivate—where every story matters and every voice has a place.”
For Adeyemi, leadership is about making room for others to grow and building steps for future leaders to stand on.
“Keep an open mind coming to the role as someone who is willing to learn,” she said. “I also want this for myself and for the women who come after me.”
For more information about the AAWCC-MC chapter and upcoming events, visit AAWCC-MC and AAWCC-MC Events.
