Lydia (Camara) Dodson, Ed.D.
Wareham,USA
Summary
Accomplished Executive with comprehensive background in strategic planning, policy development and team leadership. Notable strengths include problem-solving abilities, adaptability to change, and offering outstanding communication and cross-cultural team management skills with entrepreneurial attitude for organizational excellence. Ambitious team builder creating strategic alliances with organizational leaders to effectively align with and support key business initiatives. In previous roles, have facilitated effective communication between executive leaders and staff while implementing operational strategies that enhanced overall productivity.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director, Future of Work Institute/ Partnerships & Community Engagement
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
05.2024 - Current
- Serves as the inaugural Executive Director to cultivate collaborative partnerships that enhance workforce development and economic growth initiatives for businesses and industries in the south shore region of Massachusetts
- Develops and delivers events on future workforce trends for the internal and external College community
- Supports and promotes the Institute's events and activities related to statewide and regional workforce development to include, women and entrepreneurial leadership, sustainability and renewable energy, and criminal justice reform
- Oversee the women's leadership initiatives to include the advisory board and event planning activities
- Creates the Future of Work Institute programming promotional materials and marketing strategies in collaboration with college staff
- Works collaboratively with academic divisions to promote credit and non-credit courses and programs that meet the goal of the future work initiatives and economic needs within Massachusetts
- Develops and manages annual budgets for the Institute and related initiatives and partnerships
- Monitors and assesses the effectiveness of the Institute's programs as it relates to the future of workforce trends
- Creates and provides oversight for the Future of Work Advisory Board to include industry, employer, and strategic and community partners
- Cultivates and maintains relationships between organizations and community partners
Chief of Staff/Coordinator of Canton Campus/Associate Vice President of Strategy, Planning & Innovation
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
07.2021 - 05.2024
- Provided leadership and operational oversight to the Office of the President in fulfilling the College's mission and goals and advancing the President's agenda and working with the senior management team to promote collaboration and integration, leadership development, problem analysis, the development of policy and structure, shared governance, transparency, diversity/inclusion and change management
- Additionally, overseeing the areas Enrollment Management Network (Admissions, Testing & Assessment, Registrar, and Enrollment Services) and Institutional Research, served as a key strategist to further strategic direction and innovation leading to student success and organizational excellence
- Served as executive leadership for the Canton Campus and leads all strategic initiatives to promote growth within the catchment area including development of the Entrepreneurial Center and local business incubator programs
- Served as a lead for the development of the Downtown Brockton educational center
- Partnered with the President, Senior Leadership and Cabinet, and collaborating with individuals across campus to actively drive the strategic plan forward
- Represented the President with various constituencies, including the Board of Trustees, management, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and various external entities
- Counseled and advised the President on day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness and optimizing resources, including the management of the budget for the President's Office
- Led, supervised, and evaluated direct reports in the Enrollment Management and Institutional Research divisions
- Collaborated with members of the President's Leadership Team to review, recommend, establish, and implement college plans, goals, policies, and procedures to attract and support enrollment and develop goals and measurable indicators of success
- Actively participated in community, state, and regional activities and organizations to promote and enhance the college's effectiveness and brand
- Oversaw implementation of Accelerated Start semesters to boost declining enrollments due to COVID-19 pandemic
Chief of Staff
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
06.2018 - 05.2024
- In response to reorganization of the President's Cabinet, implemented and managed the President's Advisory Council
- Maintained in-depth knowledge of MA Department/Board of Higher Education Initiatives
- Led the strategic planning process from implementation to approval of the Board of Trustees
- Removed internal obstacles to successfully implement the Preferred Name initiative
- Served as the President's designee for Title IX
- Managed President's Division Budget
- Respond on behalf of the President to inquiries from, and/or issues involving, students, employees, and members of the public
- Oversaw/coordinated presidential transitions in 2018 (interim), 2018 (permanent), 2021 (interim) and 2021 (permanent)
- Served as the presidential liaison to the CONNECT Partnership, a consortium of 6 higher education institutions in Southeastern Massachusetts
Liaison to the Board of Trustees
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
08.2015 - 05.2024
- Worked directly with the Chairman of the Board to promote Board initiatives, created and managed agenda items
- Oversaw the transition of Chair of the Board (2017, 2021, 2023)
- Oversaw all administrative functions including retreat planning and Trustee onboarding
- Ensured compliance with MA General Laws including Open Meeting and Public Record Law
- Developed proposals and bylaw updates
- Served as key contact between the Board of Trustees and the Governor's Office of Trustee Relations
Interim Executive Assistant to the President
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
05.2016 - 06.2018
- Hired, trained, managed, and evaluated the president's office staff assistants
- Served as a member of Cabinet and worked collaboratively with counterparts in the offices of the senior leadership team, ensuring steady and productive communication
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with both internal offices and external state, municipal, and community organizations
- Created, reviewed, and edited all college collateral information including newsletters, announcements, and invitations
Staff Associate, President's Office
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Coordinated complex calendars, including room and venue booking and travel arrangements
- Prepared and reviewed correspondence for president's signature
- Created and collected relevant meeting agendas and materials
- Managed institution-wide projects and events including the annual gala fundraiser
- Managed VIP attendees for major institutional events including commencement, fundraising, and public-facing events
- Created and managed electronic filing systems
Research Analyst
Factory Mutual Insurance Company (FM Global)
Johnston, RI
08.2007 - 09.2014
- Company Overview: A Fortune 500 company, Factory Mutual Insurance, provides commercial and industrial property/casualty insurance and risk management services
- Served as an integral member on several key corporate committees of a Fortune 1000 company reporting to executive management
- Provided strategic insights by understanding operating procedures and conducting workflow research
- Lead and conducted qualitative and quantitative research studies and reported actionable recommendations
- Designed, tracked and reported key metrics to measure key performance indicators success
- Designed and implemented inter-departmental market research database
- Developed and managed the market research internship program
- A Fortune 500 company, Factory Mutual Insurance, provides commercial and industrial property/casualty insurance and risk management services
Associate Product Manager
North Safety Products
Cranston, RI
07.2006 - 08.2007
- Company Overview: North Safety Products was an industry leader in Air Purifying Respirators (APRs), protective footwear, protective headgear, firefighter turnout gear, high-voltage sleeves and gloves, and arc flash protection
- Managed projects from initial vision to strategic planning and assigned tactical activities to deliver projects on time and within budget
- Provided guidance, leadership and support to team members responsible for project delivery
- Collaborated with key members of cross-functional teams to develop and achieve appropriate timelines for successful project completion
- North Safety Products was an industry leader in Air Purifying Respirators (APRs), protective footwear, protective headgear, firefighter turnout gear, high-voltage sleeves and gloves, and arc flash protection
Executive Assistant
North Safety Products
Cranston, RI
09.2001 - 07.2006
- Company Overview: North Safety Products was an industry leader in Air Purifying Respirators (APRs), protective footwear, protective headgear, firefighter turnout gear, high-voltage sleeves and gloves, and arc flash protection
- Coordinated and maintained daily activities for the CEO, COO, and General Manager, as well as Senior Management
- Drafted legal documentation for corporate merger and acquisition activity
- Created financial reports and presentations for the Board of Directors
- Developed and maintained daily sales and financial reports
- North Safety Products was an industry leader in Air Purifying Respirators (APRs), protective footwear, protective headgear, firefighter turnout gear, high-voltage sleeves and gloves, and arc flash protection
Executive Assistant to the President
Elizabeth Webbing Mills
Central Falls, RI
08.2000 - 09.2001
- Company Overview: Once a leading manufacturer of textiles in the United States, Elizabeth Webbing Mills filed for Chapter 11 and subsequent Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in 2001
- Liaised between employees and executive management in all employment issues
- Effectively and efficiently managed daily activities of the CEO and CFO
- Coordinated legal documentation during Chapter 11 proceedings
- Responsible for daily financial reporting
- Once a leading manufacturer of textiles in the United States, Elizabeth Webbing Mills filed for Chapter 11 and subsequent Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in 2001
Executive Assistant/Administrative Department Team Leader
BGS Systems/BMC Software
Waltham, MA
07.1996 - 08.2000
- Company Overview: BMC Software, a former Fortune 1000 company, is a prominent provider of business management software
- Successfully developed a team of administrators who effectively and efficiently supported the Research and Development division of a Fortune 1000 company
- Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget
- Responsible for report creation and generation
- Coordinated and managed senior management activities and agendas
- BMC Software, a former Fortune 1000 company, is a prominent provider of business management software
Education
Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership
Johnson & Wales University
05.2022
Master of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Management
Johnson & Wales University
05.2007
Some College (No Degree) - Theatre Arts
Bristol Community College
Fall River, MASkills
- Strategic planning and development
- Board relations
- Operational planning
- Relationship building
- Community engagement
- Program leadership
- Government relations
- Business development
- Leadership development
- Project management
- Marketing and Communications strategy
- Partnership development
- Event planning and promotion
Leadership Highlights
- Member, President's Cabinet, 2016 - 2024
- Co-chair, Strategic Planning Task Force, 2018 - 2019
- Member, Opening Doors Capital Campaign Steering Committee, 2023 - 2024
- Liaison, Massasoit Community College Board of Trustees, 2023 - 2024
- Coordinator, Presidential Search Committee, 2015 - Present
- Chair, College Governance Executive Committee, 2020 & 2017
- Presidential Liaison, CONNECT Partnership, 2019 - 2024
- Presidential Liaison, CONNECT Partnership, 2018 - 2024
Community Service
Board Member, Old Colony YMCA, 01/01/23, Present
Certificates Professional Development
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) - Social & Behavioral Research, 01/01/21
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) - Social & Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research, 01/01/21
- Fellow, Emerging Leaders Program, Center for Collaborative Leadership, University of Massachusetts Boston, 01/01/18
- Certificate of Completion, CONNECT Key Talent Leadership Program, Bridgewater State University, 04/01/17
Teaching Presenting Experience
- Northeastern Educational Research Association Conference, Presenter, Session Chair, 01/01/23
- Johnson & Wales University Higher Ed Doctoral Program, Guest Lecturer, 01/01/23, Present
- Massasoit Community College Commonwealth Honors Program, Guest Lecturer, 01/01/22
Timeline
Executive Director, Future of Work Institute/ Partnerships & Community Engagement
Massasoit Community College
05.2024 - Current
Chief of Staff/Coordinator of Canton Campus/Associate Vice President of Strategy, Planning & Innovation
Massasoit Community College
07.2021 - 05.2024
Chief of Staff
Massasoit Community College
06.2018 - 05.2024
Interim Executive Assistant to the President
Massasoit Community College
05.2016 - 06.2018
Liaison to the Board of Trustees
Massasoit Community College
08.2015 - 05.2024
Staff Associate, President's Office
Massasoit Community College
09.2014 - 05.2016
Research Analyst
Factory Mutual Insurance Company (FM Global)
08.2007 - 09.2014
Associate Product Manager
North Safety Products
07.2006 - 08.2007
Executive Assistant
North Safety Products
09.2001 - 07.2006
Executive Assistant to the President
Elizabeth Webbing Mills
08.2000 - 09.2001
Executive Assistant/Administrative Department Team Leader
BGS Systems/BMC Software
07.1996 - 08.2000
Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership
Johnson & Wales University
Master of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Management
Johnson & Wales University
Some College (No Degree) - Theatre Arts
Bristol Community College
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