Higher Learning Commission

Catherine Crosby recently joined the HLC Board of Trustees as a public member. She brings an eye for serving diverse communities and marginalized individuals as chief of staff for the City of Toledo, Ohio. On the lighter side, she also loves to sing and dance, although she claims that she does neither well.

1. When and how did you first learn about accreditation?
   When I started looking for a college. I knew that it was important for me to attend an accredited university in order for my degree to be credible.
2. How do you explain your work with HLC to people who aren’t familiar with accreditation, in 10 words or less?
   HLC ensures students receive quality education by setting baseline standards.
3. Why did you want to get involved with HLC?
   Minority students and students from generational poverty have the greatest benefit from a quality education. A degree from a well-respected institution can be a game changer for them and change the trajectory for them and the generations that follow. My own personal story is proof that a good education not only improved my economic wellbeing but my daughter's as well. Serving on the HLC board allows me to further contribute to creating equitable access to quality education.
4. What aspects of your background will be particularly helpful in your Trustee work with HLC?
   Previously, I worked for Wright State University in the Center for Urban and Public Affairs. Part of my role was to oversee the internship and graduate assistantship programs, both instrumental to students gaining practical experience to compliment their education. Understanding the importance of this practical experience throughout my career, I have partnered with higher education to provide opportunities for students to work for organizations I have led. In my current position, we are pursuing partnerships with regional colleges and universities to recruit interns with the intent of hiring them permanently. I believe my experience working in a university setting and supporting students’ practical experience will be helpful as we consider how institutions are supporting their students’ academic success. I also believe my background in diversity, equity and inclusion will be informative as we consider access to education for underserved populations in the accreditation process.
5. What do you hope to gain from your role as a Trustee?
   I hope to learn more about the accreditation process and about the many institutions that are educating our up-and-coming leaders. I also look forward to developing new relationships with board colleagues throughout the region.
6. What do you enjoy most about volunteer activities?
   I enjoy the satisfaction of helping others, meeting new people, and learning new skills. Volunteering provides hands-on experience that can be useful to the work that I do everyday as a public administrator. It gives me an opportunity to be exposed to different ways of thinking and provides personal and professional development.
7. How do you find the time to volunteer with HLC Board of Trustees?
   As an empty nester, I have extra time to commit to causes that are important to me. I've made a conscious decision to volunteer and/or support organizations with missions that advance opportunities for all. Understanding the demands of my full-time position, I am selective of the volunteer roles I accept so that I am able to commit the time. Because I enjoy volunteering with organizations that align with my values and how I want to give back to the community, I don't mind dedicating a few extra hours a week to support worthwhile missions.
8. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
   I loved numbers so I thought I wanted to be an accountant. I wasn't exposed to professional careers, so I wasn't aware of the many opportunities available to me. I did always know that I wanted to work in an office. Instead of playing house, my sisters and I played office. While I'm not an accountant, I believe my accounting degree has helped me as an administrator.
9. What is your greatest career or life achievement so far?

   My greatest life achievement is my daughter. I recently told her I'm most proud of who she is as a person. No matter what she accomplishes, she is a beautiful, smart, hardworking and compassionate young woman. She is everything I wished for in a child, and I look forward to what she offers to the world.

   My greatest career accomplishment thus far is a close tie between my current role and my previous work. In my previous role as the executive director of the Human Relations Council, I was responsible for enforcing the City of Dayton's anti-discrimination ordinances. This included providing economic opportunities for disadvantaged businesses and ensuring that protected classes were treated fairly with access to housing and employment and working with financial institutions to ensure equitable investments were being made in vulnerable communities.

   As the chief of staff for the City of Toledo, I have been delegated responsibilities of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city and operationalizing the mayor’s strategic plan. This has included investing in our workforce by providing clarity of roles and responsibilities; strengthening our anti-discrimination policies to ensure the investigation process is unbiased and legitimate; securing funding for a disparity study to provide guidance that will increase procurement opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses; and increasing investment in targeted neighborhoods to address blight and reduce crime.

   I am now co-leading development of a community strategy to address root causes of poverty and structural racism, which has created systemic barriers to upward mobility for many Toledo residents. The cross-sector collaboration will be critical to the future health and economic vitality of the city.

10. What are you most looking forward to as you start your term with HLC?
    I'm looking forward to learning more about the diverse institutions responsible for developing our next generation of leaders, meeting and learning from my board colleagues and offering a diverse perspective on accreditation.