District Winners

2026 District 1 Pacesetter

Dr. David Podell
President
MassBay Community College
Massachusetts

Why is it important for college leadership to support its marketing and communications department?

The college’s reputation is important to its success. People need to know who we are, what we do and how successfully we do it. We need to be understood, have strong enrollment and establish good public relations. Marketing and communications contributes enormously to all these efforts.

I hope I’ve supported them through providing the resources they need and by giving them time and attention when they need it. I view myself as a resource for them in terms of problem solving, responding to interview requests and other guidance and suggestions as requested.

How have you helped advance community/technical colleges on a regional or national level?

In my time as president, I have actively worked with our legislators to promote community colleges, in particular to promote free community colleges. I also advocate for more resources for community colleges in general and try to garner appreciation for the role community colleges play as the state strives to meet workforce needs and promote economic prosperity.

I’ve also worked with chambers of commerce, businesses and partner institutions to highlight the value of the community college and the skills and preparedness of their graduates.

Who is someone who’s mentored you during your career? What’s a piece of advice or story they’ve shared that you carry with you?

I was mentored by Mirella Affron, a woman who was a dean when I was a faculty member. She was later a provost when I was a dean at the College of Staten Island in New York. She had an enormous impact on my approach to academic leadership. She modeled a style that focused very much on consultation with faculty, holding high standards and seeking out opportunities for the college’s advancement.

One piece of advice she gave me was to be persistent. Because you may fail at something this go-around, but if you keep it alive and keep working on it, it will eventually happen.

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