A Leader Who’s Still Eager to Learn

Don’t tell Linda Stevens leaders are born, not made.

The dean of health professions and director of nursing at Golden West College has been chosen to participate in the National Institute for Leadership Development LEADERS 2000 program for administrators and faculty in higher education.

The yearlong, international program includes a week of training and discussion about community college issues and a project to hone skills needed for major decision-making roles at their institutions.

Stevens, of Cerritos, said she was honored to be selected and after only one day of training felt she had a better understanding of what can stimulate or stymie growth for community college students.

“We need to be responsive to social issues and changes in the makeup of our communities. We need to be open to changes,” said Stevens, who also serves on a statewide nursing advisory board and a regional consortium.

Working in a doctoral program at Pepperdine University, Stevens holds a master’s degree in nursing from Cal State Los Angeles and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. She’s an active member of the Associate Degree Nursing Directors of California and is treasurer of the Orange County-Long Beach Consortium for Nursing. Since 1992, she’s served on the advisory board of Strategic Planning for Nursing in California.