For four weeks, Austin Community College will talk to the incoming 2019-2020 employee association presidents. We will ask each of them 10 questions to get to know them better.

Our final Q&A in the series features the new Association of Professional-Technical Employees President, Latisha Addison. She has worked in Financial Aid at ACC for nearly six years and has served on various college committees.

1. When did you start working at ACC and in what role?
I began my journey here at ACC January 13, 2014, as the Campus Financial Aid Supervisor at the Riverside Campus. Since then, I have transferred to the Round Rock Campus Financial Aid Office.

2. What additional role(s) at the college have you held (if any)?
I have not had any additional roles at the college, but I have served on several committees, including: Students Rights and Responsibilities, Campus Carry Implementation committee, Black Student Success Committee, and I was a contributor for "A Collaborative Culture" newsletter, which aims to assist with breaking barriers toward a more productive and fulfilling educational experience at ACC.

3. What inspired you to run for president?
I was nominated for the presidency by my peers. I accepted the nomination because as a leader knowing that my peers were trusting me to take on this role was inspiration enough to know that I was more than capable.

4. Where did you grow up? What was it like?
I was born and raised in Killeen, Texas. The experience for me was like no other. I grew up in a military town, even though my family was not military. Killeen has a very diverse population, which allowed me to understand cultures beyond my own. I moved back to the area in 2014 so that my kids would be able to experience the same type of diversity among their peers as I did as a child.

5. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
I believe that everyone should take time out to travel outside of the country. Traveling is one of my favorite pastimes and making sure I get as many stamps in my passport as possible is a plus for me!

6. What do you "geek out" about?
Honestly, I am a nerd at heart. I like to read and learn new things. So I spend much of my evenings watching informative television with my husband and kids.

7. Do you have a motto, mantra, or personal philosophy?
"Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence — neither speed up or slow down, add to nor diminish — it is an imponderable valuable gift." - Maya Angelou

Make the most of your time, accomplish all that you can and, in the process, help others become great as well.

8. What's the biggest lesson you've learned professionally?
I have been in higher education for nearly 16 years, and one thing that I have learned while being in this profession is that not everyone is going to understand your goals. I have learned on many occasions that "leading from behind" helps to accomplish the goals that others don't believe in.

"Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front." - Nelson Mandela

9. What do you believe it takes to help students succeed?
The biggest tool that we can use to help students succeed is to love what we do. As higher education professionals, it is important that we take pride in the work that we do, realizing that what we do to help students today will help to equip them for their future careers and raising their families. We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders and that is helping to change the lives of our future leaders.

10. Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it." - Marian Wright Edelman

Read other Q&As in the series:
Jo Ann Larkins-Foster, Classified Employee Association President
Dr. Missi Patterson, Full-Time Faculty Senate President
Christina Michura, Adjunct Faculty Association President