Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber is the tenth president, and first female, to head the 138-year-old Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Saint Augustine's College is one of eleven historically black colleges and a university located in North Carolina and was the "growing up turf" for Sadie and Bessie Delany of "Having Our Say" fame. Suber's story is a source of inspiration for every woman searching for the right moment and opportunity to realize a dream, refine a goal, implement a plan, or fulfill an ambition.

Suber's journey toward a college presidency began sitting around the dinner table listening to her mother, a kindergarten teacher in Florida A and M University's laboratory school, telling stories of the antics of her young students. Her mother's passion for the day-to-day activities of her charges generated an excitement for teaching and a respect for children that has guided her decisions throughout her career. She followed her mother's lead, earning a degree in early childhood education from Hampton (Institute) University and began this sojourn as a first grade teacher in Greensboro, North Carolina. As the youngest teacher on staff by 23 years, and as only one of four African American teachers on staff during the first year of mass busing in Greensboro, Suber credits that experience for igniting her role as an advocate for children.

with First Lady Laura Bush

"The transition from segregation to integration was very difficult for adults and children alike," she says, " and I think I helped both groups better understand the dynamics - although, admittedly, not without some pain and hurt feelings along the way."

After receiving her Masters degree from the University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign, Suber accepted a position as lead kindergarten teacher in Newport News, Virginia. This appointment came two years after the Newport News school system was forced by court order to integrate its schools and Suber found herself, once again, serving as an advocate for teachers and students in transition. Over the course of her journey, Suber assumed administrative and leadership roles as both middle school and elementary school principals and director of alternative education programs. She served as a consultant to several national education organizations in a variety of areas including diversity training. For several years she authored a children's page and wrote a column on societal issues for the New Journal and Guide Newspaper, the nation's third oldest African American newspaper. She sampled just a bit of college life when she agreed to teach graduate courses in the areas of curriculum development and supervision and administration.

A chance meeting with William R. Harvey, President of Hampton University, presented Suber with a new direction, one she admits she had never seriously considered - a chance to move into Higher Education. Never one to reject new opportunities and, always the consummate risk taker, Suber cautiously left the well known environment of public school administration and stepped into the demands of college administration when she accepted the position of Dean of Administrative Services, a position that offered her the chance to provide leadership for admissions, financial aid, and the office of the registrar.

"I was totally out of my comfort zone" she admits, “and two weeks before I assumed the position, the Director of Financial Aid QUIT! There was no time for a learning curve."

Suber acknowledges that Dr. Harvey positioned and mentored her, so that she could experience and participate in nearly every aspect of college administration. "He made sure that I was a PRACTICING administrator - not just behind the desk decision making; but that I had the opportunity to apply everything I learned and fix the things I screwed up." Over the next seven years, Suber served in the roles of

• Assistant Provost,
• Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs,
• liaison to the General Assembly,
• Director of the Self Study for Accreditation,
• chairman of a wide range of committees including those that focused on
  student, academic, athletic, and judicial affairs,
• and finally Vice President for Administration.

Dr. Suber crowning Miss Saint Augustine's College, Octavia Jones.

Before making the decision to apply for the presidency of Saint Augustine's College, Suber drove to the campus with two colleagues to see if Saint Augustine's College would be a good fit. "I didn't just want to be a President; I wanted to be in an environment where I could build and make a difference. We spent the day on the campus talking to students, visiting offices, walking the campus and learning about the history and feeling the atmosphere." It felt like the right place and many would agree that Suber has been the right person at the right time for Saint Augustine's College.

Dr. Suber with St. Augustine's football players

Finishing up her fifth year as president of the esteemed college, Suber's vision and tenacity has resulted in notable achievements and accomplishments of goals. In spite of some resistance to change, Suber has held steadfast in staying the course designed to improve and enhance the status of the college among peer institutions. "I think we've met most of our goals," she says,

Dr. Suber with Olympic Coach George Williams, Saint Augustine's College Athletic Director.

"We've addressed many of the infrastructure issues; we've met the standards of accreditation and been reaffirmed for ten years; the college has completed the most rigorous scrutiny of its financial status ever and been found to be stable and solvent; both retention and graduation rates have improved significantly and enrollment is at an all time high.We reinstated the football program after a 37-year hiatus and our track program continues to garner international acclaim. We've introduced four new majors of study and expanded our overall visibility across the country." The College has plans for new construction and expects to break ground for both a new athletic complex and residence community in the spring.

In addition to Dr. Harvey, Suber recognizes her dad who died three years ago as her first and primary mentor. But she credits a third mentor, the late Dr. Effie Jones for starting her with her collection of turtles of which Suber now has over 300. "Effie called me a risk taker and she gave me my first turtle because she said, 'the turtle is the sign of the risk taker - in order to progress, you must be willing to stick your neck out and put your tail on the line.'" Turtles are as much a part of her wardrobe and home as they are her personal and professional mantra.

When its all said and done, Suber's greatest strength is her ability to make a difference for students. Through the years she says she has helped students get in and stay in school whether it was in the second grade or as college seniors. She is committed to using her position and authority to help students succeed. "Principal or President, there's not much difference. . . its all about the kids."