"A Letter and A Legacy

 Peg Connell, this year’s recipient of FL AHEAD’s Performance Excellence Award, was asked about the journey she has taken to this point in her life that has had such a big impact upon her colleagues throughout the State of Florida.  In her characteristically humble way, Peg talked about her good fortune in having opportunities that took her from teaching middle school children at a Catholic School to a Private Industry Council, a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) one-stop center, to St. Pete College with a few twists and turns along the way (such as learning Italian in Italy or helping poor rural families in Guayaquil, Ecuador).  She sees each one an opportunity that she was able to turn into a rewarding experience.  Her original role at St. Pete was serving low-socioeconomic populations; disability was not part of her direct work experience or degrees which were in sociology and education.  In fact, Peg jokes that she was waiting for them “to find me out.”  Over the years, however, her assignment “morphed” into her current role and eventually becoming a leader in the field in Florida. She has loved her many years at St. Pete and is most grateful for all the support she has received there as she nears her “retirement.”  (But more on that later).

 Peg had never planned to enter the field of postsecondary education and disability.  She marvels at where she finds herself; however, as she discussed aspects of her life, she did remember the time she wrote an essay in high school on the importance of hiring persons with disability.  Perhaps her journey really began having a mom who was disabled but who always was a cheerful inspiration to all those around her.  Peg also recalled a letter she wrote for one Father’s Day thanking her father, who operated a funeral home on the first floor of their home, for the day he called Peg and her four brothers together – all in their pajamas - late one evening.  Here the four children stood next to the bier of a homeless man and were reminded by their father of the dignity and worth of each person as he proceeded to have them all kneel and say a prayer for the man.  It’s easy to see where Peg got her compassion growing up with such a mom and dad, as well as her passion to contribute to the lives of diverse and vulnerable people.

 From that letter to her legacy today, Peg has accomplished so much.  The Narrowing the Gulf Conference was just a notion when Peg came along and turned it into the most important gathering for Florida (and beyond) postsecondary providers who serve students with disabilities as well as other vulnerable populations, especially returning veterans and low-socioeconomic populations.  She was instrumental in the founding of FL-AHEAD and served as its first Vice-President and then President, helping to move the organization forward as a meaningful professional organization that earned national respect and became an Affiliate of AHEAD.  Narrowing the Gulf has also become a vital extension of FL AHEAD thanks to Peg.

 When asked to share some of her professional notions that could guide those of us who are new in the field or just entering our professional domain, Peg offered the following:

 “You have to love what you do or you shouldn’t be in the field.”  She notes that she “could not be happier” doing what she does and feels that “taking one day at a time” and living “in a spirit of gratitude” is not easy but so important.  To her it has been a “blessing and a gift.” That also means caring especially for those around you, your staff.  In fact, when asked to describe that which inspired her, she spoke about members of her staff who may have faced great challenges but who also had the strength to keep pushing forward and went on to achieve that which seemed impossible at one time.  Peg firmly believes that by putting staff first, the students will get the very best of what they need.

 Further, she encourages her newer colleagues to be prepared for the serious challenge of dialoguing with so many different levels of college personnel, sometimes getting engaged in making it clear when something is not as it should be.  Peg also notes that students “need someone to listen to them” and even more than accommodations, its “how we work with them, how we help them to become self advocates - that’s what’s important.”

 And now let’s talk about that “retirement”:  Her definition of the term may not match that of many colleagues, and it actually seems as if Peg is going into “hyperdrive” as she plans to continue to volunteer at the College that she has come to love, learn a new language to help migrant workers, and much, much more.  Those of us who know Peg well and are aware of the enormous challenges (including 3 surgeries!) she has encountered over the last few years, clearly recognize that indefatigable spirit that will reemerge in retirement and continue to help to keep the rest of us inspired for a long, long time to come.

Thanks, Peg!