{"id":1003,"date":"2020-02-07T16:52:51","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T16:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/2020\/02\/07\/httpswwwhqpressorgblog-2202027judy-olian-town-relations-amp-upcoming-changes-title-will-be-changing\/"},"modified":"2020-09-05T19:20:38","modified_gmt":"2020-09-05T19:20:38","slug":"httpswwwhqpressorgblog-2202027judy-olian-town-relations-amp-upcoming-changes-title-will-be-changing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/2020\/02\/07\/httpswwwhqpressorgblog-2202027judy-olian-town-relations-amp-upcoming-changes-title-will-be-changing\/","title":{"rendered":"President Olian reflects on her first year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div\n        class=\"\n          image-block-outer-wrapper\n          layout-caption-below\n          design-layout-inline\n          combination-animation-none\n          individual-animation-none\n          individual-text-animation-none\n        \"\n        data-test=\"image-block-inline-outer-wrapper\"\n    ><\/p>\n<figure\n            class=\"\n              sqs-block-image-figure\n              intrinsic\n            \"\n            style=\"max-width:1813.0px;\"\n        ><\/p>\n<div\n              \n                style=\"padding-bottom:132.3772735595703%;\"\n              \n              class=\"\n                image-block-wrapper\n                \n          \n        \n                has-aspect-ratio\n              \"\n              data-animation-role=\"image\"\n              \n  \n\n          ><br \/>\n            <noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/20180601-JudyOlian-K7B4303-%281%29.jpg\" alt=\"President Judy Olian. Courtesy: Quinnipiac University\" \/><\/noscript><img class=\"thumb-image\" data-src=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/20180601-JudyOlian-K7B4303-%281%29.jpg\" data-image=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/20180601-JudyOlian-K7B4303-%281%29.jpg\" data-image-dimensions=\"1813x2400\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"President Judy Olian. Courtesy: Quinnipiac University\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"5e4177a3e14ad269a8408335\" data-type=\"image\" \/>\n          <\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-caption\">\n<p class=\"\">President Judy Olian. Courtesy: Quinnipiac University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">HAMDEN, Conn. &#8212; In 2018, Judy Olian moved from her home in California to Hamden, Conn. to accept her leadership role as president of Quinnipiac University. Since the move, she has embraced change and is working to improve the university in many different areas, such as student education and community relations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cWhat I\u2019ve come to so appreciate here is the agility and nimbleness around change,\u201d President Olian said. \u201cIf you\u2019re an institution that can really turn on a dime, and I\u2019m not saying we can turn on a dime, but it\u2019s a hell of a lot faster than what was possible at the University of California. It\u2019s a tremendous advantage and asset.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">Since beginning her tenure at Quinnipiac, President Olian has developed a strategic plan to better the university. This plan involves four pillars, including preparing students for careers in the 21st century, developing inclusive excellence, improving the wellbeing of the community and fostering lifelong learning and connections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">&nbsp;\u201cI think the community embraced the change and the strategic plan,\u201d  Olian said. \u201cHook, line and sinker really embraced it. There\u2019s an aura of excitement around change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">In order to develop strategies to improve aspects of a university that was so new to her, President Olian spent her first few months simply listening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cIf you\u2019re able to listen, you\u2019ll learn an awful lot,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, I tried to do that. I went around and met with the deans, the staff, the student groups, the government, and tried to see what people loved about Quinnipiac and where they saw opportunities. That formed the basis for our strategic planning process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">&nbsp;Also included in the plan are new fields of study, such as environmental sciences, and an increase in data analytics across the curriculum to ensure students are data-savvy entering the 21st century workforce.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">Although President Olian is focused on student education, her focus on student wellbeing is just as intense. She announced that the university has plans to launch a large wellness center in order to take care of both cognitive and emotional readiness in students, in addition to career readiness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cThe wellbeing center is going to be facilitated by physical fitness facilities, a wellness service center and programming,\u201d Olian said. \u201cWhatever it is that you need as a healthy foundation for life, we want this to be a part of the foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">&nbsp;Another substantial announcement made during her presidency was the reveal of the Rocky Top Pub on the York Hill Campus. She believes the pub will improve social interaction between students and alumni.<\/p>\n<div\n        class=\"\n          image-block-outer-wrapper\n          layout-caption-below\n          design-layout-inline\n          combination-animation-none\n          individual-animation-none\n          individual-text-animation-none\n        \"\n        data-test=\"image-block-inline-outer-wrapper\"\n    ><\/p>\n<figure\n            class=\"\n              sqs-block-image-figure\n              intrinsic\n            \"\n            style=\"max-width:2500.0px;\"\n        ><\/p>\n<div\n              \n                style=\"padding-bottom:66.66666412353516%;\"\n              \n              class=\"\n                image-block-wrapper\n                \n          \n        \n                has-aspect-ratio\n              \"\n              data-animation-role=\"image\"\n              \n  \n\n          ><br \/>\n            <noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/12_image-asset.jpg\" alt=\"The current interior of the future Rocky Top bar, On the Rocks. Credit: Peter O\u2019 Neill\" \/><\/noscript><img class=\"thumb-image\" data-src=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/12_image-asset.jpg\" data-image=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/12_image-asset.jpg\" data-image-dimensions=\"2500x1667\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"The current interior of the future Rocky Top bar, On the Rocks. Credit: Peter O\u2019 Neill\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"5e3e01d32e50ae04a9616e63\" data-type=\"image\" \/>\n          <\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-caption\">\n<p class=\"\"><em>The current interior of the future Rocky Top bar, On the Rocks. Credit: Peter O\u2019 Neill<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cThere will be games in the People\u2019s United Center. Having a beer if you\u2019re of age or just grabbing food if you\u2019re not is a part of college,\u201d Olian said. \u201cYou learn every time you connect socially. We also want people to have fun at Quinnipiac, and this is a part of having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">The atmosphere of new leadership and change is felt not only by President Olian but by members of the student body. Junior Student Government Vice President Sophia Marshall believes President Olian has made a huge impact on the culture of the campus and the administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cShe makes it a point to really engage with the student body and in student events,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cI think she\u2019s come in with a really great plan to renovate the school within the next five to 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">Marshall immersed herself into student government during her first year at Quinnipiac. At that time, former president John Lahey was in charge. However, she says she already sees differences between the two leaders.<\/p>\n<div\n        class=\"\n          image-block-outer-wrapper\n          layout-caption-below\n          design-layout-inline\n          combination-animation-none\n          individual-animation-none\n          individual-text-animation-none\n        \"\n        data-test=\"image-block-inline-outer-wrapper\"\n    ><\/p>\n<figure\n            class=\"\n              sqs-block-image-figure\n              intrinsic\n            \"\n            style=\"max-width:307.0px;\"\n        ><\/p>\n<div\n              \n                style=\"padding-bottom:263.3561706542969%;\"\n              \n              class=\"\n                image-block-wrapper\n                \n          \n        \n                has-aspect-ratio\n              \"\n              data-animation-role=\"image\"\n              \n  \n\n          ><br \/>\n            <noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/resized.png\" alt=\"Quinnipiac\u2019s economic contribution. Credit: Samantha Bousquet\" \/><\/noscript><img class=\"thumb-image\" data-src=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/resized.png\" data-image=\"http:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/resized.png\" data-image-dimensions=\"307x768\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"Quinnipiac\u2019s economic contribution. Credit: Samantha Bousquet\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"5e3e102f5af4111d70c39c15\" data-type=\"image\" \/>\n          <\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-caption\">\n<p class=\"\"><em>Quinnipiac\u2019s economic contribution. Credit: Samantha Bousquet<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cWhile President Lahey had a great tenure, he wasn\u2019t as responsive to students towards the end,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cShe\u2019s come and created an immense, positive impact on the campus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">In addition to working on Quinnipiac-focused initiatives, President Olian is determined to build a stronger connection with the surrounding communities of Hamden and North Haven.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cI think we\u2019re crossing that rubicon and people are starting to see the value that Quinnipiac brings,\u201d Olian said. \u201cObviously, it\u2019s tremendous economic value.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">According to the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, Quinnipiac contributed over $3.1 billion to the Connecticut economy in 2017. Students themselves spent nearly $100 million in the surrounding community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">Although the economic contribution is substantial, some Hamden residents do not enjoy the experience of living in a college town, which is something Olian has realized.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cI think that sometimes there\u2019s a little bit of frustration for some residents in some parts of the community that students are not respectful enough of their neighbors,\u201d she said. \u201cOf course, we are chagrined any time we hear of an episode, though they are rare.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">In 2015, Mayor Curt Leng stated that Quinnipiac students, for the majority, are good students. However, there are some issues with students not being compassionate and respectful neighbors in the community. Since then, he says he has seen improvements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cI am thankful for the improved efforts to address these important neighborhood issues that the university has taken, including the great outreach efforts and commitment shown by Vice President and Chief of Staff Bethany Zemba and others to work on this issue in collaboration with the town,\u201d Mayor Leng said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">President Olian continues to work on improving the university and its relationship with the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">\u201cWhat we want is for everyone to appreciate the value of having students and a university in their backyard,\u201d Olian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space:pre-wrap;\"> In 2018, Judy Olian moved from her home in California to Hamden, Conn. to accept her current leadership role as president of Quinnipiac University. Since the move, she has embraced change and is working to improve the university in many different areas, such as student education and community relations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":1004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142,6],"tags":[444,3,153,4,443],"class_list":["post-1003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homepage","category-quinnipiac","tag-curt-leng","tag-hamd","tag-judy-olian","tag-quinnipiac","tag-rocky-top"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1003"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1342,"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1003\/revisions\/1342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hqnn.org\/hqpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}