Dr. Christa Slejko, who has served as the Dallas College/North Lake President for 13 years, has recently made the decision to retire.
“So Dallas College was my very first grown-up job right out of school. I thought, well that sounds kind of cool to be on a college campus,” Slejko said.
Selection the next president is typically the responsibility of the chancellor, but Dr. Slejko plays a unique role in the process of choosing her successor.
“So, I’m hoping that person, you know, has an eye for the future, but also – how do we preserve those special things that are unique to North Lake?,” she said.
An important piece of north history is the sports teams.
“You know, Dallas College overall, we are a force in NJCAA sports,” Slejko said. “I’m a good cheerleader”
But that’s not the only history Dr. Slejko wants to preserve.
“But then, we also wanted to do things that kind of represented change,” she said.
For the 40th anniversary of the campus, a time capsule was created.
“Of course we had, you know, students and faculty and everybody thought ‘what should we put in there?’ It doesn’t get opened I think until like 2050. I mean, a long time,” Slejko said.
“People will say being the president is a lonely job. Like, hanging out with the students, like that’s the best. Every day when I showed up to work, I knew I was contributing to making a difference,” she said.
One of Dr. Slejko’s highest priorities during her time as president was making sure the students were well taken care of.
“I hope they say she cared. It’s really that simple for me. That’s how I’d like to be remembered,” Slejko said. “So, don’t forget – once a Blazer, always a Blazer.”
