5 Questions with Leonna Harris: Leadership about making real connections
Congratulations on recently being the runner-up for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership from the Technical College System of Georgia. What does the honor mean to you?
It's a very humbling award. I always try to do the right thing, and I commit myself fully to every decision I make. You never know who is standing on the sidelines watching your journey. It's just confirmation that I'm headed in the right direction. And I'm excited about the opportunity to represent technical education here in our community.
What led you to the respiratory care technology program at Columbus Technical College?
I always had a desire to work in health care. I started at CSU as a Biology major, and I had a few bumps in the road. I decided to take some time away from school. When my mother passed away, my passion for health care was renewed. The Respiratory Therapy program allowed me to have hands-on training, along with the education to directly enter the health care setting.
What do you hope to do with your degree?
I hope to be one of the best Respiratory Therapists that the field has to offer; I hope to be as caring and compassionate to my patients and their families as humanly possible. In the future, I plan to become a clinical educator as well.
Your award was for leadership. How do you define leadership?
Leadership is an all-encompassing term. It's not about being perfect; for me, it's about connecting with people in a way that allows them to see you as a person, with feelings and emotions and triumphs and failures. Leaders show those who surround them how to finish the race, even when they trip over they're own two feet.
What is the best kept secret in the Chattahoochee Valley?
I would definitely have to say the programs at Columbus Technical College. I honestly didn't know about the programs they had to offer until I decided to pursue health care again. CTC was just around the corner all this time and it took me until I was 32 years old to discover it.
This story was originally published May 10, 2015 at 10:16 PM with the headline "5 Questions with Leonna Harris: Leadership about making real connections."