Dutch, a 'Leader Among Equals'
Monette Dutch delights in helping and being a resource. It's how she approaches leadership in many ways. The director of TRiO Student Services at Thomas Nelson, Dutch values her team and takes great care to ensure that students are the top priority.
"I thoroughly enjoy working with this TRiO staff ... Though I am a firm believer that the leader is the first among equals, my role is to help staff develop to their full potential. That aspect about leadership, I find very striking," said Dutch.
Challenging everyone on her team to seek excellence in all aspects of TRiO work, she embraces situational leadership as her dominant style.
"My approach depends on the staff … the circumstances … the issues involved. I'm very comfortable asking staff members, 'What do you think about x y z?' to get their perspectives," she said. "I'm also very with comfortable saying, 'I made this decision independently of what you might feel or think because I feel it's what's best.' In both instances, I try to take into consideration eclectic variables before I make decisions that will impact students and staff alike."
Balance and sensitivity are also important.
"I also know that you don't treat all staff members alike. But, you treat them fairly. You give them what they need. You give them what they need so they can give students what they need," she stressed.
The Newport News native honed her skills over numerous years in higher education. She entered the workforce a reluctant 22-year-old trying to figure out a career path. Armed with a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, Dutch discovered a hidden talent while working as an administrative assistant to the dean of women at Hampton University. Talking to students in the office as they waited for the dean and being able to help them revealed her knack for counseling. She was also enrolled at the university while working and earned a master's degree in counseling for college student development. Dutch, then, had the confidence and tools to launch her career.
"I have only worked in higher education. I love it. I would not trade student affairs type work for anything in the world. It is my passion. In a nutshell, it's who I am," she said. "Interestingly enough, I started my professional career in TRiO. I was a TRiO counselor, so now I'm getting toward the sunset of my career … circling back to where I started. It just seemed so apropos."
Dutch's career includes a three-year stint as undergraduate admissions counseling coordinator at the University of California-Los Angeles and five years at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, where she was the retention director. She joined Thomas Nelson in 2015 as a retention coach before taking her current position in 2020. The role is familiar as she was previously director of TRiO at Franklin's Paul D. Camp Community College.
Sharing thoughts on what women who are interested in leadership should consider, she noted it's imperative to have a clear vision and expectations and to effectively communicate that to all involved. She also recommends that leaders should "always have at least one person" in whom they can "authentically confide." In other sage advice, she addressed self-doubt.
"We shouldn't doubt ourselves … You're in the role for a reason. And I say this often to young women who want to move up in higher education, 'You already will have enough doubters. Don't join them. Believe in yourself. You have the capacity. You have the skill set. You have the intelligence. Just walk in that and don't let anybody take you from that position,'" she emphasized.
"Don't ask for permission to speak your truth. I hear in meetings all the time, 'Can I say something?' or women raise their hand to get permission to speak. You are at the table as a professional intelligent woman. Speak your truth," added Dutch, who has a doctoral degree in higher education leadership from Arizona's North Central University.
Although being effective at the helm for her TRiO team is crucial, providing top-notch support, resources, and assistance for students is job one in Dutch's view. TRiO is a federal program that serves students, who are first-generation college students, have documented disabilities, or who are from a lower economic background.
"I used to be a TRiO student. I was a TRiO student in two different programs - Upward Bound at Hampton University (targeting high school students) and TRiO Student Support Services at Virginia Commonwealth University. So, this work is significant because I know it works. When I see our TRiO students, I see me. I give them what I was given years ago as a high school kid and as a college undergrad," she said.
"A lot of times people just need the opportunity. They need the access and the support to move forward academically, toward their careers, and in their life choices. That just resonates with my soul to work with the students and know we have an impact that reverberates beyond Thomas Nelson," she added.
For Dutch, the program's variety, its "eclectic array of activities and services" is the draw. Students receive academic advising, financial aid advising, transfer assistance, and career advising. They visit four-year colleges and universities and are exposed to workshops, seminars, and guest speakers. A cultural arts component is also included to give students experiences they might not otherwise have.
"Before COVID, we went to New York to see a play on Broadway. We went to the African American Museum in D.C. We did indoor skydiving and we've attended the ballet. All of that speaks to who I am as a person. I l love variety and I love the fun. So, this was perfect for me," she said.
As for what inspires and keeps Dutch motivated at work and in her daily life, it's giving above all.
"I just absolutely am inspired by giving to people. It's just such a good feeling to be able to bless somebody … to help make a difference in somebody else's life with no strings attached. Just for the good of trying to help somebody. The reason that inspires me is I've had so many people who have helped me, who supported me, who looked out for me and so I feel like it's the least I can do," she said.