Inspiring Other Leaders

“Dean Valentini is a careful and creative thinker and a ‘people person’ with a broad intellectual curiosity. It was such an honor to work with him because of his strong record of accomplishment and his demonstrated excellence in leading and coordinating effectively within and outside of Columbia College. As a colleague, Dean Valentini advances a leadership style that inspires, motivates, encourages innovation and enlists people to embrace a shared vision to get extraordinary things done.

“His commitment to the College has inspired so many other leaders like me. To prioritize increasing resources and programming that promotes community and student wellness; to take responsibility for contributing to and delivering results to realize the College’s vision toward excellence; and to improve administrative facilities that provide key student support services, in order to ensure that our students are able to take full advantage of the resources of our great University while also having access to the best global engagement opportunities in the world.

“Dean Valentini excels at providing strategic direction, deepening strategic partnerships and establishing, building, sustaining and sharing strong relationships with relevant groups and stakeholders, including students, alumni and donors. This strengthens the undergraduate experience for our students and the faculty who teach them, and builds resources in an ever-changing world. It creates an atmosphere of fairness and mutual respect, where diversity and inclusion are not only welcomed but valued. He has also made a difference in the experience of students by inspiring them to internalize the values they learn in the Core Curriculum — of character, integrity, honor and respect — and to build upon them as critical thinkers and active and engaged global citizens.”

Shannon Marquez
Dean of Global Engagement