Soyeon Shim: Norton School Director

Strategies, Successes & Lessons Learned

Leadership is a process — not something you ever fully master.

Since becoming a division chair at the Norton School in 1992 and then director in 2000, I've learned many things through working with exceptional faculty and staff, outstanding alumni and our vital business and community partners — lessons in everything from building financial support to launching an online degree to simply earning someone's trust.

Recently, one of our associates interviewed me about my history at the Norton School. What came out of those sessions were not only stories about some of our most significant achievements at the Norton School but also my thoughts on how they came about, what worked and lessons learned.

I've decided to share those stories here as a resource for other schools and organizations that may face similar challenges and opportunities as I've faced at the Norton School. I sincerely hope that you'll find the information helpful.

Most of all, however, I'd like to use this "Director's Site" to begin a dialog with faculty and staff, students, alumni, parents and partners — everyone invested in the future of the Norton School — or any school — and anyone working towards a better future for retailing and consumer sciences, family studies and human development, and higher education overall.

I dedicate this site to all my team members – my Strategic Advisory Team, faculty and staff, the Norton Advisory Board, the Alumni Council, and the College deans and associate deans — all of whom have worked with me side-by-side to build a Norton School that is today well positioned for the future. Without their support and commitment, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Sincerely,

Soyeon Shim

Director, Norton School of Family & Consumer Sciences

[site launched October, 2011]

Note: The buttons below link to written excerpts from interviews about leadership and the evolution of the Norton School over the years. To read the excerpts collected in order, begin with the "Timeline" section.