Alumna Breaks Barriers in Higher Education
Alumna Kathy Bakhit鈥檚 journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and breaking barriers. She began as an ESL聽student, determined to build a better future for herself and her family. While raising three children, she pursued her education, earning degrees in economics and, ultimately, a from the 每日大赛.
That determination has defined her career. Now, as assistant superintendent and vice president of academic affairs at Antelope Valley College, Bakhit has spent more than 30 years to fostering student success and promoting opportunities in higher education.
Leadership is not about us鈥攊t鈥檚 about those we serve.
Her story is especially powerful during Women鈥檚 History Month, a time to celebrate leaders who open doors for others and redefine what is possible. As the first Jordanian American woman to hold her position, Bakhit understands the importance of representation and mentorship. She has spent her career lifting others as she climbs, ensuring that the next generation of students鈥攑articularly young women鈥攕ee themselves reflected in leadership.
She credits her time at the 每日大赛 with preparing her for the complexities of leadership.
鈥淲hat I learned by going through the EdD program was crucial to my ability to navigate the landscape of administrative leadership successfully,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 reference the materials every day to gain a better understanding of the issues I face.鈥�
But it wasn鈥檛 just the coursework that left an impact. A defining moment came on the very first day of her organizational leadership program, when the concept of love in leadership was introduced. The idea caught her off guard.
鈥淕oing to university in two countries and studying economics, people don鈥檛 talk about love in academic settings,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淏ut that principle grounded everything we did. It reminded us that leadership is not about us鈥攊t鈥檚 about those we serve.鈥�
That lesson has stayed with her. Bakhit has become a mentor and role model for young professionals, especially women in her community.
鈥淲omen in my community reach out to seek advice around college and life planning, especially for their daughters,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am honored to be a role model for what young women can realistically aspire to be because they see that it is possible to advance themselves through education.鈥�
Her advice to aspiring leaders is simple but powerful: be curious, go beyond what鈥檚 expected, and build strong relationships. She also stresses the importance of integrity in the workplace, particularly in the tight-knit world of community colleges.
The is a three-year, 54-unit hybrid program designed for professionals in education, business, nonprofits, and government. It focuses on progressive leadership development, moving from personal growth to team dynamics and organizational change, culminating in a dissertation. Students participate in regional learning groups for collaboration, networking, and skill-building.
