Daedalian goes Behind the Connection with Dr. Cynthia Rooker, who shares how her leadership roles at Lansing Community College and her work as Institutional Representative for the MI-ACE Women’s Network inspired a new podcast spotlighting the stories, achievements, and challenges of women in higher education. Leading the Way: Women in Higher Education premieres on the LCC Connect network January 13, 2026.

Podcast: Leading the Way: Women in Higher Education

Website: MI-ACE at Lansing Community College

Website: MI-ACE Women's Network

Since then, we've expanded to offer more than 30 podcasts, all of which are hosted by members of Lansing Community College or folks within our Mid Michigan community. This is Daedalian.

I'm the general manager for LCC Connect, and today I'm delighted to be joined by someone whose impact spans across campus and now across our podcast network, Dr. Cynthia Rooker. She serves as LCC's director of auxiliary Services.

She is also the college's Institutional representative for the Michigan ACE Women's Network, and she's an adjunct instructor of Business Management and leadership in the School of Business.

As if that wasn't enough, she's now adding yet another hat to her collection as the host of the brand new LCC Connect podcast code called Leading the Women in Higher Education. It's a series that highlights the stories, insights, and leadership journeys of women shaping the future of academia.

Starting January 13th, you can listen to it@lccconnect.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Now let's take a look behind the curtain to find out what's happening behind the connection. So you got back from Florida, what was it? Monday.

When did I get back?

Monday. Tuesday, maybe Tuesday.

Tuesday.

Well, Tuesday's the day I saw you, right?

Tuesday, yeah.

So you got back from Florida on Tuesday?

Monday. Monday afternoon. And then I came in on Tuesday.

Gotcha. So why were you down there again?

Our daughter graduated with her doctorate in nurse research.

That is absolutely awesome.

It is. I mean, she's been in Tampa seven years, something like that, and she's just done amazing.

When she graduated from U of M Nursing school, she was doing amazing things there. I mean, incredible. But when she graduated, she was like, mom, I'm going to Florida. I am not gonna take this cold anymore.

And I'm in a career that I can go anywhere. So. Yeah, she's in Tampa, Florida.

I think her then friend who's now her husband, had a little encouragement behind that, but at that time, she was seeing somebody else, so. Yeah. So now they've been married, it'll be three years, going on four years.

Very cool. Well, I'm assuming that you'll share this episode with her and that she'll listen at some point. So I'll say congratulations to you.

Yeah.

How did you feel when you. You actually got to go to the ceremony, Right?

Oh, yeah.

So how'd you feel?

I was just goosebumps. It was Just incredible to see her, you know, it was a great accomplishment.

She's just done so much, like I mentioned, but that's just such a milestone, you know, I mean, her perseverance, her commitment, the support that she received from her facult, the people that she works with as well. I mean, it takes a whole community and she's just. She's just blossomed. She's just grown since she's been there too.

She's an amazing daughter anyway, and she's just really networked. She's really used her networking skills to the highest level. She just continues to reach out. I mean, education, professionally, personally.

She's just done very, very well for herself. So very, very proud of her. And yeah, it's a milestone to celebrate that. It's not an easy task at all.

So when she was going across and they hooded her, I'm just like, oh my God. That's just. That's just huge. Because I can remember that. And just like it's a long journey in so many different ways, but she's doing great things.

Absolutely awesome. And congratulations again.

Thank you.

This is one of those things too, that you and I have talked before or we've known each other for quite a while, and then all of a sudden I hear somebody refer to you as Dr. Rooker. So when did you obtain your doctorate?

So was there a moment where you kind of felt connected to your daughter because you both shared this kind of same experience?

Ye. It was not something that she said, oh, this is what I always wanted to do. And I mean the same for me. She has seen me as she was growing up.

She has seen me get through my bachelor's, my master's. Yeah. She literally saw all the times that I would have class at night. And you know, dad's taking care of her and her brother.

And I think it was my master's program. It was always the same night on a Monday night every week.

And for whatever reason big time wrestling was on or something, she's like, and I gotta watch this with the guys, whatever. And so this goes way back. Cause she was mid-90s.

So can you put a name with any of the big time wrestlers? That'll give us some perspective. Was Hogan still in the game at that time?

Probably.

I mean, it wasn't like Iron Chic territory. Right.

Or Bobo Brazil. Right, Right.

Well, now you're really Going back?

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Well, cool. Congratulations once. That's awesome. And actually, congratulations to you because I don't think I ever had a chance to say it.

Just like I said, all of a sudden we're in a meeting and one day somebody refers to you, Dr. Rooker, and I'm like, I had no idea.

When was this? What happened? No, thank you.

And you do a lot of stuff here at the college. Feel free to correct me if I get any of these titles wrong. Director of auxiliary services, M.I. aCE representative.

And you're also an adjunct faculty member, is that correct?

Yes. Yes.

So how do these different roles connect in your mind? How do they all kind of come together and seem to have a similarity?

Yeah, they're all threaded. It all starts obviously with students. Students are number one.

And every role that I do here at the college, my leadership roles, adjunct faculty, obviously. But it's all connected with students and helping students, working with students and advocate in any way that I can. But ye.

That's always with students and then serving the college community in any role that I can within lcc. And so within Auxiliary Services, I always say it's kind of the back of the house where, you know, with food service and so forth.

So helping with students and the different models that we have right now, obviously with the grab and go that we have and before when we had table to serve, where we would serve them, we had, you know, a contracted company. And then Covid. And so then we went to a different model. And so this model right now seems to work.

And we also have food trucks coming in every semester. At least a couple, two or three different food trucks for students. The threat of that is servant leadership. Students.

I go back to communication and serving the community as best.

We'll say you go back to communication because that was a question we talked about off mic. But yeah, you said that if you had a superpower.

That's right.

Communication would be your superpower.

Yeah. Yeah. It's always a challenge. Sometimes. Not always, but it can be a challenge on, you know, if I communicate something, it might be a different.

You might get a different perspective from it. So that's where like, wow. If you could make sure that this communication is clear as can be exactly.

What it is that I want it to mean.

Yes, yes, that would be great.

Although sometimes I think we're best at guarding the thoughts that are going through our heads. So there is that. You know, it's been, what, 39 years? Is that what you said? 39 years? Something like that, yeah. Or did you want me to.

You want me to go ahead and edit that part out? You've been with the college for a.

Long time, since the first president.

Yeah.

Since Cannon.

Is there some defining leadership moments that have shaped you over the years? You know, you look back and you go, wow, that really has helped me to become who I am.

I'd have to say some of the mentors that I've had through the years and some of the leaders that have helped guide me through the years, even some bosses where I know I'm not gonna be that kind of a boss, that kind of thing, you know, what you're not gonna be and what you will, and then to take some other leadership traits from other leaders that definitely I want to continue. So I think mentorship and some of the. The good leaders that I've had throughout my career that I've watched and kind of tapped into.

So that has helped me, I think, through the years being here.

Yeah, I guess I could see that.

We were talking a little bit about some of the leaders off mic, and I think the current administration's doing a great job, and I know that in some ways, that's connected to the Michigan ACE as far as how you got involved. Is that correct?

Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. And, I mean, Dr. Selina Samuel, she's definitely one of the leaders that has helped me to get more involved with Michigan ace.

And I attribute a lot to her leadership, her vision.

She's been phenomenal in all of this, and it's just been a real honor to work with her, putting on the conference and then some of the Michigan ACE events that we have on campus. And she's just great to work with because she's got this, you know, vision of what she wants it to be like.

And sometimes it'll be like, okay, let's come to reality. Let's really talk about this. Is this something we can do or, you know, and we'll put pieces together here and there, but she's just been.

She's just been great. She's phenomenal to work with. I holistically love working with her. She's just great. So cool.

And I love the fact that you've actually kind of, in some ways created a podcast based on the concept. We will get to that in just a moment. But of course, Michigan Ace focuses on elevating women as leaders. Right, right.

So what exactly drew you to the work that the organization does? Like, what made you look at it and go, you know, I really like what this organization's about, and I do.

I really like how they encourage women, they support women and help them and guide them to, if they want to pursue something different within their careers, meet them basically where they're at, right?

So as far as with this podcast, it came to my mind basically because I listen to podcasts every day on my way in and on my way home, and I learn from them. I connect with some of those people that I'm listening to. I mean, some of the stories are just heart wrenching.

And then the courage that a lot of people have to tell their story, where millions of people are listening to some of these podcasts, right?

And so when we were talking about, you know, like something in reference to Michigan Ace and women in leadership roles, how can we, what else can we do for them? Was like, well, let's tell their stories.

Let's get their voices heard, you know, amplify and tell their story of where they're at, what's going on in education. So that's where it really came from, was, gee, I, I think we need to tell some of these stories. And let's talk about this.

People love podcasts, right? They've been around for a while, but I'm definitely a fan of podcasts.

Well, you managed to unpack probably the next two to three questions that I really kind of wanted to ask, which is perfectly fine. You kind of gave us an idea of what the inspiration behind it was, as well as what the heart of the show is.

And I've had the chance to kind of sit in on these conversations so far. And you've been talking with university presidents, faculty, staff, a lot of people that are considered leaders of their areas.

So what kind of stories and insights are you really kind of hoping to uncover with this?

Yeah, I really hope to uncover some of the people's stories of how they started, some of their challenges so that it resonates with others, people that are listening so they can feel like, oh, that could be me.

That's what I'm thinking, or that's what I've thought, or whatever, where they can feel that from the conversation of, oh, yeah, I've thought about this and perhaps maybe I could connect with that person or that organization and see if there's somebody that I can connect with, network with to see if that's somewhere I can go within the organization. The networking with the Michigan AC is incredible. One of my interviewees mentioned something about making their net work for them.

And so that is very true. And it has happened with many people that I've talked with and work with within Michigan AC which is great.

Well, and you mentioned earlier that you were kind of hoping to get the stories of those people out there and you kind of grazed over a little bit earlier. So I'm going to go back to that.

In some manner we were talking about how there have been various leaders over the years that have inspired you to become who you are.

So I suppose this would be the moment where if you had to pick one of those people, who would you highlight at this moment, be it male or female, whoever it is that you have found to be an inspiration to be a leader that you've personally known.

That isn't a secret. When I tell people. Dr. Glenn Cerny, he was here at LCC before he became president. He's president of Schoolcraft Community College right now.

And years back when he worked here at lcc, he also taught, I believe it was a management type class. When I was in the Northwood program, I took his class, it was evening class and I learned so much from him.

In addition to that, I also worked with him on one of the committees. So I'm taking a class from him and I'm working with him during the day.

So we were able to get to know each other through work and then also through the coursework. And he encouraged me to apply for the mail services supervisor at the time.

And I remember saying to him, I don't know anything about postage or usps but the cost of a post, you know, a stamp. And he said, no, you know, management. He said, no, I want you to apply for that position. So I did and I would not have done that.

And that encouraged me and I got that position and it went from there.

And then there were others along the way because after I got my master's then there was another colleague that encouraged me to apply for an online instructor, which I thought, I don't know that I could do that either. And then we talked about it and it was taking the coursework for online teaching.

And then I just fell in love with it and online teaching as well as face to face and. And it became something that I really loved. So every semester I've been teaching for over 20 years as well and working full time and part time.

So I get my student fix as well as, you know, it's awesome.

It's almost like you kind of fell into the right place. I think there's probably a better word for that, but I mean, it just seems like you found your path without actually having to look, I guess.

Well, I have to tell you, one of the amazing Things about community colleges, especially Lansing Community College, I have to say, is the diversity, the flexibility and stuff is. I don't know that I could do what I'm doing right now in another institution, maybe, perhaps. But I mean, this.

Working here has given me many opportunities to grow in so many different ways. And so I think community colleges are definitely places where people can find themselves to succeed.

And as you and I had discussed before you even started recording the podcast, and, you know, we still haven't even mentioned the name of the podcast, so we should do that, shouldn't we should take a moment. Leading the way. Women in Higher Education. That's the name of the podcast.

But as we had began, you were kind of like, yeah, this is really outside of my comfort zone. Yes, but that's part of the way we grow, right?

Absolutely.

So a platform like this, a podcast, why is it so important in higher education these days?

You know, we're coming into challenging times. I think right now it's not new to community colleges at all, but it is challenging times.

And I think that we look at different policies and cultures that support, you know, women holistically, not just professionally, but also personally.

I think this podcast, I think the timing is perfect for something like this, you know, not just within Michigan ace, but also women in higher education throughout the state of Michigan.

So looking at this podcast and really wanting to take it and enhance it for women leaders throughout the state of Michigan, if not more so, I think this is great.

Very cool. And as a host yourself, what are you hoping listeners walk away with after each episode?

Wow. I hope that they walk away with a sense of belonging and support and know that we're here to listen to them.

And definitely I would hope that women would reach out to me to say, you know, I heard your podcast. I think so. And so would be great. Or I would like to come on and have a conversation about, you know, this, that, or whatever.

If I get something like that, I think that would definitely tell us that. Wow. Okay, we've reached.

We're doing something.

Yeah, we're doing something meaningful, impactful to. To people out there. That's important. That's important for people to have that sense of belonging and support.

You know, I gotta tell you, I was honored to be asked to. I announced at the Michigan ACE it was a pleasure to do it. And I gotta tell you, I have never seen such a supporting group of women in my life.

They are very much, very much there for each other. They are open to conversations and questions, and it's just great to see.

So I guess my question is, if anybody ever wanted to get into doing podcasting and doing what you're doing, what would you tell them? That being the host of a podcast is like doing this for the first time ever.

Being the host, it's fun. I think it's fun. I think it's educational. It's been a great learning opportunity for me.

It's outside of my comfort zone, as you mentioned earlier, and I think it's definitely has been a growing experience, and I definitely would recommend it to anybody to, you know, to give it a shot, give it a try, do something. For me, it was definitely doing something different. Something.

When I recommended or had the idea of doing a podcast, it wasn't that I was gonna do it. It was, hey, this is a way to get our voices heard. And then it was, well, great. Cindy, why don't you take that and do it?

You know, I'm in the area that I'm not familiar with. Right. I've not been involved with studios or recordings or anything like that.

And that's something. I don't know. I suppose it's probably relevant at any job at all, but definitely at a community college.

Careful what you suggest, because you might be the one in charge of that.

Exactly.

I gave you advice here and there. I explained some stuff, but I really didn't give you a lot of insight as far as how to prepare for an interview necessarily.

I will offer advice to people who ask. But you didn't really ask. So how do you prepare for an interview?

Do you usually do a lot of heavy research or do you focus more on the conversation itself?

So I'll do some research on the person and see where they're at and what experiences that they've had. And I will also definitely look at, you know, going over what type of questions. What do we want to know?

Not getting too in depth, but perhaps conversation could go a little bit deeper and then some reflection on, you know, our conversation. How do I think this conversation may go? And it's.

And always wanting it to be educational, informative, light, spirited, and, you know, just good interaction between two, three, four people. I think we had. I think we had one where we had three people, didn't we?

We had at least two. Yeah, it was you and two other.

Two other people. Yeah. Yep. So. So, yeah. Yeah.

Very cool. Is there an upcoming guest or episode that you're really excited about?

There's a few without, you know, giving it away, but I'm hoping to have, like, one of the presidents in reference to just giving some insight and telling their story and just some of the challenges that they encounter, sharing that and their experiences and how they've gotten through some of their challenges and trials, tribulations, letting people know that they too can get through a lot of this, you know, get through challenges as well. And they're just like anybody else, right? They're just as they. You know the old saying, they put their pants on the same way, right?

Yeah, we assume so.

We assume.

I remember. I don't know if you remember Olga Holden. She was with Small Business Development Center. I worked with her for part time.

We were sitting in a meeting, I'll never forget, and she brings up her foot and she takes off her shoe and she had a hole in her nylon or something and pulls it out. And I was just sitting there and I just looked. I was. I was just. Just amazed of what she was doing.

I was surprised or whatever, and I was mid-20s or something. And she looked and she said, what? I'm just like you. I put my pants on the same way you do or whatever. My hoes are just the same as yours.

And I just thought, I'll never forget that. She's a great lady.

I probably would have had the same reaction you did.

Wait, what is she doing? It was funny.

We're getting low on time here, but I do want to ask you a couple of quick hitters. First of all, I want to know, what does leading the way mean to you personally?

So that means like paving the path for others, not just walking it alone, but taking someone else along with you as you are leading the way and you're lifting, you're climbing, whatever, but you're sharing your knowledge, you're sharing your experiences, whether those are good or bad experiences, but also creating opportunities for those that come along with you.

And knowing that people are looking at you as a mentor, they're taking a look at you and kind of watching every move and so being an inspiration for others as well.

What challenges do you think still need more visibility or more action?

I'd say for equity to be the norm and barriers are the exception. A place where women can lead boldly without questioning whether they belong.

Because we absolutely do need to be at the table, as they say, and lead by example.

Gotcha.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So when you look at the next generation of women leaders, including your daughter, what do you hope higher education looks like for them?

I hope that they feel that they are part of the future, that they make a difference, that their challenges have helped others along the way. Like, with what my daughter is doing, she's in education as well as research. And so a lot of what she's doing is going to help others.

And she mentions that a lot when we're in conversations that she wants for sustainability. She wants to make sure that these others, that she's coaching them, that she's helping them along the way.

And so that's where her and I talk about communication a lot. Make sure that you're communicating that so that they understand what it is, what's the goal, what's the focus?

And they'll go ahead, you lead the way, and they'll be there alongside of you, or they'll continue to watch and see where you're taking them. So be careful with that as well. So make sure that you're leading them in the direction of the vision, the vision that you want for the future.

You know, a common theme, I'll just mention this offhand that I heard a lot at Michigan ACE Conference when I was there was the notion of encouraging women to speak up and let their higher ups, their leaders, know that they were interested in advancing.

Exactly. Because if they don't know what we don't know, we can't help with. Right. And within my staff, I talk to them about encouraging them all the time, too.

If you're looking at, you know, enhancing your education, going to the next level, looking at other positions, become a manager or whatever, make sure that it's known otherwise.

Communicate.

Yes, communicate. The key, that key. Otherwise we don't. We don't know. For people that aren't any level.

Well, certainly, I have to say that is one of the things that I've been guilty of myself over the years of not saying, hey, I'm really interested in this role. Just assuming that based on my merits alone, somebody's gonna notice me and just offer me something. Well, you can't do that.

You have to let them know that you are interested in moving on.

And then when you let them know, then they're gonna keep it in their mind to go, oh, yeah, I remembered. Hey, we're looking for. You're looking for somebody. It's Italian.

I remember he mentioned in a conversation it could be just in passing, having coffee, whatever. It doesn't have to be a formal evening. Formal, right, right.

Definitely.

Exactly.

Dr. Cynthia Rooker. Thanks so much for coming in and joining me on behind the Connection. Leading the Way.

Women in Higher Education is the name of the podcast, and you can listen to the very first episode starting Tuesday. She doesn't even know at this point. I haven't even told her folks.

Tuesday, January 13th, 2pm It'll be available at lccconnect.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks so much for coming in and talk to me.

Thanks so much for having me.

I'm not gonna let you go quite yet, though, because we do have the rando question of the day.

Oh, no.

That's right. I can't tell you what it is. Cause I don't know. Are you ready? But this is how we end the show. You ready? Okay, here we go.

What's something you wish you'd figured out sooner? Wow. I think this is a very fitting question for the conversations we're having today. So what is something that you wish you'd figured out sooner?

And I'm gonna add a little bit onto that.

In life, what's something you wish you'd figure out sooner? Oh, boy. How. What did I want to figure out a lot sooner?

Still trying to figure it out. Yeah.

Still trying to figure. Figure it out. All out. Right. Life itself. Oh, my gosh, it's so complicated. But geez, I would go to the.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I don't know if you're familiar with that.

Oh, no.

Oh, yeah. You got to be a geek or a nerd in order to know anything about that. 42 is the answer.

42.

So there you go. You just learned something new on the podcast today. 42 is the answer to life.

I love it. 42.