Featured Colleague – Montez Bates
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By Stephanie McMillen
Montez Bates, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, joined Valencia in November 2010 as the manager of learning support services on the West Campus. She oversees the operation of the Communications Center, the Math Center, the Testing Center, and the tutoring program, as well as teaches a developmental math class.
“Managing support centers in three different buildings on the West Campus can be challenging and rewarding at the same time,” Montez revealed. Her inspiration comes from knowing that “faculty and staff members at Valencia are so dedicated to making sure students are given [opportunities] to succeed.”
Montez turns her inspiration to motivation by encouraging her staff to use their strengths in a way that will support student learning. Taking pride in the support she offers her staff, Montez has been able to create a productive work environment for West Campus’ learning support services.
When asked what she enjoys most about working here, Montez explained that “Valencia represents the best in preparing bright minds to succeed in college and do great things with their lives. It’s a fresh start for some [students] and a breath of fresh air for others.”
Before coming to Valencia, Montez managed an Academic Success Center and taught developmental mathematics and student success at Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She also worked for AT&T/Lucent Technologies for twenty-four years as a project manager.
Montez graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in education, curriculum and instruction with a specialization in math education from the University of Phoenix. Montez also has a master’s certificate in project management from George Washington University.
In her free time, Montez enjoys participating in community involvement through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Know someone doing great work at the college? Send your recommendation to us at The_Grove@valenciacollege.edu and he or she may be one of our featured colleagues!
