Eugenia Providence, MBA

I attribute much of my success to my parents, whose strength, sacrifice, and resilience have shaped the person I am today. My father, an immigrant from the Caribbean, came to this country with very little and raised my siblings and I. Through his unwavering commitment to creating a better life for our family, he taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, humility, and purpose.

I am also deeply inspired by my mother, who is one of the strongest people I know. Her courage, endurance, and ability to keep going through life’s challenges have shown me what true resilience looks like. Together, my parents’ examples continue to guide the way I lead, make decisions, and hold myself accountable. They motivate me to pursue excellence, honor every opportunity, and create a meaningful legacy of my own.

The best career advice I have ever received came from Dr. Scott Kight, Professor of Biology at Montclair State University, who encouraged me not to be afraid of discomfort and to remain open to opportunities beyond the path that felt most familiar. Rather than staying within a comfortable niche, such as software engineering, he challenged me to see growth as something that often happens outside the boundaries of what we already know.

That guidance has stayed with me throughout my career. It taught me to embrace change, take on unfamiliar challenges, and continuously expand my skill set. Because of that perspective, I have become more adaptable, more confident in new environments, and more willing to pursue opportunities that stretch me personally and professionally.

My advice to young women entering higher education, operations, or strategic consulting is to learn the system, but do not lose yourself trying to fit into it. Be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and understand how decisions are made, how resources move, and how people are supported behind the scenes. Technical skill matters, but so does judgment, emotional intelligence, and the ability to see patterns others miss.

I would also tell young women not to shrink themselves to appear more agreeable or less threatening. Your voice, perspective, and lived experience are assets. Speak with clarity, document your work, build relationships with people who respect your growth, and remain open to opportunities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

Most importantly, do not confuse being busy with being impactful. Learn how to build systems, solve real problems, and create value in ways that are sustainable. The goal is not just to get a seat at the table; it is to understand the table, influence the agenda, and make room for others.

One of the biggest challenges in higher education right now is that institutions are being asked to do more with fewer resources, while still delivering high-quality service, strong student outcomes, and meaningful innovation. Colleges and universities are navigating enrollment pressures, financial constraints, changing regulations, staffing challenges, and growing public questions about the value of a degree. Those pressures make strong operations, clear systems, and responsible resource management more important than ever.

At the same time, this moment creates tremendous opportunity. Higher education has a real chance to rethink outdated processes, use technology and AI more thoughtfully, expand workforce-aligned learning, and build programs that better meet the needs of students, employers, and communities. The institutions that will thrive are the ones willing to modernize not just what they teach, but how they operate.

For me, the opportunity is in building smarter, more human-centered systems. Whether through higher education leadership or entrepreneurship, I see the future of the field in creating structures that are efficient, equitable, transparent, and sustainable. The goal is not simply to survive disruption, but to use it as a catalyst to build institutions and organizations that work better for the people they serve.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are curiosity and determination. Curiosity keeps me open, reflective, and willing to ask questions rather than assume I already have all the answers. It pushes me to keep learning, seek new perspectives, and approach every experience as an opportunity for growth.

Determination is equally central to who I am. As a woman of color who did not grow up with privilege, I understand the importance of perseverance, resourcefulness, and refusing to be limited by circumstance. I have learned to meet challenges with focus, resilience, and a deep commitment to moving forward.

Together, these values shape how I lead, how I solve problems, and how I pursue opportunity. They remind me to stay grounded in purpose, remain open to growth, and continue building a life and career defined not only by achievement, but by meaning, impact, and legacy.