Photograph taken by Jenny Risher for the DBusiness Magazine Breakfast Series-Powered By Women Series
Baker College President Jacqui Spicer was honored at the DBusiness Magazine Breakfast Series -Powered By Women. Hosted at the Gem Theatre in Downtown Detroit, hundreds of patrons filled the grand space to network, partake in a strolling breakfast, and receive empowering words from each honoree.
Esteemed leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the immense contributions and accomplishments by the honorees to their respective industries, including higher education, banking, healthcare, and automotive.
Recipients were chosen from more than 400 nominees, and President Spicer was one of the selected few whose impressive journeys were worthy of recognition. As the first woman President in Baker College’s 112 year history, she has an intense commitment to help maintain an educational experience that values the individuality and aspirations of each student while providing resources that enable students to overcome challenges and find the necessary guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to excel academically and personally.
President Spicer delivered a speech that highlighted the progress women have made despite odds, while acknowledging how much more work still needs to be done for certain levels of equity to be attained. She mentioned how supporting one another is also an essential tool to garner success. With a humorous twist to add to the already light, friendly, and celebratory mood, she mentioned her recent viewing of the movie Barbie. But, seriousness prevailed as Spicer paraphrased a monologue from the movie which noted how women must strive to be extraordinary, but are highly criticized for doing it wrong, as the unwritten rules come with a lot of contradictory requirements.
Her remarks also touched on her non-traditional journey to this Presidential seat at Baker College, as she traveled extensively and sustained a career in the manufacturing sector prior to higher education.
The event was attended by several faculty and staff members from Baker College, demonstrating their support. Additionally, each recipient was presented with a framed copy of their feature in DBusiness magazine.
“My journey has not been void of struggles, but I am glad to have persisted and prevailed through pressure and demands. But more importantly, I am able to use my leadership position as an example to our students of how your personal background, gender, and other variables are not necessarily determining factors on how successful you will be. I have had a unique path that allowed me to arrive at Baker, but with persistence, a positive mindset, and an earnest desire to help students reach and realize their potential, I’m committed to using my platform as one of influence.” -Jacqui Spicer, Baker College President
A sister publication to HOUR Detroit magazine, DBusiness is a premier business journal making an effort to recognize women business leaders in the region who are driving profits, adding employees, and opening new opportunities. President Spicer’s Powered By Women feature can be found in the July/August 2023 edition of DBusiness. Her recognition serves as a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing higher education which continues to impact students of Baker College and the community at large.