By Patsha Ramsey
The Scene staff
Deborah Carter has built a career in education following the philosophy of the artist Michelangelo, who said, “I am still learning.”
“This is a very simple but powerful statement,” she said. “Education is a lifetime endeavor. Everyone should approach life with an open, eager, curious mind and take advantage of all opportunities to learn and grow.”
Carter, 54, has been serving as interim vice president of Student Affairs this summer at Forest Park, in addition to her regular job as Access Office manager.
She took on the extra duties July 1, following the departure of Thomas Walker, who became president of Central Community College in Grand Island, Nebraska.
“I’m receiving a lot of information at once about the job,” she said. “At times, it seems stressful, (but) I enjoy the experience I’m getting, interacting with students and staff. And I’m very thankful for the support I’ve received from everybody.”
Carter grew up in the small town of New Haven. Her father worked as a manager for General Motors, and her mother was a nurse. She had two brothers.
In high school, Carter strived for success through cheerleading, served in the National Honor Society and played the saxophone in the school band.
“I was popular and really involved,” she said.
Carter later earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences at Washington University and a master’s in education at Webster University.
She went on to work at Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, teaching children how to use hearing devices and graduate students how to interact with them.
Carter also visited schools, working with parents and teachers and advocating for the hearing impaired.
“She is a wonderful person to work with,” said Lisa Davidson, 50, who helped Carter with a traveling workshop. “She’s very easy going and very easy to talk to. … She’s a great leader.”
It helps students with disabilities (hearing, vision, learning or psychiatric) succeed in college by arranging for special accommodations to make test-taking easier.
“I enjoy working with Deborah because she is very knowledgeable about disability and policies,” said Telitha Anderson, 43, a disabilities specialist. “I think she’s very committed and approachable.”
Carter’s husband, Gregory, is a computer analyst at AT&T. They have four children – Jonathan, 32, Rachel, 31, Joseph, 25, and Cameron, 18.
In her free time, Carter enjoys going to the movies and reading. She likes to travel but doesn’t do it as much as she would like.
“My favorite (colors are) different shades of blue, because it reminds me of the ocean sea,” she said.
Carter’s stint as vice president will end when officials find someone to fill the position permanently.
Carter said she has learned much from her life experiences, including a time when she was going to college full-time while raising three children as a single mother.
“Difficulties are a part of life, and I’ve experienced my share and will experience more,” she said. “I try to take advantage of supports I have and make the best decisions I can with the information and circumstances I’m faced with.
“I try to remember that difficult times do pass, and when they do, I try to reflect and understand the lessons I’ve learned because of the experience and see how I’ve grown as a person.”