Dawn Busick has been fascinated with the processes of government since she was a student, so it’s no surprise that she’s spent nearly 30 years in the public sector.
For the last two years, she’s served as executive director of Ozarks Technical Community College’s Center for Workforce Development, a role, that like her others, has been enhanced by her knack of seeing the big picture and ability to break down problems to find equitable solutions.
“Starting with student council vice president at a very early age, to the many management and cabinet positions I have held throughout my 28 years in the government sector, with those positions came opportunities to serve for many national, civic and governmental task forces, boards and committees,” Busick says.
An Illinois native, Busick started her career in the Illinois secretary of state’s office as a personnel administrator in the data processing department. She spent 24 years working in Illinois government, including a stint as Commerce Department division manager responsible for administering $15 million in statewide grants. She transitioned to Missouri state government in 2005 and went to work in the Department of Economic Development as assistant director of the work force division. Busick was promoted to director and managed a $172 million budget, 500 staff members, 43 career centers, 14 local work force investment boards and a statewide work force board.
In that post, Busick received the 2008 Jobs for America’s Graduates National Workforce Development Leadership Award for her implementation of the JAG model and her dedication to a “nation without dropouts.”
“I introduced this program to Missouri,” she says. “Our youth is our future work force, and this is one program I believe in passionately.” In 2009, she moved to her position at OTC, where Busick has said she’s creating business and community work force solutions with an eye on partner collaboration and new job creation.
“As an advocate in work force development, I have the pleasure to assist daily many people who are in need of a job as well as many businesses that are in need of a skilled work force,” Busick says. Busick describes herself as a “change-maker,” who’s not afraid to speak up as an appointed leader while providing balance to the group at large.
“I respect my superiors. I treat them with the charity I would like toward me,” she says. “And I understand the wider organizational pressures they are under.”
She has served on OTC’s strategic planning council, Missouri State University’s economic development and community impact work group and Springfield Public Schools’ envisions project. She is currently co-chairwoman of Springfield’s Education and Workforce Development Strategic Planning Committee, developing a strategic plan to meet business and industry employment needs.
“(This is) a diverse and talented group of committee members who are very engaged and committed to ensuring our future work force is top notch with cutting-edge education and job training skills in order for this community to be economically sustainable,” Busick says.[[In-content Ad]]
