CVCC's Dr. Butler-Morello Receives Certification From Chief of Staff Association
The Chief of Staff Association (CSA) Certification took place at Harvard Business School.
05/06/2024
CAMBRIDGE, M.A.—Dr. Chanell Butler-Morello, Chief of Staff, Office of the President at Catawba Valley Community College, recently received a Certification from the Chief of Staff Association program at Harvard Business School.
Dr. Butler-Morello has been with Catawba Valley Community College since 2012, and she has served the college in several capacities. She is an avid learner, constantly seeking to implement strategies which support higher education. In 2018, she earned a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. In October 2022, she became Chief of Staff for the Office of the President. In January of 2024 she applied and was accepted into the Chief of Staff Association (CSA), the largest membership organization for chiefs of staff globally, with members occupying positions of influence in more than fifty countries.
Dr. Butler-Morello explains, within the context of a higher education institution and CVCC, a Chief of Staff role benefits the college by “streamlining operations, supporting strategic initiatives, and assisting the President with ‘big picture’ leadership and large-scale projects.”
The CSA is the only professional association that issues the industry-recognized Certified Chief of Staff® credential and offers its members an exclusive opportunity to attend an Executive Education program in one of two locations: Harvard Business School, or the University of Oxford. Dr. Butler-Morello had to submit an additional application to be admitted to the Harvard Business School Executive Education program.
Dr. Butler-Morello is the only employee at CVCC to participate in this cohort. She connected with her cohort virtually and read and analyzed extensive case studies in the months leading up to the in-person residency program at Cambridge, while serving CVCC in her day-to-day responsibilities.
In total, the Association’s cohort consisted of 55 professional chiefs of staff from 19 countries and 17 states. Many of these professionals come from renowned educational institutions and corporations. From case discussions to practical approaches, online courses to in-person presentations, participants pursued three key learning outcomes: 1. Leading with relational power; 2. Collaborative leadership; 3. Ambidextrous innovation.
Dr. Butler-Morello describes her experience as “life-changing.”
“The skills I gained and the knowledge I acquired, coupled with the lifelong friendships I developed with expert chiefs of staff from around the globe, has greatly exceeded any expectations I may have had,” she shares. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Garrett Hinshaw and the CVCC Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to my professional development. I feel fortunate to work at an institution that values the growth of their staff and faculty, and I look forward to ensuring that I utilize my new knowledge to positively impact our college as a whole.”
Through earning this Certification, Dr. Butler-Morello has developed a diverse skillset and has enhanced her competencies for the role. She is excited to use strategic thinking, project management, and problem-solving skills to drive the office’s performance and to provide seamless communication between the institution’s departments.
Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of CVCC, was an earnest supporter of this opportunity from the start.
“By supporting Dr. Butler-Morello's development as a strong leader for our college in her role as Chief of Staff, we have made an investment that will positively impact our college over the coming years,” said President Hinshaw. “Her commitment to learn and provide strong strategic support to the Office of the President is critical for our future successes here at Catawba Valley Community College.”
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