DR. LINKA CORSBY: 2023 Top Lideres Award; Jacksonville

​What is your Hispanic Heritage: Mexican
​
What area of Florida do you live in: Jacksonville
What is your profession: Associate Dean

 
Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it
Dr. Linka Crosby: Associate Dean of Workforce Operations and an English as a Second Language instructor at Florida State College at Jacksonville. I got into education because I wanted to help and give back to the community. 

​Latin Times Magazine: In your industry, what separates you from your competition?
Dr. Linka Crosby: A community college serves the community and does its best to reduce education costs.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  Why do you feel you were nominated?
Dr. Linka Crosby: I feel I was nominated for this position because I have helped students find resources to continue their educational goals.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  During Covid-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it
Dr. Linka Crosby: The biggest challenge was not being able to sit with students and interact with them. However, with my team, we were able to find better resources to help students understand the material.
 
Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about your biggest achievement, and how you achieved it
Dr. Linka Crosby: My most significant achievement was securing funding for 12 English as a Second Language students interested in a pilot Medical Billing and Coding course. I contacted people in the college who put me in contact with the foundation. The foundation secured funds for the students to take the course. I also secured funding to pay for practice exams for them through another scholarship.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you?
Dr. Linka Crosby: My next steps are to continue working with my team and other departments at the college to provide workforce pathways for our students and help secure funding for their programs.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you?
Dr. Linka Crosby: Being a U.S. means having the ability to access many resources so that I can help others in turn.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation? And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation.
Dr. Linka Crosby:  The nation is divided in providing resources for minority groups. Hispanics/Latinos will play a prominent role in the future of our country because we are one of the fastest-growing minority groups. We will see an increase in Hispanics/Latinos representing our government, schools, and other higher-level positions.
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career?
Dr. Linka Crosby: The best lesson I have learned is in order to lead, you must learn how to follow.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  Is there anything I didn't ask that you would like to share?
Dr. Linka Crosby: I am the first PhD in my family on both sides.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What is YOUR comida Latina favorita?
Dr. Linka Crosby: Caldo Tlalpeño. It is a chicken and vegetable soup in Mexican cuisine. It is from Tlalpan, Mexico.