Gateway Community College (GCC) President Dorsey L. Kendrick honored Dr. Margaret Bauer with the President's Award at the college's 25th Commencement on May 25 at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Margaret Bauer, Sc. D., served higher education in the state of Connecticut for more than 30 years, first as the Registrar at Greater New Haven State Technical College (GNHSTC) and ultimately as the Dean of Development and Institutional Research at Gateway Community College (GCC).

Over the years she held several administrative positions including Registrar (GNHTC, 1978-1982), Associate Dean of Instruction (GNHTC, 1982-1986), Acting Dean of Students (GNHTC, 1984-1986), Dean of Academic Affairs (GNHTC, 1986-1992),  Dean of Academic Affairs (GCC, 1992-2002), Dean of Development and Institutional Research (GCC, 2002-2009).  She also served interim positions as Vice-President for Instructional Affairs and Acting President of Greater New Haven State Technical College. 

Affectionately touted as “the woman who could do it all,” Margaret is best known for her relentless attention to detail and remarkable ability to get things done. Her leadership style is distinctly unique. She leads by example, rolling up her own sleeves first before asking another to join her in a task. Her legendary “can-do” approach makes her an enduring favorite with colleagues and community leaders.

During her tenure she became an expert in writing grant proposals that were funded, writing new program proposals in partnership with industry and academic specialists, and developing crucial self-study protocols for the New England Association of Colleges and Universities. 

Margaret’s leadership was particularly important during the merger of Greater New Haven State Technical College and South Central Connecticut Community College in 1992.  With the birth of the newly named, Gateway Community College, Margaret worked diligently through the transition that brought two fine institutions together. As the Dean of Academic Affairs, she made sure that the students had access to the best of both institutions. 

A consummate professional, Margaret served as an advisor and key member of the President’s Cabinet, and represented the college on the New England College Board and on the Technology Commission for the New England Association of Colleges and Universities.  As the Dean of Development and Institutional Research, she led the charge to raise funds, expanding scholarship opportunities for hundreds of deserving students. 

In 2009, Margaret received Emerita Status when she retired from Gateway Community College. In retirement she continues to dedicate herself to the region’s students as a volunteer at Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven and as a generous donor to the Gateway Community College Foundation where she named a classroom and a scholarship.