A few Q and A's with Colleen McGuire

Welcome to Delta Gamma's 7th Executive
Director Colleen McGuire, Pi-Montana.

On August 1, 2012, Delta Gamma Fraternity welcomes its 7th Executive Director, Colleen McGuire. Colleen is originally from Missoula, Montana, and is an initiate of Pi chapter at the University of Montana where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism. Her education includes a master’s of military arts and sciences from the Army’s Command and General Staff College, and a master’s of national security and strategic studies at the Army War College. Colleen’s alma mater recently awarded her the University of Montana’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Colleen is a retired brigadier general in the United States Army, most recently working at the Pentagon as Director of Manpower and Personnel, The Joint Staff. She is the first woman in the history of the U.S. Army to hold the highest law enforcement office, Provost Marshal General of the Army; first woman to command the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigations Command; the first woman to command the Department of Defense all-male maximum security prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and one of only 26 female executive leaders in an organization of over 500,000.

Below is an excerpt from a recent Q&A session with Colleen. Read more of our Q&A's on page eight of the summer 2012 issue of the ANCHORA (coming to your mailbox or inbox soon).

Q: What is your fondest DG memory (as a collegian or alumna)?
A: (This question brought the biggest smile.) I have many stories I hope to share in the years ahead but always, my fondest memories will be of my sisters of Pi chapter at the University of Montana. Peanie-toast at midnight, Heaven (sleeping quarters), the DG beach (where we sunbathed on the front porch) and the study room with manual typewriters. I know a lot has changed but my memories won't.

Q: If you weren’t entering this phase of your life with Delta Gamma, what would you do?
A: I would seek opportunities to work with and develop leadership potential and opportunities for young adults. I've witnessed tremendous transformations of young men and women who join the military, but the pace of change and high expectations challenge even the most grounded of our young adults. Every generation thinks they had it tough, but I think I had it easy compared to what these kids experience.

Q: How can you apply your military (or any other) experience to a fraternal organization? Do you see overlap, or is this role a complete departure? 
A: The military is a very fraternal organization. Its members, those who serve and have served, are bound by common values, ethics, and principles. In that manner, it is not too unlike a Greek Fraternal organization. Wherever you go, you have an instant "family."

Q: What do you imagine will be most challenging? 
A: To promote and reward our robust and active alumnae and volunteers will continue to be a challenge. Time is so valuable and DG is reliant on our active alumnae backbone. This isn't a new challenge but one that must always be in the forefront.

Q: What’s been your biggest frustration in your career so far? 
A: So much to do and so little time! 

Q: Do you have any hidden talents? 
A: If I do, they are still unknown to me. I have so many interests that probably distract me from honing any hidden talent!