Frogman, a term used for Navy SEALs, William H. McRaven after months of rigorous training, was suddenly asked to make a choice that ultimately determined his future for years to come: he was asked to make a frog float.
With the direction of the Student Services Department at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC), Director of Student Development JaQuacy Minter launched a workshop series for the Spring 2026 semester titled Workshop Wednesday: Come Grow with Us. It took place on Wednesdays and featured presenters leading a workshop session. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, there were no funny stories at the Student Union Building (SUB), but rather a very empowering presentation on leadership by Dr. Kevin Rose.
Dr. Rose was appointed unanimously by the NTCC Board of Trustees as the new president in Spring 2025. He became the sixth president of NTCC since its founding 40 years ago. He has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, taking a leadership role 20 years ago. Before his appointment, he served as the SVP for Student Services, overseeing instruction, student services, information technology, and outreach programs. Dr. Rose earned his doctorate in higher education leadership from East Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in computer science, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Dr. Rose spoke about the opportunities the students and staff/faculty alike encounter to develop organizational leadership skills.
The chapter he reflected on of Admiral McRaven’s “frog float” story, mentioned in the Admiral’s book titled “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog.” Dr. Rose described the training frogmen endure and how they are tasked with some of the most dangerous missions in the world. The frogmen leave training having the feeling they are indispensable for momentous missions, but at the beginning of his career, the Admiral was tasked with building a July 4th “frog float”. Feeling down and disappointed, the Admiral decided to do the task right and focus on building the best “frog float” he could.
“Someone starts somewhere,” said Dr. Rose. He expressed how leaders are not above anything that is good for the unit. How we as collaborators of our units, be it a class, job, team, family, etc., should take pride in the little jobs. Doing this shows others they can trust us with the big jobs. Good leaders focus on the ordinary days, the “Tuesdays.” Speaking of his marriage, he reflected on how we might share and enjoy the weekends with our partners, it’s the ordinary days that build the values and foundation of a successful relationship.
“From zero to CEO,” there is value in the journey, which caused me to reflect on my own career experiences from teller to AVP. We learn things that cannot be taught; resiliency, problem-solving, analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, and communication. Busting the myth of leadership, that begins with a title. I had the opportunity to help my unit with tasks that were not part of my old title, but I had the knowledge to complete those tasks, knowing in doing so it was for the betterment of the team. Likewise, I learned to recognize excellent leadership qualities and characteristics in my current superiors, but also knowing what to seek in my new team, learning the values of a supportive workplace.
He inquired of the attendees about a “frog float” we might have come upon and theatre major/veteran, Ladarrius Patterson, shared how when he was stationed in South Korea after boot camp, he was tasked with shoveling snow from a driveway of one of his superiors. Thinking about the reason for the minor task, he later learned that same superior would be vitally required to hand deliver orders should a crisis occur, for this happened during the South Korea missile crisis. Asserting that while at the time the task might have been small, it was important for the whole.
Following this, Dr. Rose talked about one of his “frog floats.” While in graduate school, for an assignment he was placed in a group that would work collectively. The group commissioned him to complete most of the work since he was receiving level 5 graduate credits compared to the rest of the group’s level 4 credits. Feeling the group didn’t pull their weight, he had a conversation with the professor; a conversation he says he regrets to this day. The professor’s response was the same story of the frogmen Dr. Rose just shared.
We all have or will have our “frog floats,” and that is where leadership is made. When that moment comes Dr. Rose let us know of the three options we will have to decide on. We could do the minimum, we could complain, or we could build the best “frog float” we possibly can.
