2023 – 2024 Professional Growth Leadership Academy Cohort: What They’re Saying

Our Professional Growth Leadership Academy Cohort was asked to share their key takeaways and learning points from their three-day workshop with leadership coaches Dr. Barbara Holmes, Dr. DeJuanna Parker and Dr. Courtney Holmes.

Below are select excerpts from their responses.

michael ballin

MICHAEL BALLIN:
I found that being in a room full of my peers for the common purpose of leadership and professional development was the best part. It provided a great reference point for myself on peers that are leading professionally and allowed me to identify areas of growth. Also having professors and teachers that have a vast amount of wisdom and experience, who know a little “somethin somethin about a little somethin something,” was quite enjoyable and insightful. I found it very useful to discuss and highlight various leadership qualities, to talk about how they dress, walk, talk, their impact, etc. I left with a greater understanding of what it means to be a professional in this educational/academic workspace and the world in general.

I learned that “communication is at the heart of great leadership,” both verbal and non-verbal. I will be working on observing and being more mindful of how I communicate with others and continually looking for ways to improve. We must be very conscious of the messages we are sending out into our workspaces, to students, the community, and beyond. I will apply this knowledge to improve my communication skills to better prepare for present and future leadership roles on and off campus. I will also be practicing and applying the knowledge shared on how leaders dress and present themselves, I will be intentionally learning how to tie a tie soon. I want to be ready for when “preparation meets opportunity.”

michael bonner

MICHAEL BONNER:
My key takeaway from the leadership academy [workshop] was the reminder to be aware of my presence and to be mindful of building my personal brand. As qualitative researchers, Dr. Holmes and Dr. Parker observe phenomena, and they reminded the cohort throughout the [workshop] about the importance of presence and how leaders are under constant observation from supervisors, peers, and subordinates, whether they realize it or not. They explained that leaders need to develop their brand with attire, body language, GRE vocabulary, command presence, and letting people know your name and what you do. While I am familiar with most of these concepts, it was a healthy reminder to, “Work the room and promote your brand.”

priscilla gilletteberg

PRISCILLA GILLETTEBERG:
I learned many important skills to help prepare me as a leader, including the characteristics a leader fosters.

Learning that you can’t be a leader without any followers behind you was a great eye-opener, because I believe that there are some leaders without followers and those are the ones that make an environment unhealthy.

I was appreciative of the environment Dr. Holmes and Dr. Parker created...I felt their genuine care for us to learn and how they carry themselves— leading to us believing in them to teach us the skills of a leader. I took a lot of notes in these six hours of the academy that I will get to keep and reflect back to as I continue to grow.

victor jacobo

VICTOR V. JACOBO:
Several of my takeaways from the Professional Growth Leadership Academy (PGLA) Workshop is that a good leader is kind, present, and gracious. This resonated with me because they are basic, every day virtues that individuals can practice daily.

Lastly, two quotes resonated with me, “Let the work you do, speak for you.” And “Decisions are made at the table and in the room, and if you are not talking, you are a placeholder.”

ximena hidalgo

XIMENA HIDALGO:
[I learned that] leadership artifacts are powerful tools that simplify effective communication, reinforce culture, engage employees, plan for succession, and preserve organizational memory. They visually represent values, guide behaviors, and create a sense of purpose, leaving a lasting legacy and providing clear direction for both current and future leaders.

by MARISA MATA

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