The fourth cohort of the Student Affairs Leadership Academy began in May of 2023 and had 9 participants. The cohort was taught that leadership extends beyond formal position and requires authentic communication and the development of a personal mission statement. Key educational sessions focused on sustainable self-care, reframing it as an ethical responsibility tied to organizational culture change and “marathon intentionality,” rather than just individual fixes for unsustainable workloads.
Participants universally enjoyed the program, finding the topics “incredibly interesting and thought-provoking.” They appreciated the diversity of content and speakers, valued the new perspectives gained from group discussions, and found the change of environment helpful for approaching work problems differently. They expressed an eagerness to “soak up all of the knowledge.”
Participants
- Anthony Buttrum, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Bailey Gambill, International Student Services
- Blake McMillen, Military Student Success
- Courtney Hicks, Student Experience Center
- Gillian Whitney, Disability Resource Center
- Kiara Goodwin, Donaghey Student Center
- Kate Lincourt, Office of Institutional Research and Analytics
- Ryan Nix, Office of Institutional Research and Analytics
- Shannon Maxwell, office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Educational Sessions
Leading When You’re Not in Charge, presented by Sharon Downs
Many people think the goal of leadership is to be in charge of others. Leadership is much more than your position in an organization. Knowing how your specific personality traits impact interactions with others can help you lead others throughout your spheres of influence.
Connection not Perfection: Practicing Authentic Leadership, presented by Kristen McIntyre
Performing well is the mark of a good employee, but extreme focus on performance can keep us from being authentic communicators in the workplace. Authentic leaders guide communication in order to create authentic and equitable workplace relationships.
My Story, presented by Mayor Frank Scott
A presentation by Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott about his journey in leadership.
Time for Another Look at Self Care, presented by Greg Adams
Sustainable self-care for professionals exposed to human suffering was presented as requiring a shift from individual fixes to intentionality and organizational culture change. It was stressed that self-care alone could not compensate for unsustainable workloads. The session promoted moving beyond draining empathy to motivating compassion , encouraging the adoption of “marathon intentionality”—including planning, pacing, and support —and reframing personal health as an ethical responsibility. The core message emphasized the need for a supportive, accountable “microculture” to prevent burnout and sustain effective care.
Leading Your Own Organization, presented by Trakenya Dobbins
Every person can be considered an organization that affects others in the world. Developing a personal mission statement and learning how to set and achieve goals that align with that mission help you stay true to your purpose in work and life.
Feedback from Participants
- I appreciate the diversity of content, topics, and speakers brought in. I also appreciate the different methods implemented for all learning styles.
- I enjoy it, it’s a nice change of pace/environment that I think will help us approach problems in our own work from a different perspective. I also have enjoyed meeting new people, I look forward to the next meeting.
- I appreciate how the content has been related to personal experiences that everyone can connect to.
- The topics are incredibly interesting and thought provoking. I enjoy the group discussions, as the topics are multifaced everyone has unique and interesting insight. Perspective is priceless.
- I have really enjoyed this lecture about what a leader is.
- I appreciate the diversity of content, topics, and speakers brought in. I also appreciate the different methods implemented for all learning styles.
- I just want to soak up all of the knowledge that I can.