Three LSCS Staff Graduate from the Academy for Leadership and Development

Three LSCS Staff Graduate from the Academy for Leadership and Development

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Laurie Passmore, Nithy Sevanthinathan and Marian Burkhart recently graduated from the Academy for Leadership and Development after successfully completing the program requirements.

The Academy for Leadership and Development is a program developed by the Chair Academy, a division of the Maricopa Community College District, in Mesa, AZ., for the purpose of advancing organizational leadership and provides succession planning for leaders in post-secondary institutions. 

“The program was great,” said Passmore. “The best for me, was that it provided practical take-aways that I can use to achieve the highest level of professionalism in a variety of workplace situations,” she said. 

“Also because the program cohort group met for a week at the beginning of the program and for a week at the end of the program, we were able to form relationships that continue to function as a professional colloquium of ideas and support,” said Passmore. 

The Academy is a yearlong program which includes an initial week of on-site training; a practicum experience involving implementation of an individualized professional development plan focusing on the application of skills learned during training; a mentor and coaching program; and a final week of on-site training consisting of additional leadership issues. 

“I’ve never experienced more organizational upheaval in my professional life than I did in the past 18 months,” said Burkhart.

“Without a doubt, the Chair Academy was the highest-quality, most practical professional development activity I’ve ever experienced,” she said.

Some of the topics covered included: the complex role of the organizational leader, leading and managing effective teams, strategic and scenario planning, managing individual/team conflict, leading change, behavioral work styles-understanding self and others, and appreciating diversity.
Participants in the program are selected and nominated by their individual colleges to attend. 
Passmore is a training and development manager for Lone Star College System. Sevanthinathan serves as director of international programs and services for LSCS.  Burkhart is the executive director of operations for the system. 

The themes of the Leadership Academy integrate and synthesize the theory, research, and best practices of leadership for post-secondary leaders. These themes, along with the leadership topics and practicum experience, have resulted in a program that has achieved an exemplary level of success worldwide. From the first pilot program in 1992, the Academy for Leadership Training and Development has expanded its offerings worldwide. By the end of 2005, more than 5,000 leaders around the world had participated in one of our leadership programs.

Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers and LSC-University Center. With 49,250 students, it is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and third largest community college district in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

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Posted by Demilliano, Emily F on 7/16/2008 12:50:00 PM
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