The Wabash Valley Leadership Institute (WVLI) recently welcomed the 12th cohort into their group of graduates. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) and the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce partnered to launch WVLI in 2014. As a collaborative effort between the two organizations and with the support of community organizations and sponsors, the WVLI aims to engage and energize leadership efforts in the Wabash Valley. The program curriculum focuses on leadership skills with the intended effects of personal leadership growth, organizational behavioral skills and potential community growth in a leadership capacity. There were 10 participants in this year’s cohort.
- Sade’ Denton, director of health, Hamilton Center Inc.
- Tamara McCollough, director of public safety, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Lindsey English, membership and programs coordinator, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce
- Katherine Lugar, director of multicultural services and programs, Indiana State University
- Shonta Sellers, director of institution marketing, Indiana State University
- Matthew Swift, data and grants coordinator, United Way of the Wabash Valley
- Lacey Auman, technical services and manufacture science validation coordinator, Elanco
- Sara Nimori, director of residential life and student conduct, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Carrie Lutz, executive director of career services and business management, Indiana State University
- Traci Orman, attorney, Cox, Zwerner, Gambill & Sullivan, LLP
WVLI participants stayed on campus in Les Bois Hall at SMWC to eliminate distractions and ensure participants get the most fulfilling experience.
Throughout the week, some of the session topics included Thrive with Your Strengths with Dr. Dan Hiltz, Leadership in the Workplace with Amy Demchak, and, among others, Revolutionary Radical Organizational Change: The Case Study of SMWC with President Dottie L. King, Ph.D. The keynote speaker for Thursday night’s dinner was Tradera McLaurine, an Indiana State University three-time graduate. McLaurine’s address was entitled “Change Your Shoes: Finding Comfort in Your Leadership Roles,” an engaging and powerful talk about how to lead in a variety of leadership roles simultaneously. Janet Clark, provost and vice president for academic affairs at SMWC was energized by the presentation. “Tradara’s talk on being a dynamic leader was framed in a fresh way – with a shoe analogy – to keep us engaged, and she wove strong positive messages into her genuine and honest telling of her story.” Eric Hubbard, assistant professor at SMWC and chair of the WVLI task force, said about Tradera’s address, “Tradara is such a beacon of light and an inspiring presenter! Her smile and happiness are contagious, her words motivating and her message enlightening! What a fantastic evening!”
On the last day of the week-long institute, cohort members presented their team presentations, received their certificates for completing the experience and were recognized in a ceremony. The next cohort will take place in Spring 2024.