Faculty and staff representing the Arkansas Tech University community are learning about themselves, their colleagues and their institution as part of the inaugural Leadership TECH cohort.
“Self-awareness, self-assessment and emotional intelligence are key foundations of leadership,” said Dr. Jeff Mott, chief of staff in the Office of the President and one of the designers and facilitators of the Leadership TECH program. “Those fundamentals are critical to effective team building, which allows participants to construct a broader and deeper professional network across disciplines.”
Dr. Mary Gunter, dean of the Graduate College and the College of Education, is also a principal designer of Leadership TECH and part of the program development team.
“Probably the most feedback I have received from cohort members is that they have the opportunity to get to know and develop relationships with people whom they might not have otherwise known,” said Gunter. “Ultimately, that builds leadership capacity across the university.”
The members of the inaugural Leadership TECH cohort are participating in a two-year program. During the 2017-18 academic year, they will engage in collaborative, innovative projects to benefit Arkansas Tech.
During Leadership TECH activities on the last Friday of each month, participants are exposed to a different operating area of the university. Areas explored in recent months have included academic affairs and athletics. In the months to come, the cohort will learn details about student services, administration and finance, advancement and Ozark campus, as well as information about how each of those organizations support each other, the leadership challenges they face and the overall mission of Arkansas Tech.
Members of Leadership TECH cohort one are:
*Dr. Jeff Aulgur, department head, Department of Professional Studies
*Pat Chronister, assistant to the vice president, Office of Academic Affairs
*Jana Crouch, director of academic services, Office of Academic Affairs
*Melanie Diffey, career counselor, Norman Career Services
*Dr. Fatima Ferguson, assistant professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
*Dr. Beth Giroir, interim assistant vice president, Office of Student Success Initiatives
*Dr. Caroline Hackerott, assistant professor, Department of Emergency Management
*Aubrey Holt, director of campus life, Office of Campus Life
*Dr. Gina Kraft, assistant professor, Department of Health and Physical Education
*Lesley Krohn, workforce education instructor for registered nursing, Ozark Campus
*Joshua McMillian, chief, Department of Public Safety
*Mike Murders, chief academic officer, Ozark Campus
*Susie Nicholson, director of NCAA compliance, Department of Athletics
*Dr. Hanna Norton, dean, College of eTech
*Carrie Phillips, director of new media, University Marketing and Communication
*Niki Schwartz, director of student aid, Office of Financial Aid
*Dr. Jeremy Schwehm, assistant professor, Department of Professional Studies
*Jessica Smith, assistant director, Office of Budget and Special Programs
*Dr. James Stobaugh, assistant professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences
*Alison Taylor, assistant director, Office of Alumni
*Ken Wester, director, Office of Information Systems
*Dr. Rebecca Wiewel, assistant professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences
*Dr. Alaric Williams, associate professor, Department of College Student Personnel
*Brandon Wright, director of career services, Norman Career Services
The cohort includes five members of the Leadership TECH program development team. They are also serving as program facilitators:
*Dr. Christopher Giroir, interim associate dean, Graduate College
*Dr. Lucas Maxwell, assistant professor, Department of Agriculture
*Amy Pennington, dean of students and interim vice president, Office of Student Services
*Bruce Sikes, chancellor, Ozark Campus
*Brooke Southard, director of payroll/special services and interim director of human resources, Office of Finance and Administration
Members of the Arkansas Tech faculty and staff interested in participating in Leadership TECH cohort two will receive nomination information in early February 2017.
Below are examples of what Leadership TECH cohort one members are saying about the program:
“Leadership TECH has expanded my view of Arkansas Tech and how the university’s mission is carried out each day. I have forged new relationships and strengthen existing ones to allow for collaboration across campus. I have a greater understanding of my role within the university and how I can work with others to further the goals of Arkansas Tech.” — Aubrey Holt
“It has helped me understand myself. Distributed leadership is not just delegation or pawning off of responsibilities. Leadership TECH has helped me confirm my style of leadership and helped me understand what to tweak in myself or at least be aware of self when leading. I have a better understanding of my counterparts needs through understanding how they might feel or act to my interactions, and I am better equipped to adjust my interactions with others by understanding why and how they might respond to the way I interact with them. Figuring out how to create an environment that is conducive to both a counterpart’s needs and my own is creating a win–win environment. Understanding that a hybrid mix of personalities in a project will more likely produce a better outcome.” — Ken Wester
“For me, meeting people from across the ATU campuses and bonding with my project team members has been the most rewarding aspect of Leadership TECH. While some of the concepts we’ve covered, such as situational leadership, seem like common sense, actually taking the time to put these concepts into practice and reflect on them has been invaluable.” — Dr. Rebecca Wiewel
“One of the most beneficial parts of Leadership TECH was the awareness of myself. For the first time, I really identified my personal values, vision and mission statement. The clear understanding of who I am as an individual and a leader has helped me to recognize and explore opportunities to impact the university and utilize these clearly defined principles in a new, meaningful way. Leadership TECH has also helped me develop new problem-solving techniques. Understanding how components function individually and how various university components work together and impact one another has helped me to tackle complex issues and begin working to solve these in order to better the university. Without the knowledge of systems, sub-systems and partnerships, I’m not sure I would feel as comfortable taking on such challenges.” — Carrie Phillips
“The relationships I have built with people across campus, some of whom I might not have had the opportunity to interact with otherwise, have been both personally and professionally beneficial. I have collaborated on multiple student-focused initiatives that originated from conversations with my colleagues in Leadership TECH. I credit the open, engaging, and innovative environment of Leadership TECH for creating the space for this to happen.” — Dr. Jeremy Schwehm
“Through Leadership TECH, what started as professional acquaintances across campus have grown into personal connections with each other. It’s easy to begin breaking down silos when, once a month, we forget they exist. No matter how self-aware you may be, Leadership TECH will teach you something about yourself, and that knowledge enables you to become a better employee, colleague, and leader.” — Jana Crouch
“The self-reflection process and the partnership style relationships I have developed through Leadership TECH gave me the confidence to apply for the program director position in strength and conditioning studies. This is a leadership role that I would have been hesitant to consider without my Leadership TECH experiences. I know more about my own leadership style and felt much more confident in my ability to be successful in this role. Additionally, I knew I had a support network consisting of everyone else in my cohort. Leadership TECH has definitely impacted me personally in significant, positive ways.” — Dr. Gina Kraft
“Being a part of Leadership TECH has been an awesome experience. The opportunities for collaboration and group thinking have really challenged me and helped me grow as a leader.” — Dr. Beth Giroir
“This program provides access and opportunities to better understand our university and its many facets. It gives you a new lease on your position and the role of service you provide to the institution as a whole.” — Melanie Diffey
“Leadership TECH is providing me with useful theory and knowledge that I can apply in my day-to-day role as a supervisor. I have been privileged to sit in the room with individuals from across campus, each coming to the table with their own beliefs of what leadership entails, and then participating with them in defining and re-defining what leadership can be at Arkansas Tech University.” — Pat Chronister
“I have really enjoyed interacting with colleagues from across campus and getting to really understand the work they do and how it impacts the overall success of the institution. Through my involvement in Leadership TECH, I have discovered more about my personal strengths and ways I can use my strengths to enhance skill set as a leader. ” — Dr. Christopher Giroir
