Front row, left to right: Dr. Jessica Samples, NaTashia Riley, Amanda Anderson, Anne Lewis, Dr. Hong Cheng. Back row, left to right: Keith Labit, Laura Wilkerson, Josh Miller, Jacob Bland.
A total of 11 members of the faculty and staff at Southern Arkansas University recently completed the Mulerider L.E.A.D. Program.
L.E.A.D., short for Lead, Excel, Advance, and Develop, is a year-long professional development course that is designed to help promote leadership through a cohort model. SAU has used the program since the 2017-18 academic year.
“Mulerider LEAD is a great opportunity for a cohort of our faculty and staff to engage in sustained professional development over the course of an academic year,” said Dr. Connie Wilson, vice president of advancement at SAU. “Through this experience, participants deepen their understanding of leadership and SAU, building the skills they need to thrive in their roles and make a meaningful impact within the SAU community.”
The program includes information sessions, analysis of leadership qualities, coaching and mentoring, team-building, networking opportunities, personal assessment, and an action project.
Members of the program meet monthly with a different topic each meeting. Topics include leadership development, networking, and communication.
Those who have completed the program found it very helpful to both their professional and personal lives.
“I enjoyed it,” said Keith Labit, associate director of the physical plant at SAU. “I see it helping me communicate with anyone else in my department. And helping to see things from different perspectives. It has also helped me be more patient in dealing with people.”
He also said he would recommend the programs to others – both to better themselves and also to develop their leadership abilities.
“I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to better themselves through leadership or taking part in leadership administration,” said Labit.
Josh Miller, assistant professor of criminal justice at SAU, also saw the benefits of the program.
“I thought we went over a lot of great material,” said Miller, who formerly worked at the Magnolia Police Department and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. “I thought it was great to see leadership ideas from a different point of view.
In addition to the monthly meetings, participants were also required to complete reading assignments as well as an action project.
Each L.E.A.D. class works on a year-long project. This year, the group decided on a project to help promote the Counseling Center, which is free and open to SAU students, faculty, and staff.
Participants in the 2024-25 L.E.A.D. program were Amanda Anderson, Jacob Bland, Dr. Hong Cheng, Kandice Herron, Stacey Hickson, Keith Labit, Anne Lewis, Josh Miller, Natashia Riley, Dr. Jessica Samples, and Laura Wilkerson.
About SAU:
SAU, located in Magnolia, Arkansas, provides students with a complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
