Three CAES faculty and staff participated in LEAD-21, the leadership development program administered by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The program is designed to develop leaders in land grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics, and Extension in order to lead effectively.

Shannon Wiley, Ph.D., Extension specialist in 4-H youth development; Mark Blevins, Ed.D., assistant Extension administrator for agricultural and natural resources; and Radiah Minor, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, participated in the group’s 17th class, which included three sessions on such topics as policy development, public leadership, group and team dynamics and leadership styles, and an individual learning project.

“The Lead -21 Program was a fantastic opportunity and an experience in which I am very glad I had the opportunity to participate,” Minor said. “Although we were entirely virtual this year, the LEAD-21 facilitators did a fantastic job both delivering content and fostering connections between participants. By the end of the program, I had acquired many leadership tools and had a clearer picture of myself as a leader.”

Wiley agreed that being given the opportunity to recognize, and build on, her leadership strengths was invaluable.

“I 'logged in' with a one-track perception of leadership. Now that I've completed the program, I am amazed at the growth I see in myself as a leader,” she said. “This program forces us to break down how we lead organizations and what strengths we need to 'polish' to make us even stronger in that area. I loved the fact that the facilitators were not expecting us to be perfect leaders, but teachable mentees.”