Participating in the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy has been one of my most rewarding professional experiences.  Being part of the Academy has offered me the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of our system and its unique history, to learn about leadership from successful leaders both inside and outside our system, and to form a network of community college colleagues across the state that will be with me for the remainder of my career in Alabama.   

Dr. Ashli Boutwell
Grants and External Funding/English Instructor
Wallace Community College-Dothan

The opportunity to attend the Alabama Leadership Academy was important to
my overall college employee experience.  I was enrolled in the academy to broaden my horizon in the Alabama Community College System.  Truthfully, my career and educational background was as an instructor of English as well as Adult Education.  Therefore, my focus had always been students, retention, and outcome.

However, through this academy experience, I was exposed to many different facets of the community college that directly as well as indirectly affects the college student. Currently, I have to consider that a college is a business (I knew this, but it was not my focus) now, I am cognizant that my position as Coordinator of Developmental Studies is a part of the college system and the components of any department must consider the legalities, ethics, and economic focus of supply and demand as it relates to the students as well as to the community college system.

In addition, this opportunity has afforded me the opportunity to meet other
community college personnel to add to my network of associates.  We have shared concerns and experiences that have broadened my understanding that each individual college is part of the Alabama Community College System; therefore, the issues and concerns at individual colleges affect the entire college system.

Consequently, the committee who has given much time and energy (Dr. Hardy,
Dr. Stone, and Lynn Crenshaw) have been very supportive to each member of the Academy.  I know that has been very much appreciated by all of us.  As we
go into the last phase ( maybe, even the most challenging phase to date), I am sure that I will leave this program a more well-rounded community college system employee.

This program has been challenging (time), but the outcome will be an employee who has gained more knowledge of how the community college operates from a broader perspective; therefore, the results of this program has given this employee a better understanding of how the entire system operates.

Shirley Buttram
Coordinator of Developmental Studies

This academy opportunity has provided me with a tremendous amount of background knowledge of the two year community college system.  It has also given me networking opportunities throughout the state.  Being able to listen to how other colleges operate provides valuable insight.

Phillip Cleveland
Wallace State Community College

The Leadership Academy reaffirms your faith in the Two-Year College system!  This valuable program offers something to everyone, no matter what their position or degree is.  The Leadership Academy is highly motivating and demonstrates the positive leadership and integrity of the Two-Year system.  The faculty and staff of UA that are responsible for the Academy are excellent! 

Rhonda Davis

I am honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy.  Professional development, such as the Academy, is instrumental in forming a network of colleagues.  I believe expanding my professional network has been one of the primary benefits of the Academy. 
 
Involvement in the Academy has provided insight in dealing with multiple campuses and personnel issues.  I was extremely fortunate to have participated in sessions related to culturally diverse student populations.  This training has provided additional knowledge that will enable me to better to serve people of various backgrounds and needs.

Self-assessments can be extremely useful in employee development.  Through the assessments offered at the Academy, I will continue to improve my leadership and management skills, thereby becoming a more effective leader for Gadsden State Community College and the Alabama Community College System. 

Kelly D’Eath
Director of Financial Aid
Gadsden State Community College

I think the thing I have benefited most about in this year’s leadership academy has been the exposure to the education side of the college’s mission. I am an accountant, and I tend to think in terms of numbers and analysis. It has been so helpful to be able to see things from the perspective of the professional educators and know that I am helping in the process of changing lives. As a newcomer to the Alabama Community College System, the information I have received about how the system works has been invaluable. I am very grateful to have been nominated by my college’s president for this experience and will take the things I have learned with me through the rest of my career.

Pat Hughes

I left each session of the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy convinced that it was the absolute best session.  Being exposed to such dynamic leaders in the two year college system, their philosophies of effective leadership, and their methods of implementing change has been invaluable.

Bernadette Jones
English Instructor & Program Director
Calhoun Community College

Leadership Academy has been one of the most valuable professional development opportunities in which I have participated.  The Academy provides participants with a variety of educational and cultural experiences as well as valuable networking opportunities with fellow colleagues in the Alabama Community College System and higher education.  By incorporating historical information with current perspectives, Leadership Academy provides a balanced overview of the development as well as the future of our System.  I am fortunate and grateful to have experienced participation in a program that is truly focused on providing rewarding opportunities for professional growth.      

Peige Josey
Director of Human Resources & Internal Auditor
Lurleen B. Wallace Community College

The Alabama Leadership Academy has been a great learning experience. I’ve enjoyed networking with colleagues from around the state. The Academy has had fantastic speakers from both in and outside the state. I recommend this program to anyone who is interested in learning about the Alabama Community College System and enhancing their leadership ability.

Dr. Jeff Luzius
Associate Dean for Library Services
Gadsden State Community College

I entered the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy with the intent to learn more about leadership at the Community College.  The wealth of information received has empowered and inspired me to work more diligently to make a difference in our System that I have always desired.  The facilitators, guest speakers, and all who were involved did an excellent job of providing the systems historical facts, current progression, and future endeavors.  With the knowledge gained as a participant, I am better prepared and motivated to accept future leadership positions in the System. This is an outstanding program and I encourage others to participate.

Katherine Malone, Ed. D.
Chair of Natural Sciences & Mathematics Division
Bishop State Community College

The Alabama Community College Leadership Academy does an exceptional job in preparing future leaders.  The curriculum outlines current issues that administrators face and challenges our critical thinking skills.  The group / individual activities, guest speakers, two-year college presidents, and campus visits were very educational as well.  The faculty, staff, and administrators of the University of Alabama were helpful at all times.  I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in the leadership components of the community college.

Dr. Alice Tyler Milton
Associate Dean, Business and Information Technologies Division
Lawson State Community College

If you want to broaden your perspective of Alabama’s community college system, I highly recommend the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy.  Through the Leadership Academy I have been exposed to the history of the community college system in Alabama, to budgeting and strategic planning, to theories of the learning college and ethical issues facing the community college today.  The array of speakers was astounding; experts in the field nation wide spoke to us.  I want to express my gratitude to everyone who was instrumental in developing and organizing this program. This experience will benefit me personally and professionally for years to come.

Dr. Teresa Ray-Connell
Wallace State Community College

The Alabama Community College Leadership Academy has provided me with the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.  The quality of sessions, presentations and presidential panel discussions, were all invaluable.  I truly believe the leadership academy is a worthwhile program for developing new leaders in the Alabama College System.  It was a wonderful experience!

Victoria D. Perry
Counselor
Bishop State Community College

The Alabama Community College Leadership Academy certificate program has provided me the opportunity to dialogue with my community college colleagues on substantive issues.  The quality of the program is excellent!  The material introduced is contemporary and covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership.  I would highly recommend this certificate program to anyone wishing to develop their administrative portfolio.

Dan Osborn, MBA, MPH, PhD
UAB Academic Programs and Policy
The University of Alabama at Birmingham

The Alabama Community College Leadership Academy allows its members a vision of the Alabama college system that is not available in the daily working environment.   From the Chancellor’s office to the State Board of Education; from the state legal division to the campus presidential office; from the campus media center to the classroom; The Academy expands the vision of the often compartmentalized individual by breaking down the borders and introducing its members to the many areas that make the community college system work in the State of Alabama.  By focusing on leadership styles, teamwork and decision-making skills, The Academy also enables its members to become better stewards of each individual campus as well.  Attending the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy has been a wonderful and enlightening experience that is to be treasured, and I recommend this experience to anyone offered the opportunity to attend. 

Andy Scales
English Instructor
Chattahoochee Valley Community College

“The Alabama Community College Leadership Academy provides extraordinary professional development opportunities to its participants.  The academy’s programmatic format enables participants to experience a unique, rich blend of learning activities.  Topics are examined in terms of their scholarship and practical applications.  This experience captured my heart as well as my mind.  I consider the academy to be the best professional development activity I have encountered within my 24 year career.  Would I recommend the academy to others?  ABSOLUTELY!”        

Jeff Shelley
Director of Admissions
Lawson State Community College

This past year has provided me the opportunity to meet and work with professionals outside my discipline from various community colleges. The scheduled speakers have presented a wealth of thought provoking information which will benefit not only me personally in my current job but also professionally the institution I represent. 

Sometimes we lose track of the bigger picture while being pulled in every direction in a sea of responsibilities in the fields and paths we choose to follow.  Fortunately, through the experience and knowledge gained from attending the Academy, I have learned a broader prospective of leadership.

I appreciate the opportunity I have had to participate in the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy, and would recommend it to any individual who has long range plans to pursue a leadership position in the community and/or institution, academically or commercially.

Shelia Smith
Director of Nursing Education
Northwest-Shoals Community College

The Leadership Academy has been a wonderful experience!  It has given me the tools I need to grow both professionally and personally.  Each seminar has provided me with something new and exciting that I can practice in the workplace as well as in my personal life.  The panel discussions have given me insight into the internal workings of the Alabama College System.  A lasting memory of the Academy is the friends that I have made throughout the year.  I have met many wonderful people from the Alabama College System and the University of Alabama.  I will never forget this experience.  Thank you for putting forth the effort to provide the Academy. 

Carolyn Woods
Coordinator of Testing
Jefferson Davis Community College