Two Fort Valley State University College of Agriculture employees are taking part in a program designed to enhance their leadership capabilities.
Celeste Allgood, accountability coordinator for FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program and ChaNaè Bradley, senior communications specialist for FVSU’s Agricultural Communications Department, are enrolled in LEAD21.
LEAD21 is a nine-month development process designed to hone and develop leaders at land-grant institutions. Annually, the program accepts 75 participants from across the U.S. to take part in core curriculum sessions three times a year. Allgood and Bradley who are participating in Class 12 which began June 2016, attend week long intense training sessions in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., In addition, participants use self-assessments that evaluate their leadership potential, cover various aspects of professional development and learn from peers through group activities. Bradley and Allgood will complete the program February 2017.
By participating in LEAD21, Allgood said she hopes to achieve a better balance of team, leadership, interoffice and interpersonal skills. She also looks forward to creating lasting relationships with colleagues at other land-grant universities and federal agencies. “I want to leave LEAD21 feeling invigorated and enthusiastic for the work I do in Cooperative Extension with a greater insight of what makes an organization successful and productive,” Allgood said.
Bradley, who received a $4,500 scholarship to participate in the program, said she hopes her experiences in LEAD21 will enhance skills needed to be an effective, dynamic, results driven leader. “I think leadership is crucial for the success of any organization,” Bradley said. The FVSU employee added that by participating in the assessments she’s learned about her strengths, weaknesses and how to create workable solutions that contribute to organizational goals.
For more information about LEAD 21, visit http://lead-21.org/.