Leadership Academy Graduates 15

Members of the second cohort of the University of Wyoming Leadership Academy were honored during recent graduation ceremonies recognizing their participation in the program.

Fifteen UW employees, representing a wide range of UW colleges, departments and offices, participated in the program designed to develop and enhance the skills of current and future UW leaders. The program has been successful in achieving its goals – nine of the 29 Leadership Academy graduates hold higher positions now than when they started in the academy.

They attended monthly daylong sessions covering topics such as organizational stewardship, employment law and legal issues, personal values, service, trust building and other topics. The group learned about UW’s importance to the state and attended a session of the Wyoming State Legislature.

Members also participated in action team projects covering topics including city/university relations; how UW can drive more revenue; using the campus as a testing ground; and increasing use of the UW Conference Center.

Representatives from Revolution Advisors, Mountain States Employers Counsel (MSEC) and SQLearning delivered most of the program's content. Revolution Advisors and MSEC, both based in Denver, are designed to partner with employers to maintain effective employer/employee relationships. SQLearning, of Evergreen, Colo., specializes in developing leaders, managers, sales professionals and customer service providers.

Leadership Academy members were selected through a nomination process that included a personal statement essay, appointing authority approval and selection committee review. The time period for the next Leadership Academy has not yet been determined.

Listed below are members of the first Leadership Academy program and their mentors:

Cary Berry-Smith, Student Publications supervisor, Patrick Call.

Jenn Coast, Facilities Engineering deputy director, Sara Axelson.

Aaron Courtney, Financial Services assistant manager, Josh Decker.

Rosalind Grenfell, UW-Casper Student Advising manager, Janet Lowe.

Nick Jones, Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute senior research scientist, Bill Gern.

Sue Koller, Institutional Analysis associate director, Montica Willmschen.

Lena Newlin, University Counseling Center AWARE Program coordinator, Rick DelaCastro.

Erin Olsen, Wyoming Union assistant director, Jim Scott.

Nancy Olson, Human Resources manager, Dorothy Yates.

Mary Petroski, former Human Resources manager, John Stark. 

Miguel Rosales, Outreach School project coordinator, Greg Livingston.

Lisa Sherrodd, Institutional Marketing marketing/graphic design specialist, Robert Aylward.

Arron Sullivent, Real Estate Operations assistant manager, Ben Blalock.

Joi Thomas, Athletic Department associate director of sports medicine, Mark Collins.

Elaine Welle, UW College of Law distinguished professor, Mike Massie.