UW Students Selected for Leadership Academy Cohort

Twenty University of Wyoming students have been selected for the 2025 fall UW Leadership Academy cohort.

The Leadership Academy’s mission is to cultivate principle-based leaders equipped to impact communities across Wyoming and beyond. The innovative program is a partnership between the UW College of Business Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics, and Leadership Wyoming.

The academy -- under the direction of Chris Haller, director of the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics -- offers students a unique opportunity to engage with Wyoming’s key industries while developing their personal leadership capacity.

The second cohort will embark on an experiential learning journey exploring Wyoming’s key industries surrounding education, tourism, outdoor recreation, manufacturing, community services and energy, Haller says.

“It is inspiring to see how this program continues to grow,” Haller says. “This year’s cohort brings a remarkable mix of talent, curiosity and commitment to leadership. I am excited to watch these students challenge themselves, learn from one another and engage with the issues shaping Wyoming’s future.”

The fall cohort members selected, listed by hometown and major, are:

-- Aurora, Colo.: Hailey McGee, family sciences and human development, with a minor in aging studies.

-- Arvada, Colo.: Rebecca Straughan, economics and finance, with a minor in professional sales.

-- Buffalo: Lily Crago, agricultural communications and political science.

-- Casper: Kolten Harmsen, energy resource management and development, with a minor in reclamation and restoration ecology; and Sam Neville, management, marketing and professional sales, with a minor in leadership.

-- Cheyenne: Lily Leman, history and Spanish, with minors in honors and interdisciplinary pre-law; and Oakley Simons, management, marketing and professional sales, with minors in honors and leadership.

-- Conifer, Colo.: Colin Cleary, professional sales and management, with a minor in leadership.

-- Fort Collins, Colo.: Karmella Peters, management and marketing, with a minor in leadership.

-- Fuerstenau, Germany: Hannah Ludlage, business management, with a minor in communication.

-- Gillette: Matt Cathey, mechanical engineering; and Ivan Sapien, management (with a human resources focus) and marketing, with a minor in leadership.

-- Hoover, Ala.: Ella Cluff, management and marketing.

-- Lander: Sarah Drewry, master’s in business administration.

-- Laramie: Kyler Russow, management, marketing and professional sales, with minors in honors, and energy resource management and development.

-- Mead, Colo.: Ethan Graham, journalism, with minors in entrepreneurship and leadership.

-- Sheridan: Aaron Bujans, finance and marketing, with a minor in computer science; Ava Scheeler, finance and marketing; and Rater Tomlinson, economics and marketing.

-- Virginia Beach, Va.: Thad Blackburn, professional sales, with a minor in leadership.

Throughout the semester, the students will engage in site visits, workshops and collaborative learning experiences designed to foster ethical leadership, community engagement and career readiness, Haller says.

Academy locations, dates and focus areas for the new Leadership Academy cohort are:

-- Laramie: Thursday-Friday, Aug. 21–22, orientation and education focus.

-- Jackson/Lander: Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 3–5, tourism and outdoor recreation.

 --  Sheridan: Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 2–4, manufacturing and community services.

-- Casper: Thursday-Friday, Oct. 30–31, energy.

-- Laramie: Friday, Dec. 5, final presentations and graduation.

For more information about the UW Leadership Academy, call Haller at (307) 766-6271, email chris.haller@uwyo.edu or visit the website.

About the University of Wyoming’s Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics

The Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics is committed to developing ethical leaders equipped to make principled decisions and foster positive organizational and societal change.

About Leadership Wyoming

Leadership Wyoming is a premier leadership development program that connects leaders across the state to engage in discussions on Wyoming’s economy, communities and future. The program’s alumni network includes more than 1,000 professionals committed to civic and professional leadership.