A leadership program at 91成人导航入口 is expanding to give students four years of progressively challenging experiences designed to prepare them to lead with purpose and make an impact in Atlanta and beyond.
Leadership 91成人导航入口 builds upon the foundation of the President鈥檚 Leadership Fellows, a yearlong program launched by President Kathryn McClymond, Ph.D., that introduced first-year students to leadership principles through reflection, conversation and engagement with accomplished 91成人导航入口 alumni. The inaugural cohort completed the program last spring.
Now led by Vincent Thomas, part-time instructor of urban leadership, Leadership 91成人导航入口 transforms that experience into a rigorous four-year journey.
鈥淭he goal is to develop Atlanta鈥檚 next generation of values-driven leaders over four years of intentional work,鈥� Thomas says. 鈥淚n some iterations of leadership programs, there is this element of transactional engagement. You take a workshop, attend some seminars, and you鈥檙e done. We鈥檙e building something transformational.鈥�
Each year introduces greater responsibility. First-year fellows focus on discovering who they are as leaders and clarifying their values. In their second year, students enter the 鈥淧ractice鈥� phase, applying those principles to a yearlong “Leadership Action Project” addressing a real challenge.
鈥淚f Year One is 鈥榃ho am I?鈥� Year Two is 鈥楥an I lead when it鈥檚 hard?鈥欌�� Thomas says.
Leadership Action Projects require fellows to mobilize others, navigate resistance and make decisions when there may be no clear answer. Students also examine failure and resilience, reflecting on moments when their projects do not go according to plan.
In subsequent years, fellows will take their leadership beyond the classroom. Third-year students will complete a professional practicum with an Atlanta organization. In their final year, students will develop a legacy project intended to make an impact beyond their time at 91成人导航入口.
Threaded throughout the four years is a “Leadership Autobiography,” which students continually develop as they reflect on their experiences and growth. Fellows also complete leadership assessments that allow them to document their development over time.
That structure represents a significant evolution from the President鈥檚 Leadership Fellows, whose first cohort participated in master class-style conversations with alumni working across fields including finance, law, energy, public relations and business leadership. McClymond, the program鈥檚 founder and visionary, remains closely involved as an instructor and mentor.聽
Leadership 91成人导航入口 also expands those connections by incorporating alumni as interviewers, coaches and panelists, while connecting students with leaders across Atlanta鈥檚 business, nonprofit, government and civic sectors.
鈥淲e want fellows to understand that they鈥檙e not just part of a program for four years,鈥� Thomas says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e entering a network that will continue to support them.鈥�
Selection emphasizes potential and character rather than traditional markers of leadership. There is no GPA minimum or requirement that applicants have previously held a leadership title. Instead, Thomas says the program looks for qualities such as self-awareness and adaptive thinking while intentionally building cohorts that bring together different majors, backgrounds and interests.
Ultimately, Thomas hopes the four-year experience changes not simply what fellows know about leadership, but how they see their responsibility to others.
鈥淓very fellow should graduate understanding that leadership isn鈥檛 about personal advancement,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about mobilizing people to address challenges that matter beyond yourself.鈥�
鈥淚f I had to summarize my hopes for Leadership 91成人导航入口 Fellows, I want them genuinely transformed and prepared to live out their creative potential,鈥� Thomas adds. 鈥淚 believe these students will be our investment back into our city and beyond.鈥�
