Today@Sam Article

New Program Highlights 'Leading The Sam Way'

Sept. 14, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Tyler Pointer

The first cohort of "Leading the Sam Way" participants include (from left) AK Khan, John Christ, Pam Haven, Amy Payne, Michelle Meers, Ian Bracewell, Edgard Sanchez, Tess Johnson, Lynn Clopton, Jennifer Gauntt, Shantha Stokes, and Chelsea Smith. —Photo by Brian Blalock

Sam Houston State University’s Learning Academies @ SHSU has launched a new, annual leadership and mentoring program called “Leading the Sam Way” this semester as part of a strategic university initiative to cultivate emerging leaders among the university’s staff.

“Other workshops will teach you how to be a leader in the world, but there aren’t any classes that tell you how to be successful here at SHSU,” said TJ Bittick, professional development coordinator for Human Resources, who, along with assistant director of Human Resources Cindy Bradfield and director for Emergency Preparedness and Safety David Yebra, is one of the founders of “Leading the Sam Way.”

Through the program, senior leaders will offer insights on how they made it at SHSU.

“We have so many incredible leaders here at Sam; we felt it would be great if we could capture their leadership insights and share them with emerging leaders on campus,” Yebra said. “‘Leading the Sam Way’ complements the larger SHSU leadership development approach in developing a new generation of leaders to come; it will accelerate the leadership development of its participants by bringing to light lessons learned and leadership insights specific to success here at SHSU that will add a degree of confidence and clarity to their journey here.”

Led by David Yebra, "Leading the Sam Way" develops the skills potential campus leaders need to be successful at SHSU.

Participants will attend three full-day sessions spread out over the fall semester, during which Yebra will share what he learned after spending more than 50 hours interviewing various senior leaders on campus, according to Bittick. In addition, the participants will complete outside readings and assignments.

“This is an intensive, interactive program that will take these emerging leaders outside of their comfort zones by focusing on their goals and how they contribute to the whole,” Bradfield said. “It will also include opportunities for growing each participant’s network and for mentorship.”

The 2016 cohort was selected through a nomination process from their supervisors who were advised to choose someone from their staff who has worked at SHSU for more than a year and who has the potential to show great leadership qualities in the future. After the nominations were made, Bittick and Bradfield narrowed a list of 36 nominations to 12.

The staff members selected to participate in the program include Ian Bracewell, program specialist for LEMIT; John Christ, assistant director for Residence Life Facilities Maintenance Operations; Lynn Clopton, director of Student Services Finance and Budget; Jennifer Gauntt, communications manager for Marketing and Communications; Pam Haven, director of the Testing Center; Tessalyn Johnson, director of student services and marketing for the Criminal Justice Center; AK Khan, director for Business Services Facilities; Michelle Meers, assistant director of Career Services; Amy Payne, University Hotel general manager; Edgard Sanchez, senior academic adviser for the SAM Center; Chelsea Smith, associate dean of students; and Shantha Stokes, assistant director for the Counseling Center.

The 2016 “Leading the Sam Way” cohort will focus on developing the skills needed to become leaders for future positions within SHSU.

“The program’s ultimate goal is to encourage our high-potential future leaders to be motivated to stay and continue their careers at SHSU,” Bittick said.

For more information, contact Bittick at tjb005@shsu.edu or Bradfield at csb017@shsu.edu. 

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