Reinhardt University celebrates Women in Leadership with a panel discussion for Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars next week, their first event for the 2022-23 academic year.
Ten women – Reinhardt leaders – will serve as panelists, answering student questions about their experiences as women in their varied roles, obstacles they have faced, inspiration, their paths to leadership, and more. Questions were prepared by students enrolled in EDU 164: Values, Character, and Leadership Development.
Each panelist will share a personal core value – influence, vision, honesty, passion, integrity, dedication, empathy, personal development, service, respect, resilience, adaptability, or authenticity. “During the panel, we will poll the students to select the core leadership values with which they identify or connect,” says Lydia Laucella, Ph.D., program coordinator for the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholars. “We will use that information to create mentor groups led by each of the women on the panel. Throughout the year, individual groups will complete volunteer or engagement activities together, with full group activities also planned.”
In addition to Laucella, Reinhardt faculty and staff participating in the panel are: Meagan Hurley, adjunct instructor; Robin McNally, assistant professor of math, Center for Student Success; Jamie Johnston, assistant dean of students, Student Affairs; Jessica Akers, executive director of the Falany Performing Arts Center and Alumni Relations; Diane Cagle, DSL, assistant professor of business, McCamish School of Business and Sports Studies; Beverly Smith, controller, Business Office; Ty Trader, prevention and health promotion director, Student Affairs; Donna Little, Ph.D., professor of English; and Charity Robertson, director of the Center for Student Success.
“I am honored to serve on the Women in Leadership panel,” says Smith. “Throughout my career I have found that mentoring plays such an important role in leadership development, and I am blessed to mentor these young ladies just as I have been supported. Being able to sow seeds and watch them grow are among the greatest accomplishments of any leader.”
The Lettie Pate Whitehead scholars are female students who receive a scholarship funded by the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation. As part of their scholarship, they participate in professional development activities and enact their knowledge and experience through volunteer activities.
The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation was chartered in 1946. It provides support for the education of female students at more than 200 colleges and universities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
