Leadership Lab: Invest in yourself to lead positive change at Sewanee and beyond.

What is the Leadership Lab?

The Leadership Lab is an initiative dedicated to cultivating and strengthening faculty and staff leaders who are committed to advancing positive social change within our campus community.

This nine-month program, facilitated by Sewanee's Center for Leadership, is tailored for a maximum of 12 participants and includes personalized coaching, professional assessments, books, films, and speakers, all provided free of charge.

The Leadership Lab focuses on three primary objectives:

  1. Self-awareness: Participants delve into an exploration of their individual strengths, values, and styles, crucial components for effective leadership.
  2. Leadership competency: Empowered by newfound insights and skills, participants are equipped to initiate and drive positive transformations within the institution and the wider community.
  3. Interconnection of colleagues: The program fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual support among participants, strengthening the fabric of our campus community.

Topics that will be covered include:

  • Leadership Styles & Theories
  • Destructive/Toxic Leadership
  • Sewanee: Our Culture and Structure
  • Leadership As a Relationship
  • Modeling the Way
  • Inspiring a Shared Vision
  • Challenging the Process
  • Enabling Others to Act
  • Encouraging the Heart
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Crafting Your Personal Leadership Philosophy & Metaphor

 

 

LEADERSHIP LAB BLOG: This blog is written by Leadership Lab participants who reflect on classes and leadership projects.

 

Why participate in the Leadership Lab?

  • It is an investment in yourself (and Sewanee invests in you!)
  • It encourages you to find your voice and empowers you to act.
  • It is a chance to develop close relationships with colleagues across the institution, both faculty and staff, across the institution.
  • It is an opportunity to collaborate with others to address Sewanee’s institutional challenges.

Those who have completed the Leadership Lab report that they feel more empowered, engaged, and confident, as well as have a stronger sense of responsibility and ability to make things better on campus. They also report an enhanced sense of belonging due to their stronger and deeper relationships with colleagues across the University.

Who is invited to participate?

Full-time (9+ months/year), permanent Sewanee employees-- faculty and staff-- are given priority. Part-time and term colleagues will be considered when there is an opening. To be eligible to apply, a colleague must have worked in their current position for a minimum of one year (beginning on or before April 1, 2024). People from across the institution and at all levels are warmly invited to submit an application. The more diversity of levels and departments in the Leadership Lab, the better for all! 

When is the Leadership Lab held?

Participation includes sessions twice a month. There is also reading and preparation work required as part of the class; the expected time investment is around 2-3 hours per week, in addition to class time. The Leadership Lab is facilitated by Elizabeth Wilson, Center for Leadership director.

The 2025-26 Leadership Lab classes are held about every other week from September to early May in the Center for Leadership in duPont Library.

What is required to apply?

An application (that will be activated in early 2025) and the approval of your supervisor/department chair.

When is the deadline to apply?

The deadline for the 2025-26 Leadership Lab is April 1, 2025.

When can I expect to hear back about my application for the Leadership Lab?

On or around April 30.

Who has participated in previous Leadership Labs?

So far, the following colleagues have completed or are participating in the Leadership Lab:

Cohort 1 (2018):

(Not pictured: Andrea Del Balso)

  1. Andrea Del Balso - Office of Global Citizenship
  2. Rachel Petropoulos* - Facilities Management
  3. Betsy Sandlin - Office of the Dean of the College / Faculty (Spanish) 
  4. Romulus Stefanut - Library and Information Technology Services / Faculty (School of Theology)
  5. Amy Turner* - Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
  6. Bess Turner - Office of University Relations
  7. Elizabeth Wilson - Center for Leadership (previously with the Career Center)
  8. Rick Wright* - Dining

Cohort 2 (2019-20):

  1. April Alvarez - School of Letters
  2. Heather Brewer - University Relations (previously with Alumni Relations)
  3. Sandy Carr - Office of the Dean of the College
  4. Sylvia Gray - DEI/Title IX
  5. Colin Nelson-Pinkston* - Student Life
  6. William Shealy - Economic Development (previously with Facilities Management)
  7. Heidi Syler - Library and Information Technology Services
  8. Brittany Vaughan - Office of the Dean of the College (previously with Student Life)
  9. Jessica Welch - Human Resources

Cohort 3 (2020-2021):

  1. Matt Brown - DEI (previously with Student Life/Student Accessibility Services)
  2. Chris Champion - Human Resources
  3.  Ellen Copper* - University Relations/The Sewanee Fund
  4.  Rachel Fredericks - DEI (previously with the Career Center)
  5.  Mandi Johnson - LITS/Archives & Special Collections
  6.  Sarah Richey -  Babson Center for Global Commerce
  7.  Karen Singer* - Facilities Management
  8.  Julia Stubblebine - Dining (Stirling's)
  9.  Caroline Thompson - Dining (McClurg)
  10.  Codi Whittington* - Student Life/Residential Life
  11.  Sam Young* - Student Life/Campus Activities
  12.  Courtnay Zeitler* - LITS 

Cohort 4 (2022-2023)

  1. Joshua Booher - School of Theology
  2. Alex Bruce - Office of the Dean of the College / Faculty (English) 
  3. Cynthia Gray - Office of Medical & Health Programs / Faculty (Biology) 
  4. Georgia Hewitt- Office of Global Citizenship (previously with University Child Care)
  5. Cassie Meyer* - Integrated Advising and Career Readiness (previously with the Office of Civil Engagement)
  6. Marcus Murphy - Office of Global Citizenship
  7. Max Obermiller* - Wellness Center (previously with Athletics- Swimming and Diving)
  8. Stacey O'Sullivan* - Babson Center for Global Commerce / Public Health
  9. Cari Reynolds - LITS (duPont Library)
  10. Angie Riley* - Police Department (previously with Vice Chancellor Residence)
  11. Brody Stone* - Athletics (Basketball)
  12. Karen Tharp* - University Health Service

Cohort 5 (2022-2023)

  1. Kristen Cecala - Faculty (Biology)
  2. Lucia Garcia-Santana - Faculty (Spanish)
  3. Elise Tarhan - Counseling & Psychological Services
  4. Katie Goforth* - Office of Civic Engagement 
  5. Adam Hawkins - Library and Information Technology Services
  6. Tanya Ingvoldstad-Otero - Biehl Commons
  7. Sara McIntyre - Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
  8. Amber Smith* - School of Letters (previously with Executive Offices)
  9. Kristy Turner - Facilities Management

Cohort 6 (2023-2024)

  1. Melissa Burnette - Facilities Management
  2. Chrissy Gates - LITS: Strategic Digital Infrastructure
  3. Kaylei Goodine- DEI: Office of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX
  4. Deb McGrath - Biology Department: Faculty
  5. James Meert -LITS: Strategic Digital Infrastructure
  6. Deon Miles - Chemistry Department: Faculty
  7. Alison Miller - Art History Department: Faculty
  8. Maris Owens - Human Resources
  9. Travis Parker - Office of Global Citizenship
  10. Olivia Owens - Office of the University Registrar

Cohort 7 (2024-current)

  1. Rob Bachman - Chemistry
  2. Mila Dragojevic - Politics
  3. Tarneka Ezell - DEI/Inclusive Excellence
  4. Kevin Fouts - OESS
  5. Sarah Hamilton - Theatre & Dance
  6. Lasenia Ladd - Facilities Management
  7. Laura Beth Merrell - Admission
  8. Katy Morgan - Psychology
  9. Leslie Parson - Dining
  10. Julie Powell - Babson Center for Global Commerce
  11. Kataren Ray - Biology
  12. Elizabeth Swallow - Career Readiness & Student Success

*now leading elsewhere

 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Wilson, Center for Leadership director, at elwilson@sewanee.edu.

 

Testimonials from Leadership Lab graduates:

"The Leadership Lab helped me to both expand and refocus my pre-existing ideas about what defines a leader and what forms leadership can take. The assessments we experienced were illuminating and sometimes challenging. The connections I made with colleagues across campus continue to be invaluable."

"I loved the opportunity and freedom I had to express myself and connect with others in ways that emphasized my skills and gifts. I have certainly gained more confidence when it comes to expressing my experiences and opinions in a variety of settings."

“The most important parts of the Leadership Lab have been the connections I have made and the intentional time that has been created to think about my purpose. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to start exploring and refining your leadership style.”

“I’ve improved consistently in various core competencies, and I have language that clearly defines what to improve and how to improve it. I am going after opportunities to support the campus and bring others along with me.”

“The Leadership Lab led me to know myself better than before and have the courage to stay on my course, even if I'm not sure yet where that will lead.”

“The Leadership Lab is a wonderful opportunity to discover your unique gifts and to sharpen your leadership skills. You will reflect on your own leadership journey while receiving great coaching support.”

“I am able to clearly articulate parts of my leadership journey, my purpose statement, and where I hope to be in the future. I understand different aspects of leadership and how I show up as a leader every time I walk into the room.”

“Writing my purpose statement was the most valuable aspect of the lab. The power of this information sharpens your focus on why you do what you do! Knowing your purpose is another angle of learning and knowing who you are as you become.”

“The Leadership Lab’s tools and resources have elevated how I navigate my work, connect with people, and how I view which opportunities to accept or decline."

“If you have an interest in making Sewanee a better place, this is a strategic investment of your time and energy.”

"I have a much more nuanced idea of how I lead and how my particular combination of gifts, talents, and skills can truly effect positive change across our campus and community. Not only am I more comfortable accepting opportunities to demonstrate my leadership capabilities, but I now actively seek out these opportunities." 

"There should always be time in one’s life for growth, and my participation in the Leadership Lab was just that – a true investment in my personal and professional self. That investment was evident with reflection, new relationships, and a rebooting of career goals and direction. And the University invested in me too, with the time and instruction offered with my participation. It was time well spent!"     

"If you want to learn how to be a more courageous and authentic leader; develop a deeper understanding of community, and the University community in particular; uncover your life purpose and activate it; and connect with fellow employees from all parts of the University, then apply to be in the next Leadership Lab cohort. It is a significant commitment of time and effort, but it was one of the most important things I've done, both professionally and personally."       

"One of the best aspects of the program was getting to know colleagues from all across the University, including people I don't normally have the opportunity to interact with. To realize that we all have similar goals and similar struggles, and to have a new group of people with whom I can share challenges and successes, was very powerful for me. I gained empathy, understanding, support, and new friendships that I will carry with me."