PRCC faculty, staff building leadership skills

POPLARVILLE – Thirty-one Pearl River Community College employees have embarked on a 10-month training program to enhance their leadership skills.PRCC workforce trainer Lee Reid is teaching the Leadership Coaching and Candy course for faculty and staff members.PRCC President William Lewis selected them because they have already demonstrated leadership ability.I firmly believe were on the cusp of a time when the challenges are going to be greater than any weve faced in higher education, Lewis told them during their first meeting. It going to fall on your shoulders. We cannot ever be satisfied with where we are. If we get satisfied, were going to be left in the dust. It a never-ending process.Your vision, your leadership, your direction for this institution is going to be critical.The group will meet with Reid for two hours every other Tuesday through December.Leadership boils down to the ability to make people want to do what the leader wants them to do, Reid said.What it really focuses on is connecting with people, building relationships and getting the best job possible done by our people, Reid said. Everybody in the world of work is being asked to do more with less.The students will spend a lot of time looking at changes they need to make to become more effective leaders, he said.Were the only people who can change us, he said. If you want something different in the way of results, you”ve got to do something different.Those participating in the class are Susan Anderson, business and commerce technology chair; Wendy Aube`, academic counselor; Raymunda Barnes, Hancock Center history instructor and lead instructor; Lee Bell, workforce training project manager at Woodall Advanced Technology Center; Rebecca Brown, WIN office technology program coordinator in Hattiesburg; Leslie Butler, Title III learning specialist; Jana Causey, Forrest County Center biology instructor and instructional area coordinator; Dr. Barbara Gandy, director of retention and adult services; Candace Harper, alumni services coordinator; Dr. Kyle Hill, director of bands; Valerie Horne, financial aid director; Lindsey Lewis, workforce and economic development specialist, Woodall Advanced Technology Center;Also, Ernie Lovell, Foundation director; Michele Mitchell, coordinator of electronic and distance learning; Tonia Moody, ADA/Civil Rights coordinator; Casey Rawls, Title III administrative assistant; Tara Rouse, health, physical education and recreation department chair and Wellness Center director; Douglas Rowell, director of public safety; Dr. Ryan Ruckel, Forrest County Center English and history instructor; Dr. Terri Ruckel, Forrest County Center English instructor; Jacki Runnels, Forrest County Center math instructor and instructional area coordinator; Dr. Jennifer Seal, math instructor and Quality Enhancement Plan director; Caycee Simon, assistant dean for student life; Gwen Smith, Tech Prep coordinator; Maggie Smith, Hancock Center director; Dr. Martha Lou Smith, Extended Education and Instructional Design director; Tom Smith, student life director; Jeff Speed, systems analyst; Dr. Amy Townsend, Title III director; Barry Upton, Adult Education Services director; and Brenda Wells, institutional research specialist.

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.