Leadership Academy graduates first class

The inaugural class of the Skidmore College Leadership Academy (see names below) was honored at a graduation celebration on March 8 at the Surrey-Williamson Inn. 

In partnership with the President's Office and Human Resources, the Leadership Academy is a yearlong professional development program for campus officials including academic and administrative heads, associate and assistant deans, and others identified as emerging leaders. To strengthen the skills of those already in leadership positions and to provide career development for those seeking opportunities to lead, the academy includes assessments and advice to help participants build their own leadership styles and areas of strength, interactive workshops with national and regional experts that bolster critical leadership competencies, and networking interactions with a diverse cohort of leaders from a variety of departments.

“It has been my great pleasure to get to know this graduating class and to watch the group develop their leadership skills, their relationships, and their trust with each other,” said Barbara Beck, Skidmore’s chief human resources officer. She continued: “American scholar, organizational consultant and author Warren Bennis said, ‘The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born—that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.’ Each of our Leadership Academy graduates has been made a better leader from where they began last March.” The full list is below.

During the event, the new graduates introduced incoming members of the academy. The grads shared key learnings and takeaways from the program, as well as good wishes for the future. 

2016­–17 Skidmore College Leadership Academy graduates: 

Crystal Moore, Associate Dean for Diversity and Faculty Affairs, Academic Affairs

Kim Marsella, Director, Academic Advising

Dave DeConno, College Registrar

Marta Brunner, College Librarian

Paul Calhoun, Dean, Special Programs

Sarah Ireland, Associate Director, Admissions

Luke Meyers, Marketing Director, Communications

Andy Camp, Web Development Director, Communications

Jamie Delsoin, Senior Director, Skidmore Fund

Julia Routbort, Associate Dean for Health and Wellness, Student Affairs

Andy Demaree, Director, Counseling Center

Leya Moore, Staff Clinician, Counseling Center

Ann Marie Przywara, Director, Residential Life

Brycen Waters, Area Coordinator, Residential Life

Tasheira Parker, Area Coordinator, Residential Life

Bill Duffy, Chief Technology Officer

Tim Munro, Director, Campus Safety

John Everett, Supervisor, Dining Services

Kyle Bernard, Director, Financial Services

Mike West, Vice President, Finance and Administration