WKU News

The Student Activities Office recently hosted its 11^th campus-based WKU LeaderShape Institute, an intensive, weeklong experience that teaches students to lead with integrity and believe in the impossible.

A group of 48 students spent May 14-19 at the All Saints Center in Leitchfield to participate in a six-day program full of lectures, simulations and small groups known as Family Clusters, which focused on their personal values and the visions they have to better the world in which we live. The LeaderShape Institute helps participants explore not only how to make positive change, but how to develop meaning relationships that put their visions into action.

As much as the students enjoyed bonding and learning in the large group setting, Family Cluster time was by far one of their favorite moments. Leading the students through the Family Cluster sessions were Family Cluster Facilitators, respected professionals associated with WKU. The facilitators were Quiana Jenkins, Parent and Family Programs Coordinator; Chris Owens, Living Learning Communities Coordinator; Jermaine Taylor, Coordinator for Housing and Residence Life; Jennifer Markin, Associate Director, Academic Advising and Retention Center; Ashlee Manley, Manager, Orientations & Admissions and Siera Bramschreiber, Academic Advisor-Honors College.

President Gary A. Ransdell stopped by on May 15 to discuss his leadership philosophy and experience with the group. For the students, this was one of the highlights of the week.

Guest Leader Night is another component of the LeaderShape Institute that the students enjoyed. It’s designed to allow students to get to know professionals who have made positive change. The Guest Leader Night discussion featured Kayla Dowdy, Digital Media Marketing Coordinator; Dr. Aaron W. Hughey, Professor, Department of Counseling and Student Affairs; Dr. Kay Martin, Faculty, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program; Anthony McAdoo, Executive Director of the WKU Alumni Association; and Zach McKay, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing.

This year’s Program Coordinator was Joslynn Brandon, Coordinator of Student Activities; the On-Site Coordinators were Randall P. Bogard, Assistant Director of Student Activities; and Lydia Bullock, Graduate Assistant, Student Activities.

The 2017 LeaderShape graduates are: Jasmine Banks of Louisville; Justice Barnett of Norcross, Georgia; Hailee Bernard of El Dorado Hills, California; Blake Bowden of Dekalb, Georgia; Robert Bright of Elk Horn; Cameron Brooks of Indianapolis, Indiana; Haeven Butler of Lexington; Jacob Cash of Thompsons Station, Tennessee; Sam Cave of Philpot; Antonio Clements of Louisville; Donielle Coleman of Louisville; Dexter Crowdus of Louisville; Angeline Dames of Burlington; Allison Denn of Elsmere; Talysia Downing of Lexington; Kristen Eads of Versailles; Brianna Ealy of Clarksville, Tennessee; Swan Elguera of Fort Knox; Rachel Fallahay of Louisville: Kayla France of Louisville: Ciara Futrell of Smyrna, Tennessee; Will Goodlet of Vine Grove; Sarah Greer of Brandenburg; Christian Hovestol of Bowling Green; Mequeil Howard of London; Colleen Jackson of Flemingsburg; Iyonia Jackson of Campbellsville; Andrew Kaelin of Buckner; Whitney King of Campbellsville; Jamesia Leavell of Louisville; Kanaan Lightsy of Louisville; David Lloyd of White House, Tennessee; Alexis Madry of Middletown; Marion Malone of Bowling Green; Taylor Martin of Bowling Green; Alexis Mason of Danville; William Meyer of Smiths Grove; Jolene Nguyen of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Grace Parks of Evansville, Indiana; Kendra Rankins of Madison, Tennessee; Chase Rawls of Bowling Green; Alex Reynolds of Phoenix, Arizona; Savanah Russ of Memphis, Tennessee; Yasmine Sadrinia of Somerset; Daniel Stapp of Louisville; Joe Webb of Danville; Abby Willgruber of Bowling Green; and Destiny Woodhouse of Westmoreland, Tennessee.

Contact: Randall Bogard, (270) 745-2459