The University of Georgia Women’s Staff Leadership Institute (WSLI) was awarded the Outstanding Program Award on July 17 at the Association of Leadership Educators 34th annual conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The WSLI was created by UGA University Human Resources with support of the Office of the President and has run annually since its inception in 2017.
Through a nomination and selection process, the WSLI offers staff members the opportunity to cultivate their own leadership development and is intended to advance the university as a whole. Participants share their knowledge with their staff colleagues, which expands the network and creates individual, organizational and community impacts that extend leadership development within and beyond the university.
“Programs such as the Women’s Staff Leadership Institute create spaces for our leaders to come together from across campus, enhancing collaboration, learning and growth for all,” said Juanita Hicks, senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer for University Human Resources.
WSLI is administered through University Human Resources’ Learning and Development and is facilitated by Emily Saunders, public service faculty in the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach.
“Developing the talents of our staff members and supporting women leaders at UGA strengthens the university as a whole,” said Jennifer Frum, vice president for public service and outreach. “When individuals grow their leadership abilities and make their fullest contributions in their careers here, we are better able to fulfill the mission of the university and serve the citizens of Georgia.”
There have been 63 graduates of the program. In 2023, the WSLI established its inaugural alumnae board, chaired by Heather Jordan, director of student services for the UGA Athletic Association and a graduate of the third cohort in 2019.
“The continued involvement of WSLI graduates sets this program apart from other leadership experiences,” said Saunders. “Though initially an eight-month experience, alumnae envisioned and created a future in which they continue to grow together and provide others with similar opportunities. Their leadership led to several new campus and community initiatives, like the formation of an alumnae board.”