Leadership Kokomo launches 42nd class
Also, Ivy Tech focuses on future jobs on Aug. 29
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Communication. Trustworthiness. Engagement. Integrity. Empathy.
As facilitator Liz Kerns went around the room, the members of the 42nd class of Leadership Kokomo (LK) offered up the qualities they feel best define a leader.
Resilience. Humility. Leading by example. Offering encouragement. Serving others.
It was an exercise that will help guide the cohort through the year as they examine what it means to be a leader and work on skills that hopefully will prepare the 30 people participating to become leaders themselves in the local community.
According to Kerns, 950 people have gone through Leadership Kokomo since its inception in 1981. But this latest class will enjoy an experience somewhat different from those who participated in the past. Kokomo itself is now a major part of the educational process.
“We are really excited for the opportunity to continue the program,” said Kerns. “There are 30 people in the room right now from a diverse representation between companies, men versus women, socio-demographics, across the board. And that is the purpose of LK. It's fascinating to watch who applies and how they get seated, and where they come from in their professional and personal worlds.
“Leadership Kokomo changed its format couple of years ago. We have kept what has worked and elevated the things that we really felt were needed. Leadership is our first name. Kokomo is our last name. So, we felt very strongly that half of the course needed to be about real core leadership, and half needed to be about the community.”
Kerns explained that the purpose of the program is not to “sugar-coat” the information presented to the LK participants. They will learn about the local community, its challenges, and its strengths. The hope is that the participants understand what is taking place locally and nationally and will find ways to strengthen Kokomo and move it forward.
“They go through 100 contact hours over the period of nine months,” said Kerns. “LK used to do larger group projects, but we've kind of transitioned away from one-off projects. We're not only training our cohort members how to be part of the community, we’re matching them up with nonprofit organizations.”
Now, the LK participants will assist local non-profits in assessing their position in the community, their strengths and weaknesses, and then develop smaller transformational projects. The cohort members will also learn how to serve on advisory boards effectively.
“It all strengthens the fabric of the community,” said Kerns. “They have core leadership training, community engagement, and then this overarching, large-scale, one year and nine-month project that they work and get paired up with nonprofits.”
This year’s Leadership Kokomo cohort includes:
Jesse Fondots, Director of Operations, Kokomo Rescue Mission
Trilce Schneirla, Director of Development, Kokomo Rescue Mission
Megan Henry, ROSS Service Coordinator, Kokomo Housing Authority
Cynthia Dulin, Housing Case Manager for Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention, Family Service Association of Howard County
Samantha Bennett, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Engaging Minds Autism Services
Jason Holman, Credit Analyst, Community First Bank of Indiana
Cynthia Reed, Firm Administrator, Bucheri McCarty & Metz LLP
Anthony Hobbs, Comptroller, Center Township of Howard County
Travis Butts, Operations Manager, Mental Health America-Wabash Valley Region
Jennifer Roadrock, Peer Recovery Specialist, Turning Point System of Care/Community Behavioral Health
Paris Roney, Bank Manager, BMO
Faith Renken, Director of Student Life, Leadership, and Development, Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo Area
Michelle Russell, Nurse Manager, Turning Point System of Care
Brad Shepherd, Assistant Director of Facilities, Indiana University Kokomo
Amy McCloud, Employer Consultant, Ivy Tech Community College
Jessica Calderon, Plan Commission Administrative Assistant, City Of Kokomo
James Hyounggeun Kim, Intercultural Training Coordinator, Ivy Tech Community College
Jolene Yard, Life Skills Specialist, Community Health Network
Courtney Butler, Chamber Manager, Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie Collins, Director of Outpatient Services, Community Howard Regional Health
Paul Drazich, Executive Director, Turnabout Community Resource Center
Sharmaine Ellison, Registered Nurse, Community Howard Regional Health
Margo Arnett, Business Planner, StarPlus Energy
Joshua White, Training & Development Specialist, StarPlus Energy
Amanda Snyder, Spa Director, LMT, Healing Hands Natural Therapy Spa
RebekahAnn Renner, Co-Founder and Chief Administrative Officer at David’s Legacy Foundation and Howard County Democratic Party Secretary
Sunah Flores, Founder and President, Widows' Purse
Copper Hoosier, Stellantis
Gordon Morgan , Realtor, The Wyman Group
‘Tuesday@TheTech’ to focus on future jobs Aug. 29
Ivy Tech Kokomo’s next Tuesday@TheTech will focus on the College’s Ivy+ Career Link programs that provide career development services for Ivy Tech students and alumni.
The open house for prospective students is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, in the Health Professions Center on the campus at 1815 E. Morgan St. in Kokomo.
Katie Loman, executive director of Ivy+ Career Link for the Ivy Tech Kokomo Service Area, said the event would be an opportunity to learn about all the career services and support offered at Ivy Tech.
“With our experienced and caring staff members, students can get help with setting career goals, perfecting skills in resume writing and interviewing, finding internships and work-based learning, and placement into jobs with bright futures,” Loman said.
Career Link also provides a variety of talent connection opportunities and employee training for employers. “The pool of resources we offer connects students, employers, alumni, and communities,” Loman said.
This is one of a series of monthly events aimed at sharing Ivy Tech’s high-tech facilities and broad range of programming in the Kokomo Service Area, which includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties.
For more information about how to register for this Tuesday@TheTech, go to ivytech.edu/tuesdays or email Kokomo-enrollment@ivytech.edu . Walk-ins are welcome. For more information on Ivy+ Career Link, contact Loman at kloman@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5495.