KU announces Emerging Leaders Academy program graduates for fall 2016
LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas Public Management Center has announced the fall 2016 Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) graduates. The graduation ceremony took place Jan. 11 in Lawrence.
The 51 graduates began their coursework in September and come from various public sector organizations across Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area, including government agencies at the local, state and federal levels as well as nonprofit organizations. The fall sessions took place in Shawnee and Topeka.
ELA is a program targeted to promising, nonmanagerial staff to help them prepare for leadership roles in their departments and agencies. Participants meet together 10 times over five months, with classes designed to help them hone their skills for positions of increasing responsibility while also growing their effectiveness in their current roles.
“Being in a training program with other public service professionals provided a great learning environment,” said Anne Forrester of the City of Gardner. “Hearing the perspectives of others, including my classmates, the instructors and our guest practitioner-speakers, has broadened my understanding of government.”
The classes are designed to help participants learn and enhance skills in leadership, organizational dynamics, communication and career planning to help them identify and achieve their professional goals while equipping them to make even stronger contributions at work.
“ELA supplied me with tools that will truly assist in my professional development,” said Mychal Davis, a participant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Organizations that invest in sending staff to ELA gain a more prepared and engaged talent pool to draw from as they plan for the future.
“We hear from our graduates — and their supervisors — that the program re-energizes them and reminds them that their work matters,” said Noel Rasor, ELA program manager. ”This is particularly important in this era when public servants are so often portrayed negatively. The Emerging Leaders Academy, like all of our PMC programs, recognizes and celebrates the significant contributions these individuals make to our communities in this very challenging environment.”
When limited public budgets mean that many public employees aren’t seeing pay increases, professional development opportunities offer a way for organizations to show their staff that they are recognized and valued. “The vast majority of our graduates remain in their organizations, even several years after graduation,” Rasor said. “Keeping these high-potential staff engaged helps ensure that public organizations are well-positioned for the future.”
The Spring 2017 ELA session begins March 1 with classes offered in Overland Park and in Topeka. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 20. For more information or to apply, visit the KU Public Management Center’s website (www.kupmc.org) or contact Noel Rasor at noel@ku.edu or (785) 864-6864.
The list of graduates is below:
Kansas
Douglas County
Lawrence
Elizabeth Benfield, University of Kansas
Steven Craig, City of Lawrence
Mychal Davis, Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Andrew Ensz, City of Lawrence Department of Utilities
Sara Godinez, Bert Nash Mental Health Center
Tonya Hagedorn, Lenexa Kansas Police Department
Annette Scott, Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
Timothy M. Smith, City of Olathe
Jessica Van Meter, Douglas County Treasurer
Johnson County
Erica Immenschuh, Johnson County Government
City of Olathe
John Simmons, Johnson County Public Works
Gardner
Anne Forrester, City of Gardner
Lenexa
Hanley Barker, WaterOne
Sara Walker, City of Lenexa
Olathe
Joe Fodera, Johnson County Developmental Supports
Brenda Rehm, Johnson County Government
Elizabeth Worth, Johnson County Government
Overland Park
Vytenis Drunga, City of Olathe
Prairie Village
Brian Montgomery, Consolidated Fire District #2
William Waller, Consolidated Fire District #2
Shawnee
Spencer Rogers, City of Shawnee
Trent Menssen, Johnson County Wastewater
Miami County
Louisburg
Craig Hufferd, City of Louisburg
Shawnee County
Tecumseh
Melissa Weisgerber, Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Shawnee County
Topeka
Candice Byrd, Kansas Department of Corrections/KJCC
Darrin A Coffland, City of Topeka
Anthony Escalante, Kansas Department of Corrections/KJCC
Elaine Gaer, Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
Constanza Molina, Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Joe Perry, Topeka Police Department
Gary Smith, Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Alan Stahl, City of Topeka Fire Department
Rebeka Stanley, Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Jason Ward, City of Topeka
Wyandotte
Kansas City
Jose Gomez, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
Chloe Grabanski, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
LaMonica Upton, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
Bernard Williams, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office
Missouri
Jackson County
Kansas City
Amy Brenner, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Nyeesha Brooks, City of Kansas City, Missouri
Tess Brothersen, City of Kansas City, Missouri
G. Steven Diegel, City of Kansas City, Missouri
Alaina Maxwell, City of Kansas City, Missouri, Finance Department
Jackson County
Raytown
Scott Peterson, City of Raytown, Missouri
Platte County
Kansas City
Amanda Malone, City of Kansas City, Missouri.