University announces 2023 cohort of Aspiring Leaders

LAWRENCE — Fifteen University of Kansas staff members will hone their leadership skills in 2023 through participation in the university’s Aspiring Leaders program. This is the eighth cohort since the program launched in 2017.

The six-month Aspiring Leaders program, originally designed in partnership with the Shared Service Centers leadership, provides an experiential, hands-on approach allowing participants to learn the essentials of effective leadership to lead from where they are within their organization.

The curriculum includes classroom sessions as well as individual coaching, small group collaborations, and independent study and reflection to sustain the learning. Underpinning the program is the belief that deep awareness of self is required to be an effective leader. Therefore, participants engage in clarifying their strengths, developing their ability to manage self, thinking critically and engaging the practice of leadership through a reflective and intentional pursuit.

“KU has a number of outstanding programs to help staff develop key interpersonal and professional skills. The Aspiring Leaders program, in particular, strengthens our university by preparing staff to be future leaders within the institution,” said Mike Rounds, chief human resource officer.

The 2023 Aspiring Leaders:

• Angela Andres, Conservation Services/Libraries, special collections conservator
• Timothy Cowart, Custodial Services, custodian
• Hunter Dominguez, Graduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions specialist
• Ryan Edmonds, Center for Orientation and Transition Programs, education program specialist
• Sam Evans, Facilities, general maintenance worker
• Brian Fife, Information Technology, IT support technician senior
• Sheila Gulick, College Recruitment & Outreach, pre-health outreach coordinator
• Hira Hamirani, School of Business, DEIB Program coordinator
• McKenzie Henderson, Carruth Shared Service Center, SSC HR coordinator
• Christa Jacelone, Kansas Athletics Human Resources, assistant director of human resources
• David Neff, Information Technology, IT support technician
• Genevieve Prescher, Office of the Provost, communications coordinator
• Kimberly Quirie, Public Safety Office, police officer
• Stephanie L.H. Schmitz, KU Business Career Services, career adviser senior
• Sidney Zavala, Office of Admissions, assistant director for diversity and access initiatives.