University announces Aspiring Leaders 2025 cohort
LAWRENCE — Sixteen University of Kansas staff members will hone their leadership skills in 2025 by participating in the university’s Aspiring Leaders program. This is the 10th 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 while developing insights and skills that will support their career growth at the university.
The curriculum, led by Human Resources Learning & Development staff, includes classroom sessions and small group collaborations as well as individual coaching, 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.
The 2025 Aspiring Leaders:
- Emma Bentzinger, Center for Orientation and Transition Programs, Transition Programs coordinator
- Brett Bias, Hall Center for the Humanities — Research and Grant Development Office, research development specialist
- Preston Braun, University Honors Program, student experience coordinator
- Brea Cudney Christian, Policy Administration, Office of Integrity & Compliance, Policy Program coordinator
- Grant Fitzsimmons, KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, research informatics developer
- Nina Goodkin, Student Conduct and Community Standards, prevention education coordinator
- Karl Janssen, University Press of Kansas, art director and webmaster
- Alex Jordan, Hawk Link, senior coordinator
- Jasmine Moore, Enrollment Management Services, administrative associate senior
- Aaron Dean Phillips, Information Technology, IT technician
- Jon Randle, Recreation Services, assistant director for Intramural Sports
- Erin Smith, International Short Programs, education program coordinator
- Casey Springer, KU Police Department, police officer
- Brooke Stock, Study Abroad & Global Engagement, education program coordinator
- Victoria Garcia Unzueta, Study Abroad & Global Engagement, communications coordinator
- Bee West, Housing & Residence Life, administrative associate in occupancy management.