TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati earned the distinction of being the only school or conference with two representatives at the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, a program that aims to elevate participants' leadership skills to accelerate their professional growth while enhancing their ability to excel within their current roles.
Chad Allen, Associate Athletics Director of Career Advancement and Leadership, and Michael Thomas, Associate Athletics Director for Major and Principal Gifts and Senior Director of Development, were two of the 35 selected learners (17 first-year, 18 second) who took part in a week of professional development programming July 15-22 in New Orleans.
Those in the first year of the Leadership Institute began with a week of activities and key learning focused on exploring career aspirations and enhancing essential skills. Attendees spent time exploring goals, clarifying values and looking closer at their behavioral styles, as well as those of their peers. As part of the programming, administrators took part in an intensive budget activity, allowing them to engage fellow learners and refine practical problem-solving skills.
"The Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute was transformational personally and professionally," Thomas, who started at UC in February 2022, said. "It provided a conducive environment where all in our cohort could look inward and identify our individual characteristics of strength and where we have room to grow - from emotional intelligence to leadership. As a new member of the Big 12 Conference, UC Athletics will tackle some of its most impactful decision-making to-date. The timing aligned perfectly, and I'm thankful to have had this opportunity to hone my skills, so that I can more confidently contribute to our team and help position our student-athletes and athletics department through this time of change."
Year Two of the Leadership Institute focused on in-depth personality and leadership assessments that provided learners with valuable insight into their strengths and areas of improvement. They worked with a consultant to dissect assessment results and walk away with tangible applications for self-reflection. Additionally, they were assigned an intensive case study activity to hone their skills in collaboration, effective communication and the development of a capital campaign.
"Being a proud alumnus of the esteemed Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute is a major professional accomplishment for me," Allen, who joined UC in August 2022, said. "This transformational experience has granted me invaluable access to industry-leading practitioners, fostering significant personal and professional growth. Joining this distinguished network of trailblazers has reminded me of the responsibility of carrying on the legacy of Dr. Charles Whitcomb, being a teacher and champion of others. It is because of the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute that I can confidently say that I have been empowered to make a lasting impact on the student-athlete experience here at UC."
Whitcomb was a founding member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, retiring in 2012 after 40 years of service to San Jose State. He was a professor, department chair and served as the university's Faculty Athletic Representative.
Chad Allen, Associate Athletics Director of Career Advancement and Leadership, and Michael Thomas, Associate Athletics Director for Major and Principal Gifts and Senior Director of Development, were two of the 35 selected learners (17 first-year, 18 second) who took part in a week of professional development programming July 15-22 in New Orleans.
Those in the first year of the Leadership Institute began with a week of activities and key learning focused on exploring career aspirations and enhancing essential skills. Attendees spent time exploring goals, clarifying values and looking closer at their behavioral styles, as well as those of their peers. As part of the programming, administrators took part in an intensive budget activity, allowing them to engage fellow learners and refine practical problem-solving skills.
"The Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute was transformational personally and professionally," Thomas, who started at UC in February 2022, said. "It provided a conducive environment where all in our cohort could look inward and identify our individual characteristics of strength and where we have room to grow - from emotional intelligence to leadership. As a new member of the Big 12 Conference, UC Athletics will tackle some of its most impactful decision-making to-date. The timing aligned perfectly, and I'm thankful to have had this opportunity to hone my skills, so that I can more confidently contribute to our team and help position our student-athletes and athletics department through this time of change."
Year Two of the Leadership Institute focused on in-depth personality and leadership assessments that provided learners with valuable insight into their strengths and areas of improvement. They worked with a consultant to dissect assessment results and walk away with tangible applications for self-reflection. Additionally, they were assigned an intensive case study activity to hone their skills in collaboration, effective communication and the development of a capital campaign.
"Being a proud alumnus of the esteemed Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute is a major professional accomplishment for me," Allen, who joined UC in August 2022, said. "This transformational experience has granted me invaluable access to industry-leading practitioners, fostering significant personal and professional growth. Joining this distinguished network of trailblazers has reminded me of the responsibility of carrying on the legacy of Dr. Charles Whitcomb, being a teacher and champion of others. It is because of the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute that I can confidently say that I have been empowered to make a lasting impact on the student-athlete experience here at UC."
Whitcomb was a founding member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, retiring in 2012 after 40 years of service to San Jose State. He was a professor, department chair and served as the university's Faculty Athletic Representative.