Seventeen aspiring community college presidents attended the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October 2022. Hosted by the Community College of Allegheny County, the 2022 Lakin Institute provided the opportunity for potential community college presidents to analyze their abilities, reflect on their interests, refine their skills, and engage in leadership discussions with a complement of community college leaders, who serve as faculty, from across the United States. Throughout the Institute’s intensive six-day experience, the faculty leverage their community college leadership expertise and field-based practical skills to address topics such as, The Role of a Community College President; Preparing for the Presidency; Leading While Black in a New Era; Student Success and Completion; Crisis Management; Planning and Leading Strategic Initiatives; Budgeting; Generational Effect on the College Presidency; Working collaboratively with Faculty and Bargaining Units; and Governance.
According to Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Immediate Past Convener for the President’s Round Table (PRT) and Chancellor of Metropolitan Community College, “The Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership provides a uniquely personal and professional development experience for proven Fellows who demonstrate the potential for a community college chief executive officer position. Each Fellow participates in a weeklong intensive program of study with strong leadership and mentoring components. Participants are expected to immediately apply knowledge, principles, and new skills acquired or enhanced through the Institute”.
They congratulated and recognized the Fellows for their willingness to continue the journey in leadership and expand their competencies to positively impact students and our communities.
The leadership competencies for Community College Leaders from the American Association of Community Colleges assisted with framing the program curriculum for the Institute. “This year’s Lakin Institute was a tremendous success, replete with excellent learning opportunities. The sessions presented enlightened and motivated Fellows to consider varying aspects of leadership. As a past participant of the Institute, I remain in contact with many members from the cohort and faculty presenters. We may reconnect through email, a brief call, or during a conference experience. Throughout this leadership journey, I continue to absorb and learn from others”, stated Dean of the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership and President of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Dr. L. Marshall Washington.
The Lakin 2022 cohort would like to express a multitude of appreciation to all 2022 Lakin faculty for the gift of their time, talents, and experiences during the Lakin Institute.
The 2022 Lakin Institute Faculty
Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Metropolitan Community College
Dr. Quintin Bullock, Community College of Allegheny County
Dr. Merrill Irving, MBK Solutions LLC
Dr. Andrew Jones, Retired
Dr. Charlene Newkirk, Community College of Allegheny County
Dr. Tammy Robinson, Mesa Community College
Dr. Joe Seabrooks, Cedar Valley College
Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith, Pittsburgh Technical College
Dr. Walt Tobin, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Dr. Evon Walters, Community College of Allegheny County
Dr. L. Marshall Washington, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Dr. Daria Willis, Howard Community College
Mr. David Raney, Nuventive
Mr. Paul Doeg, RH Perry
Ms. Trimeka Benjamin, Swim Digital Group
Finally, we applaud Dr. Washington, Dr. Beatty, and the Presidents’ Round Table of African-American CEOs for increasing the pipeline of qualified and prepared African American presidents through the Thomas L. Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership. We also want to extend our gratitude to the other presidents who were present in Pittsburgh: Dr. Sean Madison, Tarrant County Community College – Trinity River Campus and Dr. Irvin Clark, Southern Crescent Technical College.
The 2019 Lakin Institute Fellows
Dr. Carol Ash, Central New Mexico Community College
Mr. Abdimalik Buul, California Community College
Dr. Nikki Ceaser-Small, Dallas College – Cedar Valley
Dr. Angela Davis, Durham Technical Community College
Dr. Tangila Dove, Northeast Lakeview College/Alamo College
Dr. Tiffany Evans, Community College of Allegheny County
Dr. Stephen Fomeche, Rio Salado College
Dr. Rolanda Horn, Alabama State University
Dr. Edwin Imasuen, Halifax Community College
Dr. Jonathan Locust, Jr., Winona State University
Dr. Pamela Luckett, Dallas College
Dr. John Nehemiah Harper, South Central College
Dr. LaTonya Nixon, Beauford County Community College
Dr. John Parker, San Diego City College
Dr. Stephanie Scroggins, Tarrant County College
Ms. Juel L. Smith, Community College of Allegheny County
Dr. Vladimir St Surin, Community College of Allegheny County
Save the Date:
2023 Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership
October 14- 20, 2023
Kansas City, Missouri