School of Nursing Begins “Emerging Leaders” Program
Employees will attend a year-long professional development program led by Duke
Over the next year, 11 Duke University School of Nursing staff members will have candid conversations with executive leaders from across the university, conduct self-assessments, and take professional development classes as part of a new “Emerging Leaders” program in the school.
The Duke University School of Nursing partnered with Duke's Learning & Organization Development (L&OD) this fall to create a year-long curriculum that will help staff members in the School of Nursing hone leadership skills.
Supervisors and managers nominated staff members for the program, and the school’s Executive Leadership Team pared the list down to 11 finalists, which represent a diverse cross-section of School of Nursing departments and offices.
“Grow in a safe way. Learn as much as you can. Ask the questions that will develop you individually and holistically in the organization,” Keisha Williams, assistant vice president of Learning & Organization Development, said during a welcome reception for the program last week. “Embrace the value of learning and viewing ideas through a different lens as you find your strengths and areas of developmental opportunities that may currently challenge you through your journey in this program.”
As part of the school’s program, participants will form “Action Learning Case Study Teams” to work together to address specific School of Nursing challenges related to tracking graduates of the school as well as looking into an MSN Preceptor engagement and recognition program.
“As you get together in groups, you will learn as much if not more from each other, which is one of the reasons we have invested this time, and your time and energy, because we need a network of staff leaders in this school who will form a leadership network,” School of Nursing Dean Marion E. Broome told program participants during the welcome reception. “You’ll learn about each other’s jobs, and you’ll go to each other for information and support.”
Upcoming guest speakers include Duke President Richard H. Brodhead, who will make remarks about his lessons and leadership journey. Najla McClain, a senior program coordinator for the MSN Program and “Emerging Leaders” program participant, said she is looking forward to hearing from Brodhead.
“It is such an impressive investment in the staff at the School of Nursing – to be part of it is exciting,” McClain said.
Here is the School of Nursing’s first class of “Emerging Leaders”:
- Jennifer Higgins, operations coordinator, Center for Nursing Research
- Belinda Wisdom, senior program manager, Office of Global and Community Health Initiatives
- Keysha Hall, senior staff assistant, Division III
- Nora Harrington, admissions officer II
- Najla McClain, senior program coordinator, MSN Program
- Eric Bloomer, senior program coordinator, DNP Program
- Raymond Brisson, simulation technology specialist
- Libby Joyce, director, Office of Institutional Research
- Chloe Hayim, senior financial aid counselor
- Carla Nichols, information technology manager
- Wendy Conklin, financial management analyst II