Executive Director of Inspire ILEAD Institute addresses student leaders during Student Leadership Roundtable
Executive Director of Inspire ILEAD Institute addresses student leaders during Student Leadership Roundtable
On January 25, the Division of Student Affairs, Student Engagement Program, held its first Student Leadership Roundtable of the spring 2012 semester.
Dr. Valerie Thompson, director of Student Engagement Program, opened the program and greeted the audience. The program continued with a musical selection by Joel Jackson, a freshman majoring in physical education.
Whitley Linson, a senior majoring in biology, introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Lee Jones, executive director of Inspire ILEAD Institute in Duluth, Georgia. Most recently, he served as the dean of the School of Graduate Studies and professor of Educational Foundations at the University of Wisconsin at White Water.
His research interests include leadership, organizational development and environmental cultural issues for underrepresented groups in higher education. Some of the books he has edited, which are in over 50 universities throughout the country, include “Brothers of the Academy: Earning Our Way”, “Black in America: When a Ph.D. Is Still Not Enough”, and “If You Are Not On The Way, Then You Are In The Way”.
Dr. Jones has received over 180 awards and citations from various universities and organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama, speech, communication, and theater from Delaware State University. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in higher education administration, a Master of Arts degree in business administration and a Ph.D. in organization development from The Ohio State University. He is a member of several associations and organizations to include Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
In his address to the student leaders, Dr. Jones remembered prominent figures in African-American history, and spoke about the importance of knowing one’s purpose and possessing self-assurance.
“Will you be ready when leadership calls?” asked Dr. Jones. “Ask yourself what is your impact and what will your legacy be.”
Motivated by Dr. Jones’ inspirational message, students and advisors had many questions for him.
Joshua Williams, a freshman majoring in criminal justice asked Dr. Jones how he found his purpose. Dr. Jones’ answered, “I asked myself what I would do if I could do it without getting paid. That’s how I came to the conclusion.”
Lawrence Warren, a sophomore majoring in computer science, was interested in finding ways to create a synergy among the student body and was thankful for Dr. Jones’ recommendations of talking to each other in person versus using social media and texting, and using the Student Government Association in motivating students and brining them together.
The program concluded with Dr. Thompson presenting Dr. Jones with a gift of Alcorn memorabilia.
The Division of Student Affairs invites student organization members and advisors to attend the Student Leadership Roundtable series during the spring 2012 semester on February 29, March 28 and April 25. Each session will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Facility, 2nd floor Gold Room.
