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Leadership Academy

PLA logoMission Statement

The President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) is dedicated to fostering, promoting and supporting leadership and professional development among Shippensburg University’s faculty and staff. Through PLA, participants will enhance their capacity to strengthen the university’s identity, culture, and long-term success.

The PLA provides continuous executive-level professional development opportunities, empowering faculty and staff to implement innovative strategies that align with and advance Shippensburg University’s mission and vision. Engaged faculty and staff will also cultivate their individual leadership competence across the year.

 

Goals

  • Cultivate participants’ advanced leadership skills and competencies that enable them to drive innovation and positive change within the university.
  • Promote participants’ competence in effectively aligning their actions and initiatives with Shippensburg University’s mission and vision.
  • Strengthen the university’s identity and culture through leadership skill development that promotes inclusivity, collaboration, and shared values.
  • Foster continuous professional development among faculty and staff to enhance their career trajectories and contributions to the university.
  • Empower participants to design projects that have a lasting impact on the university’s long-term success.
  • Build a robust network of leaders within the university who can collaborate across departments and roles to achieve common goals.
  • Prepare participants to act as ambassadors for the PLA and mentors for future leaders, ensuring the sustainability of leadership excellence at the university.

Outcomes

  • Participants will develop and refine critical leadership competencies, including strategic thinking, decision-making, communication, and team building. They will be equipped with the skills necessary to lead initiatives and drive positive change within their respective departments and across the university.
  • Participants will emerge as skilled communicators and advocates, capable of articulating the university’s vision, mission, and initiatives to diverse audiences both within and beyond the university community. They will be prepared to engage stakeholders and foster a shared sense of purpose.
  • Participants will acquire a comprehensive understanding of Shippensburg University’s operations, challenges, and opportunities. This insider’s perspective will empower them to make informed decisions and lead effectively within the university’s unique context.
  • Participants will build a strong network of relationships with fellow faculty, staff, and university leaders. This network will facilitate ongoing collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support in pursuing common goals and enhancing the university’s identity and culture.
  • Participants will complete a project that directly contributes to enhancing the student experience, strengthening the university’s culture, or advancing a key strategic priority.
  • Participants will take on the role of ambassadors for the PLA, promoting the academy’s mission and values within the university and the broader community. They will also be prepared to mentor and support future cohorts, ensuring the continuity and sustainability of leadership development efforts at Shippensburg University.

President's Leadership Academy Members

  • Dallas Brown
  • Robin Burtner
  • Ryan Cleary
  • Michael Coolsen
  • Edward Guynes
  • Emily Harris
  • Alan Jones
  • Niky Keeseman
  • Steven Lopez
  • Blandine Mitaut
  • Damian Morales
  • Tara Richardson
  • Amanda Shotts
  • Sara Swacina
  • Lillian Valved

2025-2026 Cohort Members

  • Alice Armstrong
  • Allison Barrick
  • Laura Beckman
  • Kurt Dunkel
  • Travis Houtz
  • Brian Johnson
  • Kyunpyo Kim
  • Leonard Lovejoy
  • Matthew Maser
  • Tammy Myers
  • Kate Neiderer
  • Anne Papalia
  • Desiree Sourbeer
  • Russell Stuart
  • Westly Welty

2024-2025 Cohort Members

  • Katie Baker
  • Brandy Brady
  • Pamela Bucher
  • Colin Campbell
  • Jacquelyn Chovanes
  • Thomas Crochunis
  • Shelbie D'Annibale
  • Joao Dias
  • Corinne Goyt
  • Allison (Allie) Rippeon
  • Holly Smith
  • Brandi South
  • Kimberly Taylor
  • Patrick Taylor
  • George Vaites
  • Travis Waters

2023-2024 Cohort Members

  • Matthew Allen
  • Brigette Allen
  • Elizabeth Aragunde
  • Dhiman Chattopadhyay
  • Crissy Diehl
  • Todd Feasley
  • Joshua Frankenfield
  • Melissa Hazzard
  • Melissa McNelis
  • Alison Mellott
  • Katherine Perkowski
  • Mohammad Rahman
  • Robert Stephens

2022-2023 Cohort Members

  • Jody Burdge
  • Sean Cornell
  • Trever Famulare
  • Emily Javitt
  • Nicole Jepsen
  • Alexandria Karlheim
  • Megan Luft
  • Arelys Madero
  • Timothy Paules
  • Melanie Reed
  • Kimberly Rockwell
  • Megan Silverstrim
  • Andrew Vassallo
  • David Wildermuth
  • Emily Javitt
  • Alexandria Karlheim
  • Megan Luft
  • David Wildermuth

2020-2021 Cohort Members

  • Mary Burnett
  • Holly Garner
  • Michael Levinstein
  • Cindy Murray
  • Amber Norwood
  • William Powell
  • Antonia Price
  • Jamie Rhine
  • Alix Rouby
  • Ashley Spencer

2019-2020 Cohort Members

  • Lynn Baynum
  • Marcy Douglas
  • Christy Fic
  • James Hamblin
  • Wendy Kubasko
  • Carla Kungl
  • Hans Lehman
  • Alexa Matia
  • Joshua Shoemaker
  • Javita Thompson

2018-2019 Cohort Members

  • Sherri Bergsten
  • Lesley R. Brown
  • Rhonda Brunner
  • Irma Hunt
  • Rose Helen Merrell-James
  • Karen Johnson
  • Lily Lizama-Rodas
  • Bradley M. Nailor
  • José Ricardo-Osorio
  • Justin Sentz
  • Matthew R. Shupp
  • Lori Smith 
  • Roy E. Wiser
  • Bill Yost
Contact the Office of the President Shippensburg University   1871 Old Main Drive,   Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1301
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.