The inaugural cohort of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program began the 18–month session with an induction dinner on May 10, 2010. Cohort I will complete in January of 2012.
Cohort I: Biographies | Cohort I: Assignments | Cohort I: Sessions
Cohort I: Biographies
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Dr. Leonardo Lombardini
- Dr. Shawn Ramsey
- Dr. Tracy Rutherford
- Dr. Scott Senseman
- Dr. Rosemary Walzem
- Dr. Heather Wilkinson
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Cohort I: Assignments
August 2–6, 2010
- Read: The Land Grant Tradition
August 9–13, 2010
- Read: The Spirit of the Land Grant Institutions
August 16–20, 2010
- Read: Harvard Business School Case Study
- Wolfgang Keller at Königsbräu- TAK (A)
August 23–27, 2010
- Complete the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI)
September 6–10, 2010
- Read: The Arbinger Institute (2010) Leadership and Self–Deception
September 13–17, 2010
- Preparation for Advocacy Presentation—Texas Forest Service
September 20–24, 2010
- Complete Personal and Professional Leadership Plan Activity Sheet
December 17, 2010
- Shadowing Experiences (Part I): Post Take-Aways and Questions
January 3, 2011
- Shadowing Experience (Part II): Submit list of preferred hosts
January 31, 2011
- Shadowing Experience (Part I): Respond to Post
February 2, 2011
- Strategic Plan: Capstone Assignment
August 22-26, 2011
- Chapter I: What is Culture? Exercises 1.1-1.3
August 29-September 16, 2011
- Chapter II: Building Blocks of Culture Exercises 2.1-2.18
September 19-23, 2011
- Chapter III: Styles of Communication Exercises 3.1-3.8
September 26-30, 2011
- Chapter IV: Culture in the Workplace Exercises 4.1-4.5
October 3-7, 2011
- Chapter 5: The Cross-Cultural Perspective Exercises 5.1-5.2
Capstone Assignment—Assigned in early 2011, the capstone assignment gave the cohort an opportunity to put leadership competencies into practice. The project was assigned as an entire program cohort with the deliverables including a presentation as well as a final written report. The presentation took place at the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program’s Graduation & Induction Event.
- Watch the video: Capstone, Cohort I: The Land Grant System in 2025
Cohort I: Sessions
Program Introduction/Overview and Welcome Dinner
COLLEGE STATION, TX (May 10, 2010)—The inaugural cohort of the newly developed AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program convened at the Hilton College Station and Conference Center on May 10, 2010.
Meeting I: Setting the Course
COLLEGE STATION, TX (September 28-30, 2010)—Cohort I of the first AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program met for the group’s first session September 28–30 in College Station. Included in the event were workshop presentations and networking opportunities.
Meeting II: Professional and Leadership Cornerstones
WESLACO, TEXAS (November 9-11, 2010)—Session two for the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Cohort I met at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco on November 9-11, 2010. Dr. Michael Gould of Texas A&M AgriLife Research provided an overview and tour of the center to start the session.
Meeting III: Leadership Cornerstones
COLLEGE STATION, TX (January 31, and February 1, 2011)—Leadership Cornerstones, held in College Station on January 1-February 1, marked the third meeting of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Cohort I held at the O. D. Butler, Jr. Animal Science Complex. Session focuses included strategies for professional communication, and building relationships and interpersonal skills.
Meeting IV: Government Relations
AUSTIN, TX (March 21-23, 2011)—Members of Cohort I of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program assembled in Austin for External Relations, Session four of the inaugural program, focusing on the Texas State Legislature, as well as managing power and influence. Dr. Richard Grant welcomed members at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown with “Tools for Change, 2011.”
Meeting V: Professional and Leadership Cornerstones
AMARILLO, TX (August 9-11, 2011)—The Randall County Extension Office, as well as the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo, TX served as meeting locations for the fifth session of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Cohort I held on August 9-11, 2011. Focuses for participants included solving problems creatively, and leading groups through conflict and change.
Graduation
COLLEGE STATION, TX (February 29, 2012)—The graduating and incoming cohorts of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program met at the AgriLife Center on February 29th, 2012. Dr. Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, welcomed cohort members, Steering and Executive Committee members as well as Agency Directors and representatives. The first cohort presented their Capstone Assignment, The Land Grant System in 2025, and received their graduation awards.
The Future
Dr. Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, asked the program Executive Committee to propose avenues to keep the cohorts involved as a group once their formal 18–month participation is completed. Their involvement would revolve around activities supporting the missions of the College and the four agencies. The following have been proposed:
- Serve as members of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Steering Committee;
- Attend AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program advocacy presentations associated with their agency or college;
- Attend the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Induction Dinner;
- Participate in AgriLife Conference planning committees;
- Serve as AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program mentors;
- Meet annually for one or two day development opportunities;
- Conduct a transfer survey in 12 months (to determine how learning experience successfully transferred to another setting);
- Ask department/unit supervisors to encourage and support continuing education opportunities for leadership development; and
- Participate in experiential learning opportunities (such as task forces, relevant meetings, and interim leadership roles).
