Two CState administrators completed Ohio Leadership Academy program

Academics, Community, Faculty & Staff

Jul 3, 2023

Photo of OACC Leadership Academy graduating class - Spring 2023 — Graduates of the OACC Leadership Academy program included Cincinnati State administrators Audrey Woods (front row, 3rd from right) and Mollie Miller (2nd row, 5th from right)

Cincinnati State administrators Mollie Miller (Director of Institutional Research) and Audrey Woods (Associate Dean, Business Division) recently graduated as fellows of the newest class of the Ohio Leadership Academy for Student Success.

The academy, sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), provides a year of training, idea exchange, and immersion in how to promote student success.

“The Leadership Academy brings together people with different higher ed roles to allow a deeper understanding of how parts of each school mesh to create student success models,” said Laura Rittner, Executive Director of the OACC’s Success Center for Ohio Community Colleges.

The president of each of Ohio’s community colleges nominated two employees as fellows. The fellows then gathered in-person six times throughout the year for two-day meetings, and they worked on group projects between sessions.

Audrey said, “As a transplant to Ohio public education, the Leadership Academy was an invaluable experience. Meeting colleagues from all over the state was both fun and beneficial, and learning about policy and politics of Ohio was exactly what I needed to be a better leader for my seasoned colleagues at CState.”

“Thanks to the Academy, I feel more supported and prepared to tackle the next challenges we will inevitably face together,” Audrey added.

Mollie said, “The Leadership Academy let me witness the transformative power of collaboration and the profound impact of partnership and relationship building–the skills that are the foundation of impactful leadership. As my Pathways Project team navigated challenges together, we discovered that our collective strength far surpassed the sum of our individual abilities.”

“Through shared ideas, diverse perspectives, and unwavering support, we forged a bond that fueled our growth as leaders,” Mollie said.

The Leadership Academy is funded by several national organizations, ensuring that minimal expenses are required to participate.