MCTC’s Perry and O’Cull complete CPE’s annual leadership program

January 3, 2024
by Megan Smedley

De’Sarae Perry and Sierra O’Cull, both staff members at Maysville Community & Technical College, recently completed their yearlong participation in the Academic Leadership and Development Institute (ALDI).

ALDI is a program coordinated by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), and according to CPE, is a training and leadership development program focused on building the skills of early career, underrepresented minority faculty and staff who are on track for professional advancement through a series of interactive sessions and small group seminars.

The 21 participants were chosen from Kentucky’s public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

Perry and O’Cull participated in four sessions throughout the year, that were paired with conferences.  The sessions focused on knowing yourself, knowing your students, knowing your institution, and knowing your context. 

The two also attended the Student Success Summit at the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education’s 40th Anniversary Conference at Jefferson Community and Technical College and the University of Louisville, and the Higher EDquity Symposium at Eastern Kentucky University.

Cohort members also attended a CPE Board Meeting in Frankfort. 

Each session also included time to connect with cohort members, hear from panelists, and network.

“This has been one of the best leadership cohorts I have attended,” said Perry. “The access to knowledgeable professionals and the networking opportunities were phenomenal.  The sessions made you look at yourself as a whole from your leadership style to your mentality.  I hated that it had to end, but I am ready to seek opportunities in leadership that challenge me to be a newer, better version of myself personally and professionally."

CPE established ALDI in 2017 and then reinstated the program in 2019 after receiving a $50,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation, which targeted efforts to close outcome gaps in postsecondary education. Participants are nominated based on their leadership ability, interest in advancement and dedication to higher education.

“ALDI was a fantastic opportunity to connect with higher education professionals from across our great state,” said O’Cull. “The leadership self-exploration and experiential aspects were superb. This experience allowed me to expand my network, deepen my breadth of knowledge, and participate in key conversations happening in the world of leadership and higher education. I’m very grateful to MCTC and KY CPE for the nomination and opportunity.”

For more information about ALDI and this year’s cohort, visit http://cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/aldi.html