The Dean’s E.L.I.T.E. Leadership Institute, a leadership development program tailored for first and second-year students, inducted its most recent members on April 3. “Emerging Leaders Illustrating Talladega’s Excellence,” represents the E.L.I.T.E. acronym that underpins Talladega College’s commitment to enriching students’ leadership skills and preparing them for lifelong career success.
The program provides opportunities for students to develop and enhance their skills in areas such as communication, decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving capabilities through active participation in group discussions, lectures from keynote speakers, and experiential learning activities. Cohort #1 includes eight students who were inducted during the fall 2023 semester and currently serve as mentors to the twenty-two recently inducted Cohort #2 members.
The project’s development stems from experiences with similar programs during the vice president for student life and dean of students, Dr. Gary L. Edwards’ own academic path.
“Drawing from the impactful experiences of programs like the TRIO Student Services Program during my undergraduate years, which provided essential mentorship, academic support, and personal and professional development, I was motivated to create a program for emerging leaders in our campus community,” said Dr. Edwards.
One of the Leadership Institute’s most valuable aspects is its partnerships with Talladega College’s Office of Career Exploration and Professional Development, Counseling and Wellness, Financial Aid, and the LEAD Firm in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Financial Aid Office teaches financial literacy skills that empower leaders to make sound financial decisions by effectively managing resources, mitigating risks, driving strategic growth, and fostering organizational transparency and accountability. Lakecia Taylor, associate director of financial aid, feels that the department’s efforts can help students become future leaders who steer their organizations toward long-term success and sustainability.
“The Talladega College Office of Financial Aid emphasizes the importance of our services in shaping the financial well-being of our future leaders, including those engaged in the Dean’s ELITE Leadership Institute. Working closely with our partners in the Division of Student Life and Success and our campus and community allies, we aim to equip participating students with essential financial skills for lifelong financial stability. This includes practical knowledge in budgeting, managing debt, and making informed financial choices, ensuring they are well-prepared to manage their finances effectively,” she said.
The Institute prides itself on attracting first and second-year scholars with a penchant for personal growth and gaining professional development. Now with the E.L.I.T.E. Workshops under her belt, Brianna Dixon, a student in Cohort #1, feels that her exposure to these skills has better prepared her now to enter the workforce.
“Specifically, I gained knowledge about managing finances, including understanding credits and loans, received brief interview preparation, and learned about employer expectations, effective teamwork strategies, and proper communication techniques—areas I hadn’t explored as a freshman. Overall, these workshops greatly enhanced my readiness for the working world,” she said.
Jarrod Benjamin, The LEAD Firm co-owner, a curriculum design and strategic development company based out of North Carolina believes their collaboration with the E.L.I.T.E. Institute sets the stage for an influx of better-prepared students entering the workforce.
“The LEAD Firm’s contribution to this co-curricular experience equips future leaders with not just the tools for personal success but also the competencies necessary to guide and support their peers. This holistic approach ensures that leadership development is seamlessly integrated with strategies for enhancing student persistence and retention, thereby preparing participants to be influential mentors and the driving force behind a supportive and engaged student community at Talladega College,” Benjamin said.
The Dean’s E.L.I.T.E. Institute serves as a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share a common passion for effecting positive change. Through collaboration, dialogue, and mutual support, students will have the opportunity to learn from each other, challenge one another, and forge lasting connections that extend far beyond the confines of the program. As these young leaders embark on this transformative journey, they do so with a sense of purpose, determination, and optimism. They understand the immense responsibilities that come with leadership, and they are committed to using their talents and abilities to effect positive change in their communities and beyond.
Students who want to learn more about how to get involved with Dean’s E.L.I.T.E. Leadership Institute, contact Dr. Gary Edwards at gedwards@talladega.edu.
