Capstone Leadership Program, Summer 2021 Lyre article

CAREER OUTLOOK

Preparing the Next Generation of Professionals LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAPSTONE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.

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e know no matter their path or passion, our collegiate women are hoping for a life that is meaningful, fulfilling and makes a difference. The Capstone Leadership Program is Alpha Chi Omega’s investment in the next generation of professionals and leaders. Held virtually from February to May 2021, this interactive leadership development experience helped sisters enhance professional skills and competencies that will play a role not only in their careers but also in other areas where they can be leaders, such as civic engagement and volunteerism.

Forty-one juniors and seniors participated, and their reasons for doing so were varied.

“This semester I arranged to study abroad; however, my plans were altered due to the pandemic,” explains Sara Horvath (Iota, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign). “I was determined to make the most out of my time and sought opportunities to grow professionally and personally.”

“I joined the Capstone program because I knew this would be a great opportunity to learn how to strengthen my leadership skills,” Jenna Lee Ramsay (Alpha Gamma, The University of New Mexico) says.

“I also saw this as a chance to meet sisters from across the country. From this past year, sisterhood has become more important than ever, and I want to put myself out there as much as I can right now.”

And for Gigi Kerber (Alpha Omicron, The Ohio State University), the program gave her skills to use right away when she starts her new job in July: “I thought the Capstone program would be a great opportunity to learn more about joining the workforce and the leadership skills that I’ll need in doing so.”

Providing guidance and support along the way was a team of dedicated alumnae sisters. “I volunteered because there is a lot I wish I had known when I was a junior/senior in college about career topics,” explains Courtney Igbo-Ogbonna (Delta Tau, Minnesota State University, Mankato), who led one of the small groups of participants. “It’s important that I continue to share the knowledge that I have with our incoming young professionals because navigating the professional world can be overwhelming and confusing!”

Christin Spencer (Alpha Upsilon, The University of Alabama), another small group leader, agrees: “I know when I was in college I had so many questions, and I was comforted by the fact that I had close confidantes I could talk to about anything from work challenges to what shoes are best to commute in a large city.”

SISTERS PARTICIPATING IN A CAPSTONE SESSION 38

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Joining the program, as well, were a group of executive mentors. Diane Boone (Beta Tau, Miami University), president and founder of 2 Line Pass Team Dynamics, LLC., was happy to share her advice gained from more than 25 years in coaching and team communications.

She says, “I believe that effective communication is at the core of leadership…The ability to interact effectively with others may be the difference between success and failure in your work and personal life.”

Monica Cepero (Beta Eta, Florida State University) is the newly appointed county administrator of Broward County in Florida, effective March 2022; she explains why she was excited to connect with collegiate members: “It is our responsibility to give back and keep supporting and providing opportunities to others. After all, had others not taken a chance on me and provided me with opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

A FEW CAPSTONE PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS

SARA HORVATH

GIGI KERBER

COURTNEY IGBOOGBONNA

CHRISTIN SPENCER

DIANE BOONE

MONICA CEPERO

JENNA LEE RAMSAY

And the experience gave back to our volunteers as well.

“It has been very rewarding to connect and learn from the other executive mentors,” Monica shares. “It further demonstrates that learning is a lifelong journey, and I have learned from my counterparts in other disciplines and lines of work.” This mirrors the advice she shared with collegians: “Remember to never stop learning!”

“An ‘aha’ moment occurred during the first session when I experienced that feeling of sisterhood that I had discovered so many years ago as a collegian,” Diane recalls. “I felt the bond of sisterhood transcend chapters and years, even though I did not know any of these sisters prior to the program. That was when I knew that this was so much more than just mentoring for me.”

Each Capstone session followed a similar framework: • Warm-up activity and introduction of session competencies • Panel discussion with executive mentors sharing real-life examples of living out competencies in their career and outside of work • Small group breakouts for discussion and interactive activities to grow leadership skills • Closing with “career stallers and stoppers” to highlight the importance of developing competencies to avoid missteps in their jobs or leadership roles • Post-session work assigned to continue practicing skills and reflecting on the life participants aspire to have

Through their participation in the program, collegiate members took away valuable lessons that they’ll carry with them after they graduate, whether that’s into a professional role or as a leader in their communities and volunteer organizations.

Sara says that before the program, she hadn’t thought about what kind of work environment she THE LYRE

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CAREER OUTLOOK

needed. “Now, I can confidently say I seek companies that value flexibility, mobility and open communication,” she shares, adding that she gained confidence to participate in meetings at her internship.

Gigi says, “One thing that I enjoyed learning about was how to develop genuine and meaningful connections in the workplace. As a ‘people person,’ I love chatting with my peers and coworkers.

I loved learning tips on fostering trust, authenticity and vulnerability.”

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS PARTICIPANTS LEARNED ABOUT, BASED ON COMPETENCIES ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND EMPLOYERS, THE COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK BY KORN FERRY LEADERSHIP ARCHITECT AND AXΩ VOLUNTEER COMPETENCIES: •

•

•

• •

• •

BUILDING REL ATIONSHIPS AND TRUST DEMONSTRATING SELF-AWARENESS AND ADAPTABILIT Y LEADING INCLUSIVELY AND MOTIVATING OTHERS COLL ABORATING BEING ACCOUNTABLE AND ACTION-ORIENTED MANAGING CHANGE BEING RESILIENT

Jenna Lee highlights a piece of advice that stood out to her: “One that resonated with me the most is how important it is to own your mistakes. I believe in the power of growth, and being responsible for your actions is the first step.”

Additionally, the network created through the Capstone program is something all participants found valuable.

“The key to being a successful professional in any industry is creating a network of people around you.

You have to be connected, not just with those who work in your industry, but people who come from a number of different backgrounds,” Courtney says, adding, “The whole point of Alpha Chi Omega is to create a network of women who are there to support you in any way.”

“It’s never too early to make connections. Don’t wait to find your own mentors, and don’t wait to give back either,” Christin shares, pointing to the great 40

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connections she made within her small group. “I love that we are able to connect and learn from each other, even through a program that is 100% remote. Every meeting, I came away reinvigorated by my group.”

Jenna Lee’s Capstone network has already helped her; when she didn’t know where to start with a project, she reached out to an executive mentor for support.

She adds, “Not only do I have someone I can rely on for advice who is more than willing to help, I now have a new friend.”

“The best part of the program has been gaining inspiration from the authentic discussion and collaboration among real, strong women,” Sara says. “I went into the program focused on developing myself but along the way discovered the importance of lifting others up.”

“I would highly recommend that my peers seek out opportunities like this one,” Gigi suggests. “I think it’s easy to forget about the massive network of Alpha Chi Omega alumnae across the country. Taking part in the Capstone program has given me a glimpse into this valuable network as well as the support and knowledge that our alumnae have to offer.”

Diane adds, “My advice and hope is that everyone takes the opportunity to mentor someone in the future.

We all benefit from guidance, motivation, emotional support and role modeling throughout our lives, and there are times when we can be both – the mentor and the mentee – even at the same time.”

Sisters interested in taking up Gigi’s and Diane’s recommendations are in luck! We hope to offer another round of the Capstone Leadership Program in the future; any details will be sent via email and shared on social media. And sisters of all ages are always welcome to join Women & Wisdom: Alpha Chi Omega’s Network of Real, Strong Women. Career advice, resume reviews and professional connections are just a click away at womenandwisdom.org. Anyone with questions on either Capstone or Women & Wisdom can email Director of Lifetime Engagement Arianna Bradley at abradley@alphachiomega.org.