Columbia College Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report

Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report 1301 Columbia College Drive | Columbia, SC 29203 1 803.786.3729 | leadership@columbiasc.edu | columbiasc.edu/SummerInstitute

Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

Executive Summary Leadership is in the DNA of Columbia College. The Center for Leadership, one of five centers within the Institute for Leadership and Professional Excellence, prepares women of all ages to assume leadership roles within their professions and communities, to lead innovation and change throughout their lives, and to be effective and principled leaders in a global society. In achieving this mission, one facet of the Center for Leadership’s focus is the support of leadership development for the next generation of women leaders: 8-12th grade young women.

Outreach to young women is a key component of the Center for Leadership’s success, including programs embedded in local school districts and signature summer residential leadership institutes on campus. The Center serves as a resource and advocate by offering specially tailored programming as well as by fostering a peer network among professional women. These combined efforts enable the College to serve women at three stages of leadership and create a network of leaders. The Center’s efforts lay the groundwork for building personal, organizational and servant leadership skills, all of which translate into her future career and life.

Core Mission: Invest in Girls’ Leadership Potential The Summer Leadership Institute is a signature program of the Center for Leadership at Columbia College, comprised of four weeklong programs housed on our campus. The series motivates and empowers middle and high school-aged young women to become effective leaders, providing participants with skill-cultivating opportunities in communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, goal setting, decision making, team-building and supportive resources for academic and personal success.

In 2016, Columbia College hosted three week-long summer residential programs on our campus as well as a new day program which focused on leadership and entrepreneurism, serving 125 girls. The programs are designed for specific age groups, layering leadership competencies and experiences over the series, which included: o Step Up (Rising 9th grade girls): 48 participants o Step In (Rising 10th-11th grade girls): 41 participants o Step Above (Rising 11th-12th grade girls): 20 participants o Step Ahead Day Program (Rising 10-12 grade girls): 16 participants Actual Outcomes  Invested in a diverse group of girls and their leadership potential at the pivotal age when girl’s leadership passions decline. Research shows that beginning in 9th grade, girls’ inclination to speak out in class, attempt new tasks, take STEM related subjects, address controversial issues or run for office diminishes. This also correlates with a decline in girls’ education and career aspirations. Through the Summer Leadership Institute, girls were empowered to become effective leaders by connecting with more than 100 professional leaders and 20 college student counselors while participating in more than 100 sessions of innovative curriculum. Evaluations indicated that graduates left ready to embrace new leadership challenges – results showed a significant increase in 13 leadership competencies.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College 

Deepen relationships with like-minded community partners which share our mission and passion for girls’ leadership development. By creating strong networks and partnerships, we all will succeed in propelling young women’s leadership confidence, therefore changing South Carolina’s indicators of limited status of women. This year, we worked closely with 58 community and regional partners (a 32% increase from last year). We also successfully implemented a new communications plan, connecting with 75 churches and 25 women’s groups. Our partners hosted girls at site locations during the program weeks, volunteered their time and they continue to work closely with us to make sure girls continue to receive the resources and support they need for future success.

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Helped schools and families recognize the added advantages of hands-on and gender specific programs that take place outside of the classroom and school year. We know hands-on learning for girls is essential. For the first time in a decade, a new day program was added to the Summer Leadership Institute, linking business and leadership together for girls in the midlands. This year we conducted 32 in-person meetings with midlands high schools during the 2016 spring semester. In addition, we connected with 45 midlands area business teachers to share information about the summer program and to learn more about how we can continue to support these young leaders beyond summer.

Our efforts saw an increase in midlands attendees, amount of nominations and girls interested in attending Columbia College.

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Partnered with grantors and in-kind partners to help nurture the long-term potential in overlooked or “average” girls and girls without monetary advantages. This year, girls who received financial support also participated in an interview process to ensure their personal passion in their leadership future. Toward our long-term success and sustainability, we had several grantors commit to awarding girls a three-year scholarship so they can experience the Summer Leadership Institute throughout high school.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

Transformational Experiences at the Summer Leadership Institute The Summer Leadership Institute is a conduit that connects thousands of girls with women leaders at every life stage. More than 150 volunteers (including 98 professional women), 20 Columbia College students and 58 community partners come together to offer invaluable resources for girls. Our programs transform the lives of girls, providing them with resources they can use for the rest of their lives.

Leaderships Skills Significantly Improved All girls were asked to rate how the Summer Leadership Institute improved their skills in 14 core leadership competencies, five indicating a significant improvement. The top areas of largest impact were: 1. Identifying myself as a leader (4.52) 2. Understanding my leadership style (4.42) 3. Working with others (4.38) 4. Goal setting and follow through (4.34) 5. Speaking in front of a group (4.32)

Additional Leadership Competencies measured*: 1. Problem Solving 2. Assertiveness 3. Ethical Decision Making 4. Speaking in front of a group 5. Conflict Management Skills 6. Learn More About my Leadership Gifts 7. Understanding the impact of peer pressure on girl’s self perception 8. Presentation Skills 9. Empathy *Girls gave a score of four or higher on eight out of the nine additional leadership competencies listed above.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

The Summer Leadership Institute Program Networking – Connections – Experiential Learning – Self Reflection – Goal Setting – Volunteerism – Wellness Curricula for all Summer Leadership Institute programs are reviewed and refreshed yearly with new, up to date learning and experiences. All program sessions are crafted to be relevant, impactful and exciting to the young women who attend. Each program focuses on a different age group, ensuring that key leadership competencies are interrelated and built upon over the series as follows: •Offered for rising 9th grade girls excited to embrace the courage to lead, learn about personal leadership styles, and to work with their peers in creative and inspiring ways.

•What is Leadership? Girls learn about the four steps of leadership and their own personal identities through an ageappropriate assessment (True Colors) and fun, interactive activities that explore their own color type.

•Basic Leadership: Girls learn to work with others in their age group and begin the steps toward building self-awareness. Girls Step Up have opportunities to interact with different experts and discover their interests.

(June 26 - July 1, 2016) •Foundations of Leadership: Interactive and engaging workshops explore the basics of leadership, which include making healthy decisions and forming healthy habits (examples -- exercise, food, working with other people).

Step In (July 10 - 15, 2016)

Step Above (July 10 - 15, 2016)

•Designed for rising 10-11th grade girls ready to champion personal talents and build a framework for leadership. Girls reinforce their strengths and work together to make an impact in their community.

•Leadership Framework: Using the Strength Finders assessment, girls discover their strengths and learn how to use their strengths in teams and leadership roles.

•Strength in Diversity: Through various activities, girls have the opportunity to work with other girls in diverse settings and learn more about how to manage different leadership styles and strengths.

•Building Leadership: Interactive workshops encourage students to identify ways to support each other and to learn more about the community/environment in which they live and go to school. This includes working together to identify an opportunity to volunteer and make a measurable impact.

•Developed for rising 11-12th grade girls ready to apply her leadership skills in the real world, shaping their future success in college and their careers.

•Leadership Refinement: Participants work with personalized Student Leadership Challenge assessments to identify their exemplary leadership skills. In addition, girls explore different leadership styles and how they apply to their future career.

•Servant Leadership: Girls model servant leadership and identify a need in the community and implement a project to help create a solution.

•Future Readiness: Students experience hands-on activities with career coaches and practice etiquette skills, networking and interviews, in addition to participating in job shadow experiences.

•New day program designed to challenge and inspire young women’s ability to lead change and innovation from within, while curating a solid set of business and communication skills.

•Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Girls learn to identify business problems and real-life solutions.

•Ideation Curation: Girls develop initiative and methods to take their ideas to the next level.

•Establishing the foundation of business and leadership: Participants begin to understand the business mindset and how to New Day Program: apply their own leadership skills in any organization.

Step Ahead •Financial Literacy and Economic Independence: Girls learn essential personal and business financial skills, practice making (June 26 – July 1, 2016) budgets and test financial models in mock marketplaces.

•Advanced Communications and Marketing: Teams to develop concepts and pitch those concepts at the end of the program.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

Program Highlights STEP UP   

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Volunteer trail cleaning on The Palmetto Trail and teambuilding activities at Palmetto Trail and Saluda Shoals Park.

Created individual memory boards, identifying core values and passions.

Participated in 30+ leadership sessions exploring individual leadership competencies, public speaking skills, time management, being assertive, healthy relationships, high school 101 and more.

Graduation Project: Teams addressed a universal issue they encountered in middle school. With the knowledge and leadership skills they have now, they explained the situations and how to solve it like a leader.

STEP IN   



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Explored individual strengths throughout the week and how to use these strengths in team settings.

Each participant received a reflective “smashbook” journal to capture her leadership reflections.

An action pack week of sessions explored essential high school leadership skills including effective communication, social branding, building healthy habits, how to run a meeting, and opportunities for conversations with women in community leadership positions.

Along with team volunteering at five local non-profits, 100% of participants conquered the Victory Tower at Fort Jackson – working together as a team to climb the tower wall.

Graduation project: As a team, girls developed a campaign or platform that supports a cause the group is passionate about. It must be social and positively impacts the community or beyond. Teams presented why the entire team should take on this cause and the role each member will play.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

STEP ABOVE   

Explored the five exemplary practices of leaders (Kouzes and Posner) and set goals for leadership development.

Program activities focused on girls’ future-readiness, offering a rigorous schedule that included participating in job shadow experiences at SCANA’s nuclear power plant and Alpha Media Communications, mock interviews, perfecting the elevator pitch, a golf clinic, team building exercises, and more.

Graduation Project: Each team formed a community outreach group to deliver a product or service that creates a positive social impact or change. Team members appoints themselves to their ideal position based on her leadership strengths.

STEP AHEAD   

Hands-on interactive activities to reinforce business and financial literacy skills, including a meet and greet with successful women at Wells Fargo and visit to 1 million cups in addition to in-class activities on financial literacy, the 5 “P’s” of marketing, guest speakers and learning about business pitches.

Practiced risk taking at Riverbanks Zoo high ropes courses.

Graduation project: Girls worked in teams of two to successfully pitch a business concept using the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Business Model.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

Summer Leadership Institute Results & Forecast The Summer Leadership Institute has a 26-year track record of not only making a difference in the lives of young women participants in the program, but also connecting these young women to peer and aspirational role models -- the college students who serve as counselors and the professional women who serve as speakers and coaches. Our short and long term goals reflect immediate, mid-range and long-term goals in three categories: Growth 1.

Continue to maximize occupancy numbers for all three camps: In process. We are on track to serve our maximum occupancy of 150, this year serving 125 girls.

Sustainability 1. Through continuous

2.

Pilot new program focused on entrepreneurism to fulfill increased demand: Completed, offering the first addition to the SLI program in a decade, working with 16 participants, while partnering and obtaining certification from the national Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

2.

3.

Implement a refreshed application process and pre-camp communication system: Completed, with refreshed application process and new telephone interview process for financial need-based scholarships, both of which received high reviews on parent survey feedback and ensured a smooth experience from application to graduation.

3.

improvement and customercentered design, position the SLI as the super-regional place for young women's leadership development. In process. We continue to build relationships with schools and community partners and make adjustments each year to curriculum and processes. Completed benchmark to Harvard School of Education/Girl Scouts leadership program model for girls.

Develop and track "path to sustainability," a mixed revenue set of earned income, corporate and foundation grants and individual contributions. In process, this year working with four new partners: Jack and Jill Foundation of America, GEAR Up/Richland Two, TD Bank and The Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation.

Enhance participant experience by closely monitoring and tracking impact results.

Completed, results showing show an above average rating overall on impact surveys for speaker presentations, facilities, food and out of class activities.

Engagement 1.

Grow amount of students who attend SLI reunions by 10%; maintain at least four touch-points to remain connected to Summer Leadership Institute alumni throughout the year, as well as in years to come. Completed, hosting second annual SLI reunion in February with an attendance of 26 girls (19% of the 2015 class).

2.

Continue tracking successes of the Summer Leadership Institute alumni throughout their career. In process, through reunion hosting, by telephone connections with program alumnae each spring and by engaging three graduates in a newly developed Junior Counselor role.

3.

Volunteer engagement: work with volunteers throughout the year to build stronger relationships. In process.

We increased the number of volunteers/volunteer hours by 8% and added volunteers to our communications channels throughout the year. Opportunity to engage in planning process and/or with the college in general.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College 4.

Develop targeted marketing and communication efforts to achieve indepth reach of secondary markets.

Completed, implementing a school visit campaign targeting Midlands area schools and high school business teachers, including more than 30 inperson meetings with schools and phone outreach efforts to 45 primary and secondary business teachers. This resulted in an increase in nominations from midlands area school and onthe-ground feedback from school and community leaders regarding the leadership focus areas that needed to be addressed in the SLI program.

4.

Increase the amount of returning campers as well as campers that become Columbia College students by 10%. Completed, surpassing estimates for returning participants 11% over last year (38% total return rate).

Tremendous grantor and community support will allow 20 girls to return next year to the 2017 summer institute on full scholarships. In addition, four girls affiliated with the 2016 SI decided to pursue their college career at Columbia College. They join five alumni from the 2015 SI program.

4.

Partner engagement and expand networks: Identify like-minded organizations and build mutually beneficial relationships.

Completed/Ongoing, strengthening partnerships with 55+ like-minded community organizations. Increased nominations 22% as the result of a successful outreach project to 75 statewide churches and 25 women’s groups. New volunteers were engaged as a result and new program offerings were developed, including the team building activity at Fort Jackson.

High Level Look at 2017 Goals: Girls:    

Increase ratio of participants to women mentors (goal – 1:1 ratio, girl to woman).

Increase retention rate of girls participating in more than one summer program (and those returning for three or more programs).

Increase total participants served by 10%, to 137. Maximum occupancy: 150.

As we continue developing partnerships and grantors going forth, focus on opportunities for girls to apply the skills learned at the Summer Leadership Institute throughout the school year (example, having girls participate in Youth Corps and Girl Scout led leadership activities, working closely with grantors on projects taking place during the year that girls can volunteer and make an impact at).

Community Partners:  Continue to cultivate relationships with like-missioned partners. Develop 1-2 new partnership relationships.

Develop ways to engage partners year-round, connecting to the overall mission of Columbia College.  Reach out to community partners in secondary markets to determine opportunities for co-partnerships (low country and upstate).

Schools, Grantors and Youth Support Systems:  Develop “layered” or multiple connections within schools, thereby increasing the number of nominators and nominees per school.  Work closely with middle schools that host 8th grade leadership programs to encourage more girls to continue their leadership development with the Summer Leadership Institute.  Offer leadership development workshops to strategic schools across the state.  Attend North Carolina School Counselors Association conference.

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

Addendum A) B) C) D) E) F) G)

Scholarships Awarded by County Marketing Reach & Demographic Data Community Organization Partnerships Guest Speakers & Volunteers About the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence About Columbia College Photo Albums: a. Step Up: http://bit.ly/StepUp2016Photos b. Step In: http://bit.ly/StepIn2016Photos c. Step Above: http://bit.ly/StepAbove2016Photos d. Step Ahead (new day program): http://bit.ly/StepAhead2016Photos H) Agendas: a. Step Up: http://bit.ly/2016StepUpAgenda b. Step In: http://bit.ly/2016StepInAgenda c. Step Above: http://bit.ly/2016StepAboveAgenda d. Step Ahead: http://bit.ly/2StepAhead2016Agenda I) Videos: a. Step Up Video: http://bit.ly/StepUp2016Video b. Step In Video: http://bit.ly/StepIn2016Video c. Step Above Video: http://bit.ly/StepAbove2016Video J) Marketing Brochure

A: Summer Leadership Institute Scholarships by County Partial to full scholarships of $150-550 were awarded to 77 girls in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

Aiken, SC

3 Greenwood, SC

13

Calhoun, SC

1 Kershaw, SC

3

Cherokee, SC

1 Laurens, SC

1

Darlington, SC

1 Lexington, SC

4

Dorchester, SC

1 Orangeburg, SC

2

Fairfield, SC

1 Richland, SC

Florence, SC

4 Out of State (NC & GA)

Greenville, SC

2

37 3

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

B: Marketing Reach & Demographic Data Participation in the Summer Leadership Institute is by invitation or nomination. Students are nominated by high school and middle school guidance counselors, principals, parents, family members and community leaders based on their leadership readiness. Working closely with the superregional community is essential to get the word out about this opportunity.

The Center for Leadership shares information about the program through several marketing channels. 2016 strategies relied closely on print, social media marketing, direct mail and in-person networking.

4% International

45.6% State Wide 7.2% Out Of State

43.2% Midlands

Due to the addition of a new day program, this year’s marketing focus was two-fold: create deeper connections PARTICIPANTS BY LOCATION with Midlands area high schools and work closer to develop community relationships. In addition to our strong direct mailing marketing plan to SC, NC and GA area schools, we also connected in person and strengthened relationships with all midlands high schools, as well as explored partnership with more than 20 like-minded community organizations.

Results showed a solid increase in state-wide participation rates. Nominations increased 22%.

Age Group Served: Age Amount 13 7 14 43 15 35 16 27 17 10 19 1

% 6% 34% 28% 22% 9% 1%

Ethnicities Served (optional information provided by participants): 0 American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN)

0%

3 Asian

2%

71 Black

57%

11 Hispanic and Latino 2 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) 38 White 125

9% 2% 30% 100%

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

C: 2016 Community Organization Partnerships Our partnerships with community organizations were critical to our success this year: Alpha Media Group*

The Lipscomb Family Foundation

Babcock Center*

Midlands Education and Business Alliance*

Bennett School, Cali, Colombia, South America

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship*

Central Carolina Community Foundation

The Nord Family Foundation

City Roots

Orangeburg School District 5

Columbia College Athletics Division/Golf Team

Palmetto Conservation Foundation*

Columbia College Office of Admissions

Palmetto Place Children's Shelter

Columbia College Office of Financial Aid

Palmetto State School Counselors Association

Columbia College Office of Marketing & Communications

Practical Dramatics*

Columbia College Office of Residential Life

Richland County

Columbia College Police Department

Richland County Library

Columbia Country Club

Richland School District Two

Females in Action (FIA)*

Rotary Youth Leadership Conference

Fort Jackson*

Saluda Shoals Park

Future Business Leaders of America*

The Self Family Foundation

GEAR Up program of Richland 2*

SC Economics*

Girl Scouts – Mountains to Midlands Council

SC United Methodist Conference

Girls on the Run

SCANA Services, Inc.

Greenwood Women’s Leadership Council

Sodexo: Columbia College Dining Services and Facilities

Habitat for Humanity – ReStore

South Carolina United Methodist Conference

Harvest Hope Food Bank

TD Bank*

Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation*

Transitions

Jack and Jill Foundation of America, Inc.*

Wells Fargo

Jefferson Awards Foundation

Women in Philanthropy of the United Way

Junior Achievement*

YESCarolina*

Junior Leadership Kershaw County

Yoga Masala

Katrina's Kids

Youth Corps

KORE Wellness*

*New Partners for 2016 (17 in total)

Lexington School District 5 – Chapin Middle School 13

Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

D. Summer Leadership Institute Guest Speakers & Volunteers Kelli Abramson, Colonial Life Lisa Beth Adams, Practical Dramatics Sonya Alewine, Wells Fargo Caroline Andrews, Wells Fargo Kim Baker, Wells Fargo Susan Bankson, Wells Fargo Jeff Becraft, Youth Corps Tracy Bender, Terminix Betty Best, SCANA Erika Blanck, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Danielle Boysen, Bank of America Heather Brandt, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health Susan Brill, Trustee, Richland School District Two LaNae Briggs Budden, Columbia College Division of Student Affairs Caroline Bunch, Youth Corps Joanne Burkett, Greenwood Women’s Leadership Council Leah Bush, SCANA Sherri Caldwell, Children’s Trust of South Carolina Lisa Campbell, SCANA Mary Carlisle, Columbia College Office of Campus Scheduling Erin Carlson, Center for Applied Learning at Columbia College Cheryl Caution-Parker, Trustee, Richland School District Two Lauren Chess, Colonial Life Chante' Clarkson, Center for Academic & Professional Advising at Columbia College Shennice Cleckley, My Dessert Bar, Our Marriage Rocks Casey Cline, Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development at Columbia College Felicia Cokley, Alpha Media Columbia Rachel Connelly, Columbia College Department of Admissions Tyler Cook, Columbia College Police Department Heather Cooper, SC Farm Bureau Insurance Kim Davis, Wells Fargo Paula Del Popolo, Wells Fargo Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson, Richland County

Elizabeth Dinndorf, President, Columbia College Tracy Dixon, Richland School District One Councilwoman Julie-Ann Dixon, Richland County Tammie Epps, Palmetto Health Adrienne Fairwell, South Carolina Department of Commerce Patrick Faulds, Columbia College Theatre Department Sabrina Gandy, Females In Action, Palmetto Health Foundation Kaela Gardner, Zumba Instructor Anita Garrett, The Weathers Group Hadia Ghandour, Women in Philanthropy Anthony Goldman, SC Administrative Law Court & Koala Bottle Teresa Goodman, Community Initiatives, Inc. Ashley Graham, SC Electric and Gas Tonya Green, SCANA Kiosha Gregg Boyles, Columbia College Department of Marketing and Communications Liza Hall, Wells Fargo Kaela Harmon, Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. Nayati Harris, Columbia College Department of Admissions Andrew Haworth, Columbia College Department of Marketing and Communications Kathy Heffley, Wells Fargo Elizabeth Hendrix, Columbia College Golf Team Greg Hilton, SOCO & Period Three Meghan Hughes Hickman, EngenuitySC Jon Hunsicker, Jones School Supply Corgan and Sadie In The Morning, Alpha Media, 93.5FM DJs Tiffany James, The COMET Rania Jamison, Purpose Promotions, LLC Latoya Jeeter, Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development at Columbia College Samarya Jenkins, Youth Corps Twila Jones, Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Beatrice King, Trustee, Richland One Julie King, Columbia College Department of Admissions Mary Lynn Kinley, Fairfield County Erica Knight, SC Electric and Gas 14

Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College Susan Koch, Wells Fargo Angelle LaBorde, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Christine Lomer La Cola, Institute for Leadership and Professional Excellence at Columbia College Mathew Lawson, Palmetto Conservation Foundation Fiona Lofton, Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development at Columbia College Mary Lohman-Vargas, Girls on the Run of Columbia Elise Matthews, KORE Wellness Laura Maurer, Columbia College Golf Team Student Monique McDaniels, Columbia College Department of Marketing and Communications Mandy Medlock, Justice 360 James Morrison, Columbia College Golf Coaching The Honorable Laurie Parks, Mayor Pro-Tem, Town of Camden Candice Parsley, Columbia College Department of Admissions Mayor Elise Partin, City of Cayce Ebony Perkins, Central Carolina Community Foundation Shanika Pichey, Entrepreneur Kenetta Pierce, Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development at Columbia College Steven Powell, Alpha Media Columbia Donna Quick, Columbia College Division of Financial Aid Havyn Rhodes, Youth Corps Tammy Ritchie, Columbia College Police Department & Victims Advocate

Lila Anna Sauls, Homeless No More Doris Seals, SC United Methodist Church Conference Kristin Seay, Richland Two/GEAR UP Linda Sheffield, Greenwood Women's Leadership Council Taryn Shekitka-West, South Carolina Trucking Association Rochelle Smith, Wells Fargo Bre Spaulding, Brain Injury Association of South Carolina Kyra Strasburg, Yoga Masala Kellyann Stubblefield, Columbia College Department of Athletics Justin Thompson, Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development at Columbia College Samantha Turner, Midlands Education and Business Alliance Nicolle Turnipseed, SCANA The Honorable Jasmine Twitty, Associate Judge for Easley, South Carolina Brittany VerDier, Wells Fargo Renee Waring, Wells Fargo Amber White, Columbia College Division of Financial Aid Lauren Wilkie, Transitions Tia Williams, Midlands Anchor Dionna Williams, Zumba Instructor, Publix Jennifer Williams, Wells Fargo Morgan Williams, Youth Corps

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Summer Leadership Institute 2016 Annual Report prepared by the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence at Columbia College

E. About the Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence The Institute for Leadership and Professional Excellence at Columbia College is strategically designed to support Columbia College students, alumni and community and corporate partners with professional development opportunities and access to lifelong learning resources and functional expertise.

The Institute is comprised of five, functional centers of excellence that integrate this intentional set of educational opportunities. The Center for Academic and Professional Advising, the Center for Applied Learning, the Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development, the Center for Leadership and The McNair Center for Entrepreneurism.

F. About Columbia College Columbia College, founded in 1854, is a private, liberal arts, women’s college with coeducational evening and graduate programs. The College is ranked among the best Regional Universities in the South and was recognized as a Best Value Institution in the 2014 U.S. News & World Report. In the National Survey of Student Engagement, measuring the overall effectiveness of the college experience, Columbia College ranks among the top-performing institutions in the country.

Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Columbia College advocates a holistic approach to education, with an emphasis on respect for the individual and service to the community. In recognition of these values, the College is listed in The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development.

Enrollment is approximately 1,300 students from 22 states and eight countries. Degrees conferred include bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master of arts, and master of education. Among the College’s most notable features are a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized honors program, emphasis on leadership development for women, and unique opportunities for career-focused field experiences and travel-study in the United States and abroad. Nearly half of Columbia College alumnae enter graduate, law, or medical school.

The College’s undergraduate curriculum offers more than 30 majors and a variety of minors and special programs, including an evening program and two new online majors designed for working professionals. The graduate program offers a master of arts degree in organizational change and leadership, a master of education degree in divergent learning, and a master of education degree in higher education. The rapidly growing women’s athletics program, recognized consistently with the Champions of Character Five Star Institutional Award, features competition in basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball through the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The College holds two prestigious Theodore M. Hesburgh Certificates of Excellence for “innovative faculty development enhancing undergraduate learning” and is home to the 2010–2011 United States Professor of the Year, Dr. John Zubizarreta.

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