Developing new leaders based on passions, priorities.

Nome Stillwell, a staff member in the office of strate gic management at Columbus State Community College OH, expected the usual when she enrolled in a leadership development workshop. She anticipated it would simply teach skills, with no consideration of her as an individual. Instead, a new workshop philosophy truly touched her.

This new outlook on leadership development provided the basis of discussion at the annual conference of the National Institute for Leadership Development (NILD) and the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) in Phoenix in June.

Speakers Dr. Val Moeller, President of Columbus State Community College OH, and Dr. Mary Spilde, president of Lane Community College OR, noted the value of the new leadership development model for improving all levels of administration in colleges.

"Colleges are anticipating many retirements in 10-15 years and a dearth of candidates to move into leadership jobs," Spilde said. "We want women to move into these jobs and need to ensure that women are ready."

Both Moeller and Spilde stressed that colleges no longer need heroic Lone Ranger-type leaders to fill the positions, but rather "informal leaders" who can work creatively in a group environment.

At Columbus State Community College

Moeller's school answered the challenge by prioritizing human capacity development within its HR department. "We invested in hiring the best employees and in maintaining an environment that values and promotes continued learning and skill attainment," she said.