Congratulations to the five recipients of the CSWE 2015 Summer Leadership Scholarship Program!

The CSWE 2015 Summer Leadership Scholarship Programs is an initiative of the CSWE Leadership Institute. CSWE is proud to recognize the six recipients of these 2015 scholarships.

Five attended the 2015 Harvard Institutes of Higher Education (HIHE) and one the 2015 Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Bryn Mawr Summer Institute.

They will be honored at the 2015 CSWE Leadership Networking Reception that will be held at the 2015 APM in Denver.

Harvard Institutes of Higher Education (HIHE)

This program is a joint effort with HIHE for the participation of CSWE-recommended persons in HIHE summer residential sessions.

Program Opportunities: The Harvard Management Development Program (MDP), held May 31 – June 12, 2015, is designed for deans, associate deans, directors, program directors, and other administrators.

2015 CSWE Summer Leadership Scholarship Recipients

Valire Carr Copeland
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
University of Pittsburgh

As an academic, we rarely have the opportunity be students. The two week management development program at Harvard was one of the best two weeks I’ve experienced in the classroom since I was a doctoral student. The program is very demanding with a semester’s worth of work delivered and consumed in 2 weeks.  I had the opportunity to re-energize myself, contemplate my journey, and think about what the future can hold. I gained a great deal of self-awareness and the awareness of others. Participants were from all over the world, it was like the United Nations. Diversity at all points on the continuum-race, gender, age, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, international, and domestic, etc.  The exchange of ideas opportunity for fostering both personal and professional growth was most valued.

Leadership does not come natural to everyone, and everyone can’t be a good leader. However, when you spend time being drenched in the formal knowledge of management and leadership, you realize being a leader is not impossible. One of the most important lessons I learned was the opportunity to think and ponder about what type of leader I want to be, and what type of leader I would enjoy working with.  This experience, at this stage of my career, was just what I needed to enhance both my knowledge and skills for moving forward.

Jenny Jones
Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work
Florida A&M University

The opportunity to participate in the Harvard Management Development Program was beyond my greatest expectation. The experience was more than gratifying; the opportunity to engage in rich and stimulating dialogue among my peers, and faculty members alike provided an opportunity for self growth and self care. The trainings helped me to gain new skills in leadership and management, as well as enhance existing skills as a middle manager to be able to incorporate broader strategic considerations into my management decisions. I was challenged to think beyond my own academic unit and lead in ways that support my larger university goals and initiatives. From this experience, I believe I am a better able to engage in more forward thinking leadership.  All in all, the experience was very meaningful. It is with much gratitude and many thanks to CSWE for selecting me to participate in this program, and much appreciation to my University for supporting me! 

Stacey R. Kolomer
Director of the School of Social Work
University of North Carolina Wilmington

Participating this past summer in the MDP program provided me with insight into how I function as a leader in my academic unit and what I areas I can further develop.  Learning with academics from across the world was rewarding in ways I could not have predicted prior to attending.  Role playing, small group discussions and case studies brought what happens in higher education to life.  Additionally, hearing the perspectives of five current and former University presidents enhanced my understanding of higher education.  I highly recommend this program and feel very fortunate that I was able to attend.  CSWE’s investment in the scholarship demonstrates progressive thinking for social work education and I am grateful for the support that I received.

Goutham Menon
Director, School of Social Work
University of Nevada, Reno

My experience with the CSWE 2015 Summer Leadership program was very rewarding and has provided me with new tools to navigate the nuances of higher education administration. The Management Leadership Program I attended was very well organized right from the mix of participants, reflecting all areas of diversity, to meaningful classroom activities and time for networking in small groups. We continue with our learning through the listserv they have established and are of support to one another in the cohort.

Thanks to CSWE for continuing to support this initiative!

HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration

This program is a joint effort with the 2015 HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute for the participation of CSWE-recommended persons. That program was held July 13–25, 2015.

Program Opportunity: Each summer since 1976 the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration has provided a residential program with an intensive leadership and management curriculum for approximately 70 women faculty and administrators on the Bryn Mawr College campus.

2015 CSWE Summer Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Monica Leisey
Assistant Professor and MSW Program Coordinator
Salem State University

It is difficult to explain just how important the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute has been in my own professional development.  The Institute continues to be significant in two areas of my professional life: belonging to a community of intelligent, caring, strong women leaders and my own growth as a social work academic leader.  As a macro social worker who teaches leadership, it was helpful to have the time to once again focus on my own needs in the areas of leadership, planning, and self-awareness.  The Institute has also provided me with a community that can provide continued support, information, and guidance.  I highly recommend the Institute for any female social work academic interested in continuing their own professional development.  The experience will change your life.