A diverse group of faculty and staff members, reflecting a cross section of Clemson University, begins meeting next week as the first class in the President’s Leadership Institute is launched.

During the 10-month program, participants will learn about Clemson, higher education, business and government and receive education and training to hone and develop skills needed for leadership success.

“I’m excited to welcome the members of this first class into the President’s Leadership Institute,” President James P. Clements said. “They will be able to learn all about Clemson, its land-grant mission, its structure and the way it works. They will connect with others inside and outside of the University and learn from a variety of leaders about different leadership styles. All the while it will prepare them for the opportunity to serve in leadership roles in the future.”

Nominated by vice presidents and deans, the class members are at various stages in their careers, from entry-level to mid-level employees, said Kyra Lobbins, who was appointed director of the institute by Clements.

Lobbins is director of student athlete development in Athletics, where she and her staff work to help student athletes develop professional and leadership skills that will prepare them for life beyond college athletics.

She said the President’s Leadership Institute will not only teach participants about the many components involved, both internally and externally, for a successful university to function, but also help participants to “think beyond their current day-to-day routine” by exposing them to the many workings of Clemson.

They will hear about the university’s organization, history and present operations. They will take trips to various parts South Carolina to learn about Clemson’s impact across the state; visit business partners; and work with President Clements. Former S.C. Gov. David Beasley is among recognized leaders scheduled to meet with the group.

Leading the President’s Leadership Institute is a natural fit for Lobbins, who currently takes student athletes out into the community to expose them to other professions and prepare them for life after college and athletics.

She said, “They have to learn something greater to be something greater.”

A native of Chicago, she is beginning her fourth year at Clemson. She came from the University of Akron, where she held a similar position.  She majored in communication and minored in psychology at Tulane University. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sports management at Northern Illinois and an MBA in management with an emphasis on leadership at Akron.

The President’s Leadership Institute will accept new classes each year.

The following is a list of faculty and staff in the 2016 inaugural class:

Mark Cothran
Director, Governmental Relations

Kimberly Poole
Associate Dean of Students

Winston Holton
Field Coordinator, Call Me Mister

Ann Marie Alexander
Senior Director of Development, Development and Alumni Affairs

Steve Duzan
Associate Athletics Director of Academics

Latoya Daniels
Human Resources Manager

La’Toya Ritter
Accounting Fiscal Manager

Stephanie Evans
Student Services Program Coordinator

Jean McKendry
Coordinator of Grant Development & Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Rhonda Todd
Administrative Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Studies

Uttiyo Raychaudhuri
Director, Study Abroad

Jessica Martin
Director, Advising Center
College of Architecture, Arts & Humanities

Helen Steele
Director, Office of Student Enrichment
College of Business

Khoa Dang Truong
Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences
College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

Andrew Wesolek
Associate Librarian, University Libraries

Julia Frugoli
Professor, Associate Chair, Genetics and Biochemistry
College of Science

Nathan Smith
Professor of Agribusiness Production
Cooperative Extension Service

Peter L. Laurence
Associate Professor, School of Architecture
College of Architecture, Arts & Humanities

Sez Atamturktur
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

Marieke Van Puymbroeck
Associate Professor, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

Michelle Cook
Associate Professor, Science Education
College of Education

Delphine Dean
Associate Professor, Bioengineering
College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

Julie K. Northcutt
Professor, Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Extension Program Team Leader, Food Safety & Nutrition Program
Cooperative Extension Service

Carl Hollingsworth
Associate Professor, Accounting
College of Business

Leigh Haltiwanger
Lecturer, Secondary MAT Program Coordinator
College of Education