Success StoryPlanning and Participating in a Leadership Development Conference



Planning and Participating in a Leadership Development Conference

Author: Joanne Bankston

Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The Coordinator of Family and Consumer Sciences at Kentucky State University (Dr. Joanne Bankston) has served as the Vice President of the Council of Administrators in Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) and planned the 2018 conference along with the president, Dr. Esther Duvall, and former president, Dr. Michael Newman.  CAFCS is a national organization of individuals who hold administrative roles in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) at colleges and universities across the country.  Its mission is to strengthen FCS units in higher education through excellence in administration focusing on leadership development.  CAFCS held the 2018 leadership conference in Biloxi, MS.  The theme of this year’s meeting was “Positive Leaders in Challenging Times.”  The keynote workshop was presented by Dr. Jeffrey Buller, author of "Positive Academic Leadership -- How to Stop Putting Out Fires and Start Making a Difference."  Other outstanding presentations were also made including those by Dr. Joanne Bankston and Ms. Nancy Calix of KSU.  More than 80% of the participants rated their overall satisfaction and conference relevance as excellent.  Participants found most valuable:  Dr. Buller's presentation; other relevant presentations; opportunities to learn from one another and enhance leadership skills; and networking with colleagues. Participants also reported that as a result of the conference they would: implement Dr. Buller's ideas; incorporate information in their work and activities;  improve individual leadership skills; share information with staff and colleagues; use vision-building exercises in strategic planning; improve faculty relationships; make changes in individual leadership styles; and develop a diversity task force. The CAFCS conference provides and excellent opportunity for FCS administrators to develop and enhance their leadership skills.