UNCP’s Exceptional BRAVES Program Develops Campus Leaders Through Collaboration
Seventeen UNC Pembroke faculty and staff members recently completed the university's second cohort of the Exceptional BRAVES Leader Program, a yearlong professional development initiative designed to strengthen leadership skills, foster collaboration and prepare employees for greater leadership roles across campus.
Hosted by UNCP Human Resources, the program brings together employees from across the university for leadership discussions, networking opportunities and sessions with university and community leaders who share personal insights and experiences.
One of the program's greatest strengths, according to Dr. Jennifer Whittington, chair of Early Childhood and Elementary Literacy Studies in the School of Education, was the opportunity to better understand the people and departments that help keep the university moving forward.
“One of the most beneficial takeaways for me was the networking that happened through meeting folks in that program,” Whittington said. “There are so many moving parts at the university. It takes all of us. All of us play a role.”
Whittington, now in her ninth year at UNCP and finishing her second year as department chair, said the experience helped broaden her perspective as a leader.
“It allowed me to see different perspectives from different leaders,” she said. “We don't manage people. We lead people.”
Participants heard from a variety of university and community leaders throughout the year, including Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, UNC Board of Governors member Kellie Blue, former UNCP Board of Trustees Chair Brig. Gen. Allen Jamerson and former Athletics Director Dan Kenney shared lessons from their leadership journeys.
Kevin Witmore, senior project manager with Facilities Planning, Design and Construction, said hearing the different leadership styles and personal stories from speakers was eye-opening.
“One of the most valuable lessons is having the opportunity to learn more about your own leadership style, but also it was very informative to hear the experiences that other leaders have had through the years and the lessons they learned,” Witmore said. “That was invaluable.”
Witmore credited the program with giving him a new appreciation for the university's interconnected nature.
“It was good to see the bigger picture of how this campus operates as a whole,” Witmore said. “At the end of the day, having a broader view of campus contributes to the overall success of the university.”
Beyond leadership development, participants formed lasting professional connections across divisions and departments. The cohort also created a book club and published a commemorative booklet documenting their experiences in the program. The cohort was recently recognized during a celebration hosted by Chancellor Cummings and First Lady Rebecca Cummings at the Chancellor's Residence.
Angela Revels, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources and program co-facilitator, said the program reflects the university's commitment to investing in its employees and cultivating future campus leaders.
“We had another successful cohort filled with exceptional leaders,” Revels said. “The insights and experiences shared throughout the program were invaluable to the participants and continue to strengthen leadership across our campus community.”
The second cohort included Nicole Snipes from the Chancellor's Division; Kamina Fitzgerald, Jenna Freeman, Kari Oxendine, Keri Sullivan, Jennifer Whittington and Krystin Woodell from Academic Affairs; Branan Dennard and Ashleigh Windley from Advancement; Gabe Campbell, Liz Cummings, Craymon Strickland and Kevin Witmore from Finance & Administration; Laurel Collins, Amy Cox and Shania McMillian from Student Affairs; and Gordon Byrd from the Office of General Counsel.