The first graduating class of the Summit Leadership Program at the College of the Rockies received their certificates on Thursday, April 29, completing the one month course that featured three modules, or ‘peaks,’ focused on leadership.
Taught by Christina Benty, the course has been in the works at the college for a long time, according to campus manager Karen Catchcart.
“I’m thrilled, this is my fifth cohort but my first to complete all three peaks and the entire program,” said Benty.
“It was so gratifying to see them all finish the entire program and their presentations on what they’ve learned and how they’re going to implement their learning.”
The first peak of the program was focused on leading self and examining personal leadership styles.
The module was about emotional intelligence and values based leadership, which gave students the opportunity to take a look at their own values.
The second peak was about leading teams and touched on organization culture, team dynamics and conflict management.
Peak three was about inclusivity and diversity.
“I feel I’ll be able to apply some skills to my personal and professional life and help build who I am and how I manage things from here on out,” said Miranda Corbett, who was a part of the inaugural class.
“I’m happy I did it.
“It gave me a better understanding of people and all around, it’s been great.”
“I’ve actually been speaking to Karen about this course for like two years, annoying her about it,” said Brandy Beliveau, another of the students in the class.
“I’m really happy to get I’ve learned so much that I actually would like to train to eventually one day teach the course.”
Benty says the idea behind the program is to develop agents of change, who can create a ripple effect around them as leaders.
Benty says the ideal candidate for the program is someone who wants to learn to lead and learn about themselves and is willing to put the work into the program, but that anybody and everybody should take the course.
“Everybody’s a leader, many people don’t even realize that they’re leaders, but if you wake up in the morning and you choose what you eat for breakfast, you’re a leader in your life and that’s a start,” said Benty.
While the program may not be offered in full in Golden again soon, Benty says all three peaks are available independantly as the entire program can be completed peak by peak to suit everyone’s personal schedules.
