Aiken Tech employees complete leadership academy
Two Aiken Technical College employees have recently completed the South Carolina Technical College System’s Leadership Academy program.
Erynn Black, lead advisor, and Crystal Edwards, dean of student success and retention, were among 31 technical college leaders from around the state selected to participate in the seven-month program.
Participants participated in engaging sessions on topics including the foundation and essentials of leadership, data-driven decision-making in strategic planning, effective communication, student success and academic partnership, workforce development, and local, state, and federal policy.
Participants also engaged in group projects to create proposals to address opportunities within the tech system. The group that Blacks participated in focused on supporting faculty development and retention. Edwards participated in a group focused on government relations and highlighting the impact of food pantries on college campuses.
“The Leadership Academy has reshaped how I lead my team, manage my time, empower others, and collaborate with local and state partners to expand the reach of my work,” said Edwards. “The tools and insight gained through the academy are skills I will continue to rely on throughout my career. From reinforcing the foundations of leadership to deepening my understanding of what drives workforce development in South Carolina, each topic challenged me to grow, adapt, and better leverage resources to serve more students. Student success has always been at the heart of my work, and the academy reignited that commitment, reminding me to always keep students first.”
Black was selected to serve as one of the class speakers during the academy’s graduation ceremony. During her speech, she shared the importance of being connectors on campus and remaining authentic in the way each participant fulfills their respective roles at their colleges.
“After 25 years in higher education, I can tell you this with certainty: there is no algorithm for authentic intelligence,” she shared with graduates and guests. “Authentic intelligence is knowing how to advise a student who is working two jobs and raising grandchildren. It is the instinct to recognize when someone needs a book recommendation and when they need a roadmap to a new career. It is the human skillset I saw on display throughout our sessions together.”
The leadership academy is held biennially, and its curriculum is based on the fourth edition of the American Association of Community Colleges’ Competencies for Community College Leaders. For more information about the academy, visit https://sctechsystem.edu/faculty-and-staff/leadership-academy.html.