Three standout professionals from the Division of Enrollment Services & Student Success, Shalia Delph, Emily Hall, and Sydney Jones, have completed the inaugural cohort of the UCA LEAD (Lead, Engage, Act, Discover) program, a professional development experience designed to foster leadership growth and campus collaboration.
The pilot program, which ran from September 2024 to April 2025, brought together 25 full-time UCA faculty and staff members for monthly workshops, team-building sessions, and community engagement opportunities. Participants explored the inner workings of higher education while developing their leadership skills and expanding their campus networks.
Emily Hall, Associate Director for Online, Transfer, & Returning Student Services, emphasized the value of connection: “What set the LEAD program apart was the community it built. Learning alongside colleagues from across campus created space for shared growth, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections. I’m proud to be part of a network of leaders committed to collaboration and mutual support. Together, we’re strengthening our campus community.”
For Shalia Delph, participating in the program was a transformative experience. “The LEAD program was more than a learning experience – it was a journey of self-discovery. It helped me understand my values, recognize my strengths and weaknesses, and embrace the kind of leader I aspire to be,” she said. “I walked in hoping to improve how I lead and walked out inspired to lead with purpose, empathy, and courage.”
Sydney Jones echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the program’s structure encouraged reflection and action. “Through this leadership building program, I discovered that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about listening, learning, and growing with others. This experience shaped me not only as a leader, but as a person committed to lifting others as I climb.”
The LEAD program, sponsored by UCA’s Employee Engagement and Enrichment, is poised to become a cornerstone of professional development on campus. Its blend of personal growth, institutional insight, and community building aims to develop leadership at all levels of the university.
“Shalia, Emily, and Sydney exemplified what LEAD is all about,” said Kevin Thomas, Vice President for Enrollment Services & Student Success. “The information they gained from each of the sessions will contribute to their success in their roles on campus and their ability to lead and collaborate in the work they provide for our UCA students. We are so fortunate to have them as part of our division!”
As UCA prepares to launch its second LEAD cohort in Fall 2025, the success of the first group sets a high bar for future participants and highlights the potential that lies within every corner of campus.