Inspiring Leadership:
The Institute Hosts Inaugural New Leaders Program for WV students
This past spring, the Institute for Public Affairs launched The New Leaders Program
as part of its bi-annual Local Government Leadership Academy. The New Leaders Program
encouraged college students to become engaged in the process of creating a prosperous
future in the Mountain State. Students were contacted with the assistance of
WV Campus Compact and asked to write an essay
on the following question: “Discuss a problem that
you see in your community and/or state. What are some possible solutions? Describe how
you might begin to lead an effort to solve that problem.” Selected students were
required to be from a distressed county as designated by the
Appalachian Regional Commission
and offered scholarships to pay for registration fees and attendance
during the event held April 9 and 10.
Students enjoyed the opportunity to participate and learn from leaders in government,
business, and nonprofit sectors. Through a series of workshops, students gained network
ing skills and knowledge about important issues facing the state. One goal of the
program was to help students see opportunities to stay in West Virginia after they
graduate from college. The New Leaders Program was made possible with support from the
Appalachian Regional Commission, Benedum Foundation, West Virginia Development Office,
and West Virginia University. The Institute would like to thank and recognize all of
the students and distinguished guests involved in the program.
Distinguished Guests:
- Michael Garrison, Member, Spilman, Thomas, & Battle, PLLC, former Chief of Staff for Governor Bob Wise
- F. Scott Rotruck, Executive Director, Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce
- Robert A. Wells, Director of Compliance/Legal Affairs, International Physician Networks, Member, West Virginia University Board of Governors
- Dr. Michael Bomford, Kentucky State University Community Research Service
- Noelle Lee, West Virginia University Political Science Ph.D student and founder of WAAVE, West Virginia African American Voting Electorate
- Brent Eastwood, West Virginia University Political Science Ph.D. student and Morgantown City Council candidate
- Kyle Christensen, Program Assistant, WV Campus Compact
- Mark Wise, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Project Officer, Threewide Corporation
Participating Students:
- Maralea Blankenship, Nicholas County, West Virginia University
- Lucinda Canterbury, Mingo County, Southern WV Community and Technical College
- Carrie Clendening, Fayette County, West Virginia University
- Cole DeLancey, Ritchie County, West Virginia University
- Scott Farmer, Logan County, Southern WV Community and Technical College
- Francine Jones, Mingo County, Southern WV Community and Technical College
- Jacob McCarty, Lewis County, West Virginia University
- Laura McGraw, Fayette County, West Virginia University
- Stephen Nicholas, Nicholas County, West Virginia University
- Amanda Scott, Logan County, Southern WV Community and Technical College
- Christopher Williamson, Mingo County, West Virginia University