Eighteen students graduated from Georgia Military College’s Executive Leadership Program, which is an experiential learning program for recently graduated seniors. The program took place from June 17-July 31.
Associate Vice President of Human Resources Jessica Murray stated it was the largest class the program has seen and the first year they had to turn away applicants.
“It first started in 2015 and we have had it ongoing each summer since then. The goal is to allow interested seniors to work with leaders in departments around our institution and offer them a 360-degree view of the institution they have been a part of during their school years,” explained Murray.
Applicants were accepted on a priority basis, so those who applied much later had to be turned away when spots were filled. In each application, students described their interests and professional aspirations and a department was chosen based on what best aligns with the student’s answers. Students worked in departments from Academic Affairs to the Global Online College.
“Students are learning the inner workings of how each department functions. An overarching theme is business workings and leadership, but each department has its own personal focuses and roles,” said Murray. “For example, Health Services would teach the intricacies of K-12 nursing files and how to keep those in order. On Main Campus, students learn more about the college student life cycle, whole calling, sales and other subjects such as that.”
While there is no formal evaluation, departments report each year during and after the program how valuable the assistance was. At graduation, each student also announces their key takeaways.
“The departments get labor and a chance to offer students a well-rounded perspective of the inner functions of their school. Students benefit from learning new skills, learning new forms of leadership, and having another item to put on their resumes,” said Murray. “The program is like a parttime job for them alongside being a mentorship.”
The program is incorporated in the budget each year, according to Murray, because of how impactful it is for both the school and its students. Murray has worked with the program for eight years and personally vouched for the growth of the program during that time.
“The students see it as more of an investment than when I began. They recognize it as another learning opportunity, job, and resume builder, which is why the program has grown so much larger,” said Murray. “Most of these seniors have been a part of the school since sixth grade but this is an opportunity to see each facet that feeds their experience as a student. When pitching the program to our seniors, we let them know it is a part-time job and allow them to evaluate for themselves if it will be an impactful choice to take a part in rather than doing something else their senior summer.”
This year’s class was made up of Abigail Johnson, Taniyah Ransom, Aaron Lightner, Lana Wood, Gracie Courson, Abigail Aycock, Katherine Bentley, Shriyansh Parekh, Emma Kate Godin, Railey-Belle Hodges, Jamiyah Coffee, Morgan Ingram, Ella Pope, Chernya Battle, John Weaver, Joel Deen, Jacob McMillan, and Ashlyn Alford.
“We hope that this year’s class graduated with a fresh perspective of Georgia Military College and the preparatory school alongside new skills that will benefit their futures,” said Murray. “We look forward to next year's class and developing the next generation of leaders.”