Class learns new ways to lead
Staff writer
Three of five county commissioners greeted the 2024 Marion County Leadership classes at a public ceremony Thursday.
David Mueller, Kent Becker, and Randy Dallke were present, along with county clerk Ashley Herpich and county administrator Tina Spencer.
The adult class consisted of Corey Brown, Luretta Turk, Paige Barnes, Cal Pendergrass, Veronica DeSelms, and Lowell Ensey.
The youth class consisted of Centre High School students Anna Godinez-Vinduska and Olivia Carlson.
The program was revived in 2022 after shutting down in 2014 because of a lack of funding.
The old program was financed directly by the county. The new iteration is supported by a grant from Central Kansas Community Foundation.
Those in the adult class paid $50. Most were reimbursed by their employers. Students could join for free.
The program’s purpose is to teach leadership skills including how to structure policy, build confidence, and collaborate with others.
The county is vague about how such skills will be applied.
“The idea is that they would gain some skills and some confidence in what they already know in the sphere they’re already in, to be able to practice leadership and make progress on some of those things that are concerns,” Spencer said.
Those in the program were complimentary.
“The highlight for me has been the opening up of my mind to a different definition of leadership,” Ensey said. “Here, we’re talking about trying to influence the people in your organization or in your group to have everyone be a leader. That was an eye-opening approach to my way of thinking.”
The program transported students around Marion County to visit and learn from local businesses. Multiple class members expressed surprise at the number and range of businesses around the county.
Carlson said touring a variety of businesses helped her decide on physical therapy as a profession.
“I was undecided on what career I wanted to go into before the program,” she said. “Afterwards, I got to see so many different jobs, it helped me decide more on what I wanted to focus on.”
Adult class members had homework over the course of the program. This included volunteering in their neighborhoods, interviewing those they consider “leaders,” and presenting on the “ripple effect” — how one person can create lasting change throughout a community.
Interestingly, the young people had less homework.
“It was more just thinking about the ripple effect and how you can apply that,” Carlson said.
The adult class represented a wide age range, from the 78-year-old Ensey to those still in their 30s.
Class members remarked on the bond they formed over their weeks together.
“As small as this group is, it’s probably been our liveliest class,” said Jarrod Youk, a member of the committee overseeing the program.
During Thursday’s ceremonies commissioners discussed the departments they manage and how public offices work on a day-to-day basis. They seemed to see those in the program as potential successors.
“We can’t function without people who are willing to serve and commit to it,” Becker said.