The Leadership Tri-County (LTC) training program is back in session for the first time since the pandemic began, this time with the largest class to date. For the next nine months, the 30 individuals selected for the 2024 cohort will develop the skills, knowledge, and collaborative network needed to better serve Knox, Laurel, and Whitley counties now and in the future.

One of the new cohort members, Maisie Nelson, is the Executive Director of Development and Communications at Union College. “I’m excited to see, especially after we graduate in June, how we continue to network and work together,” she says.

Union’s president, Dr. Marcia Hawkins, says she encouraged Nelson to apply for the program because of her dedication to the Appalachian region and her collaborative spirit.

“What Maisie learns through membership in Leadership Tri-County, and the relationships she builds, will serve this region and Union very well,” Hawkins says.

Each month, the class of 2024 will gather to learn about a different topic and the regional opportunities and challenges related to it. This month, the group focused on law and justice. Future topics include economic development, health and human services, government, education, tourism, and finally, communication and media.

Additionally, the cohort will host a leadership day for local high school sophomores in February. This collaborative community service project is a way for the cohort to creatively practice what they are learning while building their working relationships with one another.

Nelson says she looks forward to deepening her understanding of how cohort members can “tap into each other's strengths” to serve the Tri-County area.

“I think it's very important, as an educational institution, for Union to be involved with leadership and development opportunities for our area,” Nelson says. “If we can design programs and educational opportunities which cater to the needs of our community and encourage individuals to choose to reside and work within our region, rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere, that's truly beneficial.”