The essence of leadership at UCU

David Saylor • May 22, 2025

Leadership is about more than a title, it's a commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and something greater than yourself. For many, this may mean embracing new challenges or simply striving to make a meaningful impact. At Union Commonwealth University, however, leadership also means investing in the potential of others by creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and collaboration at every level.

Lynn Smith, Executive Vice President for Human Resources at Union, has seen firsthand how leadership can be shaped through intentional development. Whether referring to students stepping into their first work-study role, staff members exploring new responsibilities, or faculty shaping institutional strategy, she has explained that “Union’s priority is to develop the talent we have on hand.”

[PHOTO: Lynn Smith]

One of the most visible examples of that commitment begins with students. “From a student perspective, Union has a lot of opportunities on campus for students who want to work while working on their degrees,” Smith noted. These on-campus roles are designed to mirror professional employment, complete with job descriptions and a formal application process that includes submitting a resume. Once hired, student workers complete the same core trainings as staff including Title IX, FERPA, and harassment prevention. The goal here, however, isn’t just employment. This is leadership preparation wherein students are given the tools to grow into confident, responsible professionals.

While Union offers extensive leadership development opportunities for students, its commitment to growth also extends to staff and faculty. Professional development programs and training are offered through various consortiums and partnerships, such as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), to help develop leadership skills and adapt to new policies. Smith emphasized that these opportunities are crucial for empowering employees at every stage of their careers. Whether they are new hires or seasoned professionals, leadership skills are relevant in both work and personal contexts.

In this pursuit of growth, true leadership often begins with asking the right questions: Where do I fit in? How do I take feedback? What kind of impact do I want to make? As Smith explained, “Folks have the mentality that they need to get a job, but what they’re not thinking about is, do your values align with the institution’s values so that you can ensure that it will be a good fit for both parties?”

Of course, these are questions that take time to answer, and the way they are answered is through continual learning. For that purpose, the essence of leadership is a lifelong journey of growth, and that all starts with a good foundation.

Union supports this kind of ongoing growth not only through internal development, but also by encouraging engagement in leadership opportunities beyond the campus. These opportunities allow for collaboration with peers from other institutions, the exchange of fresh ideas, and the potential for a more substantial impact on a national level. The programs, recognized for their focus on professional growth and leadership development within southeastern Kentucky and the greater Appalachian region, include initiatives such as Leadership Tri-County, the AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program, and the ACA Rural Higher Education Leadership Institute. The following individuals have been recognized for their commitment to professional growth through these programs:

Leadership Tri-County Class of 2025

Andra Butler
Tori Doyle

AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program

Eric Evans
Preshus Howard

ACA Rural Higher Education Leadership Institute

James Becknell
Stephanie Smith
Dr. Joshua Wilkey

Ultimately, these leadership practices reflect the core principles that define Union’s mission and identity: the CIRCLES values of Celebration, Integrity, Responsibility, Civility, Lifelong Learning, Engagement, and Spirituality. Together, they serve as a compass for how leadership is understood, practiced, and sustained across campus. Furthermore, they influence how students, staff, and faculty approach their roles, creating a shared culture of purpose-driven leadership that extends outside the university into the broader Appalachian region and beyond.

Group photo of the Leadership Tri-County class of 2025. Andra Butler and Tori Doyle stand at the far right end.

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