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25th Anniversary Celebration

Pathfinders: Dean's Report 2017-18

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Jepson Internship

Risk-Takers Who Choose the Path Less Traveled

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2017 Colloquy Ceremony

Knowledge-Seekers Who Challenge Old Ways of Thinking

Jepson Faculty in the News
An Evening with Leland Melvin

Influencers Who Bring Leadership to Life

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2018 Jepson EDGE Institute

Trailblazers Who Inspire Others

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To the Pathfinders,

The past year was a stark reminder of the deep political and social divisions within our world. We were confronted almost daily with ethical and leadership failures, and we witnessed the collapse of civil debate into violence, bigotry, and intolerance.

Yet I remain hopeful.

Inspiring leadership is more important now than ever. At the Jepson School, we are committed to educating tomorrow’s leaders, to exploring new areas of leadership scholarship, and to raising our visibility as the nation’s premier leadership program.

In 2017–18, the Jepson School celebrated 25 tremendous years. But we are not slowing down. As you read this report, you will see why I believe we still have much reason to hope.

Sincerely,

Sandra J. Peart, Dean

The Jepson Profile-Raising Initiative

2018 Commencement

For the past 25 years, the Jepson School of Leadership Studies has been defined by risk-takers, knowledge-seekers, influencers, and trailblazers. Now, it is our turn to tell your story. 

The Jepson School Executive Board of Advisors launched an initiative to raise the School’s profile among industry leaders. The campaign will highlight alumni’s professional successes and faculty scholarship and expertise.
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Risk-Takers Who Choose the Path Less Traveled

Maren Miller, '18
Maren Miller, ’18, a University of Richmond senior and self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, is having plenty of adventures while completing her Jepson Internship with New Zealand-based PR company Lily & Louis.
Leadership & URISE
Dr. Julian Hayter and Dr. Jessica Flanigan participated in URISE programming to introduce students to leadership studies and discuss topics related to critical thinking.
Leland Damron, '18
During her Jepson Internship at Meru District Hospital, Leland Damron, '18, sees need for creativity in leadership and medicine.
Madison Martinez, '18
Madison Martinez, '18, learns about the entertainment industry through internship at company that produced The DaVinci Code, Apollo 13, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Jepson students visit CBS6 news station
On March 20, students in Dr. Al Goethals’ Theories and Models of Leadership class visited the WTVR CBS6 news station to explore the practical side of leadership and the critical need for leadership in every industry.
Patrick Hughes, '18
Leadership studies major Patrick Hughes, ’18, is attempting to understand how context correlates with the emergence of illiberal leadership.
Dana Rafferty, '18
Dana Rafferty, ’18, first became interested in studying diversity in higher education during her Freshman Year Seminar, Psychology of Diversity, with Dr. Crystal Hoyt. As it turned out, that class would spark questions that would lead Rafferty to an honors research project.
Finale 2018
In his Finale keynote address, retiring Jepson School of Leadership Studies professor Gary L. McDowell challenged new Jepson graduates to live out their ambitions as they go out into the world.

Knowledge-Seekers Who Challenge Old Ways of Thinking

Dr. Allison Archer
In fall 2017, Dr. Allison Archer joined the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as assistant professor of leadership studies. At the Jepson School, she is currently teaching Leadership and the Social Sciences. 
2017 Last Lecture
Jessica Flanigan, who was named the 2017 OΔK Epsilon Circle Faculty Member of the Year in May, was invited by the student leadership organization to give this year’s Last Lecture.
Dr. Riddhi Bhandari
Anthropologist Riddhi Bhandari is spending the year immersing herself in research, learning, and life in Richmond, Va., as 2017–18 Zuzana Simoniova Cmelikova Visiting Scholar in Leadership and Ethics.
Leadership Speculations
In her new blog, Leadership Speculations, Jepson School Dean Sandra J. Peart hopes to raise awareness of new theories and experiments in leadership among a wide audience.
UR professor Julian Hayter discusses national monument debate with Anderson Cooper on '60 Minutes' this Sunday
Sought after for his expertise in U.S. history and civil rights, University of Richmond leadership studies professor and historian Julian Hayter discusses the national debate about Confederate monuments with Anderson Cooper on this week’s “60 Minutes,” which airs Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m. on the CBS Television Network.
Dr. Gary L. McDowell
After 15 years of service at the University of Richmond, McDowell, whose distinguished career has included a friendship with Lady Margaret Thatcher and serving as chief speech writer for former Attorney General Edwin Meese III, is retiring from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies.

Influencers Who Bring Leadership to Life

Robert D. Putnam
Putnam visited the University of Richmond campus for the fourth event in the 2017–18 Jepson Leadership Forum speaker series. He spoke about what he called the growing opportunity gap in the United States.
2017 International Studying Leadership Conference
The 16th annual International Studying Leadership Conference (ISLC) brought leadership scholars from all over the world to the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies from Dec. 10–12. 
2017-18 Marshall Center Lecture Series

The 2017–18 Marshall Center Lecture Series, which highlighted U.S. presidents, drew in record-breaking audiences.

2017-18 Leader-in-Residence

Vivian Pinn met with Science Leadership Scholars, visited Jepson classes, and hosted a public lecture on diversity in the sciences.

Chasing Space
Leland Melvin, who served as the 2008–09 Jepson School leader-in-residence, shared his experiences at a special book discussion and signing hosted by the Jepson School as part of its 25th anniversary year celebration.

Trailblazers Who Inspire Others

2018 Jepson EDGE InstituteAlumni talked about how they apply their leadership studies education at work in a series of vignettes, visited with students at a basketball tailgate, and organized the annual EDGE Institute.
2018 Reunion Weekend Awards

Maurice Henderson, ’97, and Patrick Oliver, ’98, received the Jepson School Alumni Award, and Allison DuVal, ’08, received the Jepson School Tenth Year Reunion Recognition Award.

Kyle Lauletta on using his Jepson education on the football field
Bleacher Report article examines how University of Richmond Quarterback Kyle Lauletta's leadership studies education "sounds like the ultimate off-field training for an NFL quarterback prospect" and sets Lauletta apart from other quarterbacks going into the 2018 NFL draft.
Returning to the classroom

Alumni returned to campus to speak with Jepson classes about their work and organizations.

Brittney Quinones, '13 - Regional Assistant Director of Admission, University of Richmond Watch Video
Michael Watrous, '03 - Vice President of Sales, Supreme Orthopedic Systems Watch Video
Juletta Tyson, '95 - Grants Administrator, Virginia Commonwealth University Watch Video
Hira Siddiqui, '16 - Account Executive, SimpsonScarborough Watch Video
Jessica Ruzic, '10 - Cybersecurity Policy Subject Matter Expert, CSBS Watch Video
Kate Materna Rezabek, '02 - Director of Group Fitness, American Family Fitness Watch Video
Matthew Reinaker, '02 - President, Asurest Watch Video
Joey Pahira, '07 - Manager, Public Health Services, PwC Watch Video
John Obeck, '16 - Student, University of Maryland School of Dentistry Watch Video
Jonathan Nichols, '03 - Director of Underwriting, Allianz Worldwide Partners Watch Video
Sara McGanity, '07 - Vice President, Marwood Group Watch Video
Alison (Smith) Mangiero, '05 - Senior Director, Adam Smith Society Watch Video
Renee Macbeth, '00 - Senior Academic Advisor, Virginia Commonwealth University Watch Video
Lacie Leming, '13 - Senior Associate, ICF Watch Video
Aaron Lee, '00 - Import Account Manager, Independent Container Line Watch Video

25 Years of Pathfinders