University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies

The Jepson Update

A newsletter for alumni and friends of the Jepson School • September 2016

From the Dean

Sandra J. Peart

Over the past month, the problem of sexual violence has been the focus of much discussion on and off campus. I want to affirm that all of us at the Jepson School are determined to ensure the safety of our students at the University of Richmond.

In this newsletter, you will find information about the many accomplishments of Jepson alumni, students, and faculty. While we have many things to take pride in, I am mindful that we must continually improve. President Crutcher has invited members of the University community to submit recommendations online about what more the University can do to address sexual misconduct on our campus and to support and care for those who report incidents of sexual violence. As alumni and friends of the Jepson School, I hope you will continue to contribute thoughtfully to this important conversation.

Sincerely,

Sandra J. Peart
Dean, Jepson School of Leadership Studies
University of Richmond

Recapping 2015-16The 2015–16 academic year was a great success for the Jepson School. We launched our new Science Leadership Scholars Program, saw record numbers at our Jepson Leadership Forum speaker events, and won the annual Spring School Challenge for the second year in a row! For more about these and other stories, check out our 2015–16 Dean's Report, now available online.

Help the Jepson Alumni Corps congratulate Dr. Gill Hickman!

Professor Emerita Gill R. Hickman

We're putting together a memory book for Professor Emerita Gill R. Hickman, who will be honored with the prestigious ILA Leadership Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award this fall in Atlanta, and we need your help!

Send us notes sharing your congratulations and favorite memories of her to include in the book! Have any good photos of her from when you were a student? Include those as well! We will pull everything together and present it to her at an alumni reception in Atlanta on Nov. 3.

Help us congratulate Dr. Hickman! Send your notes and photos to Elizabeth DeBusk-Maslanka, Manager, Communications & Academic Research, by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 30.

Reunion Weekend Alumni Awards

Michelle Swartz Castiglione, ’06, received the Jepson School of Leadership Studies Tenth Year Reunion Recognition Award. Castiglione is a senior leadership analyst for the federal government. Her work profiling Middle Eastern leaders has shaped the foreign policy decisions of several presidents, White House officials, and members of the National Security Council. She holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership studies from UR and an M.P.A. in international relations from Princeton University.

Chris Yurchuck, ’96, received the Jepson School of Leadership Studies Alumni Award. Yurchuck, a singer and songwriter, graduated from the University of Richmond with a major in leadership studies and a minor in music. After college he released two records, and his songs have been featured on television shows, including Felicity and Everwood, and are currently in programming on A&E, Fox, The Food Network, Oxygen, and Lifetime.

Students from Kenya Visit the Jepson School

On Aug. 16, students in the Barack Obama Leadership Program visited the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. The visit was part of a seven-day trip to the United States, which included stops in Richmond and Washington, D.C. Dean Peart and Dr. Soderlund welcomed the students to the School, and Drs. von Rueden and Hayter led discussions surrounding leadership studies. Our guests presented the Jepson School with a banner and enjoyed dinner in the dining hall with several Jepson students.

Media coverage:
Kenya students visit Jepson School of Leadership Studies (NPR)
Kenyan students in Barack Obama Leadership Program visit Richmond university (The Progress-Index)

News & Updates

Faculty updates

In June, Dr. Crystal Hoyt assumed the role of associate dean for academic affairs.

Dr. Haley Harwell joined the Jepson faculty as assistant professor of leadership studies. Her teaching and research examine leadership in economic decision-making.

2016–17 Zuzana Simoniova Cmelikova Visiting Scholar Dr. Maria Esperanza Casullo joins us from Argentina, where she is associate professor at the Universidad Nacional de Río Negro.

Dr. Ken Ruscio, president of Washington & Lee University and former dean of the Jepson School, is the 2016–17 Leader-in-Residence. On Nov. 10, he'll moderate a panel discussion on governing after the votes are cast.

Faculty in the news: Jepson faculty have recently been featured in media such as Bloomberg, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond Magazine, and NPR.

Alumni updates

Josh Hayden was named Director of Executive Programs for its Spark: Lipscomb’s Idea Center.

Maurice Henderson was named Portland Mayor-elect Ted Wheeler's new chief of staff.

Hunter Allen is now Director of Risk Management at Capital One.

Stay in touch Send us the latest news about your promotion, new job, relocation, honors, family, or educational advancement, and connect with the Jepson School on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Support the School With your support, students have more opportunities to learn firsthand about leadership in the real world, make valuable connections, gain practical hands-on experience, conduct research, and obtain a truly top-notch education. Learn more about ways you can support the School.