Stephanie Gruber
Salk
USC Salkehatchie and SouthernCarolina Alliance proudly announce the completion of its 2020 Leadership Salkehatchie class, a program that empowers participants with the economic development knowledge and skills needed to cultivate progress within the Salkehatchie Region. Leadership Salkehatchie’s 20th class consists of business leaders, educators, political leaders, and law enforcement representing Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. This year’s graduates are: Karissa Ulmer (Colleton), Letitia Dowling (Bamberg), Sarah Lyn Tuten (Hampton), Dolton Williams (Beaufort), Amye Stivender (Colleton), Kathleen Barnes (Hampton), Cliff Warren (Colleton), Joshua Rowland (Jasper), Katrina Riley (Allendale), Jon Pye (Allendale), Chantsie Pickelsimer (Barnwell), Marcus Rivera (Barnwell), Mike Beasley (Barnwell), Ladson Fishburne (Colleton), and Bill Goodson (Allendale).
“SouthernCarolina Alliance has sponsored the regional leadership program in partnership with USC Salkehatchie for more than 20 years because the development of strong leaders is paramount to the future of economic development in our region. Our most valuable marketable product to prospects is our “talent” or workforce. We need leaders who understand the importance of economic development, education and training in fostering great communities for both families and businesses. The leadership program brings together our brightest and most promising leaders to share ideas about the future of our region, collaborate, and learn more about the impact of health care, education, training, taxation, infrastructure, and our environment to create a shared vision for the future,” Vice President, Marketing for SouthernCarolina Alliance Kay Maxwell said. “We are pleased that many of our past leadership participants are now today’s leaders in industry, business, nonprofits, and local and county government. They are making decisions every day that will create stronger communities for our future, and SouthernCarolina Alliance is proud to be a part of that.”
Participants of the Leadership Salkehatchie Class of 2020 participated in monthly leadership workshops with topics in leadership, economic development, criminal justice, civic engagement, and regional services. Participants also developed and presented capstone group projects they felt could improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Salkehatchie Region. These included youth leadership, youth mentoring, litter and beautification, and promotion of the region through virtual field trips. Each project was unique and provided avenues for the participants to showcase their leadership skills.
“We can all make a difference. It may be something small or even something grand, but we can all contribute,” graduate Bill Goodson said.
The Class of 2020 will be recognized for their achievements at the next SCA Annual Event which has not yet been scheduled due to COVID restrictions. They will also be invited to attend a trip to Washington D.C. in 2022 to meet with government leaders with the next cohort.
The program was facilitated by USC Salkehatchie Dean Emerita Dr. Ann Carmichael, who has over 30 years of leadership experience. She is a graduate of the Furman University Riley Leadership Institute. Most recently, Dr. Carmichael received the SC Department of Commerce 2019 Rural Leadership Award at the 29th Annual South Carolina Rural Summit.
The next group of emerging leaders will participate in Leadership Salkehatchie this fall. They are: Michelle Altman, William Barnes, Maryann Blake, William Bishop, Austrai Bradley, Nathan Catoe, Cindy Crosby, Alicia Davis, Errin Hessinger, Leslie Holman-Brooks, Natalia Johnson, Marilyn Myrdal, Kevin Smalls, Dawn Stuckey, Walter (Bo) White, and Elizabeth Wooten.
For more information about Leadership Salkehatchie, please visit uscsalkehatchieleadership.org.
Jessica Goodwin (Program Assistant), Ann Carmichael (Program Facilitator).
For more information, contact Stephanie Gruber, Coordinator of Communications and Marketing, at grubersi@mailbox.sc.edu.
