Georgia Southern Emerging Leaders Program Strengthens Leadership Pipeline
Georgia Southern University recently concluded the Spring 2026 cohort of the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) for Emerging Leaders. 28 faculty and staff members participated in the semester-long, cohort-based program to build leadership capability while emphasizing performance excellence.
They participated in a series of learning experiences, such as interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching and leadership shadowing. John Banter, Ed.D., director of the Office of Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Development and Engagement, runs the program. The idea is to bring people from every division together to build relationships that support collaboration across the institution.
“This program is an embodiment of our vision statement – People, Purpose, Action: Growing Ourselves to Grow Others – as we invest in our people so they can be effective and influential leaders across our institution,” said Dominique A. Quarles, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Development and Engagement. “We involve departmental, institutional and executive leaders to make this program successful and I am so grateful for their expertise and willingness to contribute to the growth of our colleagues.”
The Spring 2026 Emerging Leaders cohort included:
- Kaitlin Anderson, University Communications and Marketing, Office of the President
- Brittiny Calles, Eagle Dining Services, Business and Finance
- Ariel Cornett, Ph.D., College of Education, Academic Affairs
- Joann Cottrell, Academic Success Center, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Jacob Crawford, IT Solutions Management, Business and Finance
- Steven Cushner, Public Safety, Business and Finance
- Katie C. Fester, University Housing, Business and Finance
- Casey Fountain, Admissions, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Jonathan Friedel, Ph.D., College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Academic Affairs
- Melissa Gast-Goodman, Office of Research Services, Research and Economic Development
- Hunter Gatewood, PsyD, Counseling Center, Student Affairs
- Christopher Hagan, Grounds Operations, Business and Finance
- Catherine Bishop Hoopaugh, Office of Student Activities,Student Affairs
- Shainaz Landge, Ph.D., College of Science and Mathematics, Academic Affairs
- Kelli Lemieux, Enrollment Services, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Elizabeth Lustgarten, Bursar’s Office, Business and Finance
- Charles Marvil, Parker College of Business, Academic Affairs
- Courtney Meihoff, University Communications and Marketing, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Kylie Moore, Institutional Research, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Marcus Mosley, CARC, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Serena Murphy, Institutional Assessment and Accreditation, Academic Affairs
- Slade Richison, Student-Athlete Services, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Nalanda Roy, Ph.D., College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Academic Affairs
- Shelley Salter, Office of Research Integrity, Research and Economic Development
- Peter Sciolis, NSFP, Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
- Jessica Todd, College of Arts and Humanities, Academic Affairs
- Anthony Ursillo, Advancement Services, University Advancement
- Robert Yarbrough, Ph.D., College of Science and Mathematics, Academic Affairs
The Leadership Development Institute for Emerging Leaders is part of Georgia Southern University’s broader Leadership Development Institutes, which also include programs for Executive and Institutional Leaders and for Departmental Leaders. Together, these programs create a clear and intentional pathway for leadership growth at every level.
For more information about Georgia Southern University’s Leadership Development Institutes, visit the Leadership Development Institute webpage.