Leadership Athens County is a nine-month course offered by the Athens County Foundation to the emerging leaders of Athens County. The program is designed to raise awareness of the issues facing the county and of the organizations working hard to address these needs, as well as to expand the network of professionals working for the betterment of their communities. As in the past, the 2022-2023 cohort of Leadership Athens County met once a month for a day-long session focused on a particular theme.
Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service was enlisted to provide an evaluation of the program. This year’s evaluation included an online survey of participants as well as an in-person discussion with program participants in May 2023. Sixteen of the program’s 19 participants completed the survey, and 16 participants took part in the facilitated group discussion. Key findings include:
- The majority of participants indicated the LAC Core Program Goals were met. Participants would have liked to see more emphasis on leadership skills development in the program.
- “Networking with others” and “developing a better understanding of community needs, leaders, and organizations” were identified as the most important benefits achieved from LAC.
- Program participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the sessions and themes of the program.
- Most participants perceived session activities as “Very” or “Extremely” helpful. Site visits were identified by participants as the most impactful mode of learning.
- Participants “Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” with most statements regarding the effectiveness of the program structure and facilitators.
- Participants provided a range of suggestions for topics, site visits, activities, an strategies for recruitment for future iterations