Baylor Academy for Leadership Development Will Host Speaker Series

September 21, 2018
Academy for Leadership Development

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275
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by Jessie Jilovec, student newswriter

WACO, Texas (Sept. 21, 2018) – The Baylor University Academy for Leadership Development’s fall speaker series will bring to campus an engineer who became a motivational speaker, a foster child who became a successful author, and a World Championship basketball player who became an inspiration to young women.

The series will introduce students to the variety and complexity of leadership needs in today’s society, said Lamar Bryant, director for student leadership education and development. He said the series offers a unique opportunity to help students learn about leadership and service from the speakers’ areas of expertise. In their talks, the speakers will identify social issues that have challenged them and how they worked to overcome those challenges.

“We feel it is imperative for our students to be exposed to various leadership perspectives as they prepare to live out our University's mission of worldwide leadership and service,” Bryant said.

The series will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 25, with Alana Hill. She is an engineer who is recognized for her excellent communication and leadership, a professional who has helped her clients overcome challenges. Known for “Leading Change the Ms. Engineer Way,” Hill has led diverse teams throughout her career and has delivered high-impact workshops around the world.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Derek Clark will speak. Clark is the author of seven inspirational books, including “Never Limit Your Life” and the critically acclaimed “I Will Never Give Up” book series, which discusses his experiences and mental tools used while growing up in the foster care system.

The series concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 6, with Skylar Diggins-Smith, a five-time U.S. women’s basketball gold medalist and captain of the 2010 U.S. under 19 World Championship team, 2011 U.S. World University Games team and 2012 U.S. 3x3 World Championship team.

The Academy for Leadership Development was established in 2004 by the Division of Student Life at Baylor. The goal is to create a common place where diverse individuals studying, researching or practicing leadership in a Christian worldview context will benefit from collaboration. This program aspires to provide a meaningful forum to strengthen students in preparation for a calling in leadership.

All events will take place at 6 p.m. in Cashion Academic Center, Room 506, and are open to the public. For more information, contact Lamar Bryant at 254-710-4988 or Lamar_Bryant@baylor.edu.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.