The Academy of the Holy Angels’ inaugural “Invitation to Leadership as Gift” seminar drew to a close this month. During the final session, Sister Kathleen Cornell, SSND, asked her students to reflect on their personal leadership styles.
Each young woman considered whether she sees herself as a creative and artistic leader, an uncomfortably honest person who disturbs old patterns, a nurturer who brings out the best in others, a spark plug who gets people moving, a manager who organizes and harnesses other people’s energy, or a friend and companion who respects the integrity of others’ journeys.
Sister Kathleen and AHA Academic Dean Francesca Tambone-Puzio presented each student with a certificate noting their successful completion of this special offering. The young women responded by presenting Sister Kathleen with tokens of their esteem, including a bouquet of flowers and heartfelt hugs.
Throughout her life, Sister Kathleen has been leading others as a teacher, principal, college administrator and faculty member, and as leader of the SSND’s Atlantic-Midwest Province. At AHA, she encouraged her students to discover who they are and how they want to be as leaders. Seminar participants explored belief systems, decision-making, collaboration, and the importance of listening. They also learned to set goals, develop a meeting agenda, encourage dialogue, and assess progress. The seminar was offered in Kelleher Hall’s SSND Heritage Room during community time, a 70-minute flexible period that is part of AHA’s new schedule.
