WARNER ROBINS – Mercer University on June 22 recognized 12 members of Robins Air Force Base’s 78th Comptroller Squadron and 78th Operations Support Squadron who recently completed Penfield College’s Leadership Development Certificate Program.
The six-week program, which included sessions on Mercer’s Macon campus and Robins Air Force Base, was customized for the two units within the 78th Air Base Wing in order to provide an introduction to leadership development.
Areas of study included team-building, communication skills, conflict management, Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and others designed to build an effective leadership team for civilian and military personnel. This information was used to develop action plans, a number of which are already being implemented by certificate recipients.
“The aim of the program was to improve the well-being of the participants, increase communication with others and raise accountability to the organization,” said Dr. Lynn W. Clemons, associate professor of organizational leadership, chair of Penfield College’s Department of Leadership Studies, and program coordinator for the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in organizational leadership. “The program addressed leadership practices that are important for organizational success. Upon completion, participants should be able to gain greater self-awareness through reflection, enhance leadership skills identified in the leadership inventories completed, and then utilize those skills and knowledge to impact self, work and the greater community.”
The 78th Air Base Wing at Robins Air Force Base has been supporting combat operations for 62 years. It provides physical, military and community operations and business infrastructure processes for the base and its 39 associate units. The wing is responsible for logistics readiness, medical, civil engineer, security, comptroller activities, contracting, morale and welfare, mission support, public affairs, legal civilian personnel, environmental management, fire emergency services, and emergency management for the installation.
Units include 78th Mission Support Group, 78th Medical Group, 78th Civil Engineer Group, 78th Security Forces Squadron, 78th Operations Support Squadron, 78th Comptroller Squadron and the 78th Communications Directorate.
Penfield College has offered a number of certificate and workforce development programs to clients such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Department of Public Health, Piedmont Healthcare, GreyStone Power Corporation, Wyle, Leadership Douglas, Leadership Henry and various law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia. These programs include executive leadership, health coaching and multidisciplinary care coordination, leadership for the medical practice, public safety, and substance abuse counseling.
Mercer’s B.S. in organizational leadership is offered in Atlanta, Douglas County, Henry County and Macon, with concentrations in change leadership, civic engagement and community leadership, communication for a global society, and women and leadership. The M.S. in organizational leadership is offered in Atlanta, Henry County and Macon, with concentrations in leadership and organizational development and change, leadership for the healthcare profession, and leadership for the nonprofit organization. For more information, visit penfield.mercer.edu/programs.
About Penfield College
Mercer University’s Penfield College, established as the College of Continuing and Professional Studies in 2003, is committed to serving post-traditional learners. Undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs are offered to adult learners seeking professional advancement into leadership roles in and beyond their communities. Penfield’s programs provide students with distinctive, multidisciplinary experiences that integrate theory and practice. In addition to providing general education and elective courses for various colleges and schools at Mercer, Penfield offers degree programs in areas including technology, public safety, public and human services, leadership and administration, healthcare and liberal arts. Programs are offered on Mercer’s campuses in Atlanta and Macon, as well as Regional Academic Centers in Douglas County and Henry County, and online. To learn more, visit penfield.mercer.edu.
