Dr. Crystal Jones, vice president of marketing, diversity, and community impact at Clark State College has been accepted into the 2023 Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership.
The Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership is a national professional development activity, sponsored by the Presidents’ Round Table of African – American CEOs of Community Colleges. The Institute provides a personal and professional development experience for selected individuals who have demonstrated a potential for expanded leadership roles in their current or future responsibilities within community colleges. Participants develop and strengthen leadership competencies through participation in the Institute. Upon completion of the Institute, each mentee is given the option of being assigned to a mentor to explore more in – depth analyses of individual leadership skills. The Institute’s focus is to transform good administrators into extraordinary leaders.
“Crystal Jones has the academic background, communication skills, networking abilities, student-success focus and drive to attain the position of college president, as she truly represents the future of the profession,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “Her commitment to community colleges and higher education is inspiring, genuine and impactful, and she, the participants, and mentors in the Lakin Institute will benefit from her engagement in the program.”
Created for community college administrators with approximately five years of senior – level work experience, the Institute serves individuals with excellent prospects to serve in chief executive leadership positions across the United States and internationally. Participants represent diverse senior – level administrative functions at community colleges.
Prior to her appointment as vice president, Jones worked as assistant dean of the school of business and applied technologies, and as associate professor and program coordinator for marketing and medical office administration. She began her career at Clark State in 2007 as an adjunct faculty member.
Dr. Jones has served the Ohio Association of Community Colleges as a key member of the Intel Project Marketing Officers’ group, and her skills have been tapped to assist the OACC in other areas of workforce need. She has been a mentor, leader, and participant in the Student Success Leadership Academy, and is a sought-after speaker on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and workforce.
“I am excited, and grateful to be selected to be a part of the Thomas Lakin Institute for mentored leadership,” said Dr. Jones. “I look forward to connecting with other distinguished professionals in Kansas City next month.”
The Lakin Institute is heavily participation – oriented with an emphasis on skill building and collaborative learning. Each mentee is expected to participate in a week – long intensive program of study, which has a strong leadership component encouraging participants to immediately apply knowledge, principles, and skills acquired or enhanced through the program.
The Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, October 15 through 20.