Dr. Ben Wilson (2/6)

1. Recently I have been reflecting on my experience and I am amazed at how far we all have come since interviewing last March. When I came in I had no idea what this year would hold, but I am so glad that I have had this opportunity. My involvement has helped me develop in several ways. One of the biggest is learning how to delegate. In the past I would try and do too much by myself. This position has given me the opportunity to learn to identify the strengths of each individual and use those strengths to the advantage of the group. There is too much to be done for just one person to do it, and I have also realized that by trying to do it all myself I am robbing those around me of opportunities to grow. By delegating and having my role be more of a mentor than the "do-er" everyone involved has benefitted. Another way in which my involvement has helped my development as a leader was by participating in the 360 survey. This gave me the change to identify my strengths as well as those things that I could improve upon. I would not have been able to attain that information without this course and the survey.

2. I think that it takes courage to make improvements sometimes. It is not always easy to make changes in long-existing programs. One of my struggles last semester was helping one of my program directors to see the need to make changes in a program. I think that sometimes we get so stuck in tradition that we don't realize that things need to change. We need to have the courage to make those hard decisions about keeping programs and we also need the courage to be honest with ourselves. It will not be easy, but those decisions need to be made. I have always been struck by the idea of "sacred funds" and I think that it is our responsibility to make sure these funds are being spent in the best way possible.