ELC members explore human resources, legislative matters
Brandy Hill, left, Tony Boutwell, and An Howard Hill plan a solution for an human resources issue during an exercise at the latest ELC session.
Delving into the worlds of human resources and legislative lobbying, Meridian Community
College's Eagles Leadership Convocation members got a front-row seat from experts
in these arenas during the group's April session.
ELC is an academic year-long professional development and leadership program comprising 10 MCC faculty and staff members: Tony Boutwell, Mitch Brantley, Cyndy Bratu, An Howard Hill, Brandy Hill, Mandy Hurtt, Victoria Liddell, Whitney Stevens, Marlo Turner, and Kristi Williamson.
Guest speakers Amy Boutwell, senior human resources director for Rexel leading a team of HR directors, HR generalist, and talent acquisition specialist, and Deborah J. Gilbert, CPA, policy director for the Mississippi Community College Foundation, shared their experiences with ELC members.
Boutwell, whose organization is one of the world’s largest electrical distribution companies with more than 26,000 employees, noted it is challenging to train people to deal with difficult situations. Still, it is vital for the success of a company or organization. "As a leader, you've got to learn how to handle performance management,” Bowell said.
It was a message that ELC member Stevens gained as a takeaway. “It's important to have the hard conversations," she said. Fellow member An Howard Hill said she learned ethical hiring practices – what could and could not be asked when seeking an ideal job candidate.
Before Gilbert retired from the Mississippi Community College Board in 2018, her responsibilities as deputy executive director for finance and administration included overseeing the annual disbursement of approximately $300 million to the community colleges and managing an agency budget of roughly $100 million.
"Mrs. Gilbert talked a lot about legislative issues and how important it is to go out to talk, to advocate, and be very vocal on those things that you desire,” Stevens said. An Howard Hill echoed that sentiment, adding, "it’s really interesting to see how they make policy changes and directives that we need to have the funding to have the resources to get the students and how it affects and relates directly to my job."
Stevens added, "It worked out well to have both speakers here to talk today.”
Overall, ELC has been a boon to the participants. "For me, learning about payroll, learning about financial aid, learning about diversity and inclusion has broadened my concept in how I'm going to run my program, how I'm going to recruit students, how I'm going to create an environment that is suited for all," An Howard Hill added.
At the next Eagle Leadership Convocation session, a final group project focused on identifying a College need with a fully developed program/solution will be presented to the President's Cabinet in May.
To learn more about the Eagle Leadership Convocation 2023-2024 or to apply, visit meridiancc.edu/elc. The deadline to apply is April 28.