Published November 16, 2015
Two alumni, along with students and faculty in the Social Science Research Laboratory,
have been selected to participate in the Delta Regional Authority’s Delta Leadership
Institute Executive Academy.
Cole Avery of Jonesboro and Adam Holland of Oak Grove have been selected for the eleventh
class of the DLI Executive Academy. They received nominations from their respective
governors and will join 50 other nominated fellows from the eight Delta region states.
They will participate in a yearlong training program with an intense focus on honing
leadership skills and bettering the Louisiana community, workforce, and infrastructure.
Holland, a 2006 ULM graduate with a degree in General Studies with a focus in Government,
has gone on to become the Mayor of his hometown, Oak Grove, Louisiana.
Avery, who graduated in 2013 with a degree in Mass Communication with a concentration
in Journalism, is the current Communications Director for Congressman Ralph Abraham.
Avery and Holland will attend six sessions spanning across the Delta region and Washington,
D.C. to expand their knowledge of public service and obtain first-hand experience
in advocacy training, public health, transportation, and basic public infrastructure.
Avery and Holland both express their ardent desire to better their hometowns and communities
and are confident that this opportunity will help them become the leaders and visionaries
that will lead Louisiana into a prosperous future.
“I have dedicated my professional life to making Louisiana a better place. I wanted
to join the Delta Leadership Institute because it can help me sharpen my skills and
abilities so that I can be the strongest voice that I can be for my family, friends
and neighbors at home in Louisiana,” Avery said. “Louisiana needs its next generation
of leaders to take active roles in shaping the future, and I know that the expertise
I can gain by participating in the Delta Leadership Institute can help me grow to
be a better person and a better leader.”
Mayor Holland states that, “As the youngest mayor currently serving in the Northeast
Louisiana Delegation, it is my belief that this institute will provide me with valuable
training and networking opportunities that will benefit our community. This will also
allow me to share the information I gain from this experience with other elected officials
in our region who may not be aware of what is available for their communities.”
The DLI is an organization that is striving to better prepare community leaders across
the Delta region by giving them invaluable first-hand experience that will enhance
their understanding of regional issues affecting Louisiana residents. Their training
will equip them with the resources and training to solve those problems within their
communities and better develop their aptitudes for leadership.
Also taking part in a DRA leadership workshop are Dr. John W. Sutherlin, director
of ULM’s Social Science Research Lab (SSRL), and student Alexandria Holland from Las
Vegas, Nevada, who recently graduated from ULM with an MBA and is currently working
on her MPA. On October 22, 2015 they presented a workshop in Memphis, Tennessee that
focused on leadership, transportation, and infrastructure within the Delta region
to a crowd of leading economic development strategists, research experts, and presidents,
vice presidents, and CEO’s of various companies from throughout the Delta region who
gave their own presentations that focused on development opportunities in spite of
social, economic, and political obstacles.
Holland and Dr. Sutherlin worked closely with the Delta Regional Authority, Arkansas
State University, and the University of Alabama to present this workshop as part of
ULM’s SSRL program, which is an interdisciplinary program at ULM that strives to incorporate
the talent and knowledge of students, teachers, and other staff members into services
throughout the region.
The SSRL has been chosen to receive another year of funding from of the DRA for the
Leadership Initiative grant. ULM faculty members Drs. Pamela Saulsberry in social
work and Joshua Stockley in political science also take part in contributions to the
ULM DRA grant.
There will be another session of the leadership workshop in Vicksburg, Mississippi
that will discuss public health and education issues in the Delta Region.
For more information about the Delta Regional Authority and Leadership Institute Executive
Academy please visit dra.gov/about-dra/mission-and-vision.
