News
May 15, 2018
Delta Leadership Institute opens application cycle for 2018-2019 Executive Academy
CLARKSDALE, Miss. — The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today opened its application cycle for the 2018-2019 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy. Since 2005, the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) has trained a diverse group of community leaders dedicated to improving their communities.
Delta residents interested in the 2018-2019 Executive Academy can apply through July 16 at http://www.dra.gov/leadership.
“DLI works with leaders in Delta communities to improve economic opportunities and enhance workforce competitiveness across our region,” DRA Chairman Chris Caldwell said. “The Executive Academy trains local leaders to share best practices and implement successful ideas in the Delta region and collaborate with public and private partners to address local and regional challenges. Building A Better Delta starts on the local level and our agency is committed to developing leadership for generations to come.”
DLI was created to support and educate leaders committed to helping create jobs, build their communities and improve the lives of their neighbors. DLI provides professional leadership and policy training on issues that advance the economic and workforce competitiveness of Delta communities.
DLI fellows attend seven sessions over 10 months, traveling to communities in each of DRA”s eight states. Fellows explore existing programs and community models in the Delta, including discussions that enhance community engagement. Field experiences focus on improving the region, with an emphasis on economic development, infrastructure, workforce training and education, entrepreneurship and public health.
Upon graduation, DLI fellows become members of the Delta Leadership Network (DLN), which provides opportunities to engage in continued learning, information sharing and collaboration within their states and across the Delta region.
2018-2019 Schedule
Session I: Orientation
October 29-November 2 | Memphis, TN
Session II: Improving Workforce Competitiveness
December 3-7 | Vicksburg, MS
Session III & Delta Leadership Network Conference
February 4-8 | Little Rock, AR
Session IV: Strengthening Modern Infrastructure
March 25-29 | New Orleans, LA
Session V: Increasing Community Competitiveness
April 23-27 | Selma, AL
Session VI: Organizing for Community Success
June 17-21 | Cape Girardeau, MO/Carbondale, IL
Session VII: Graduation
August 5-9 | Lake Barkley, KY
*All dates represent the week the session will be held, but the class will only meet for 3-4 days during that week.
About the Delta Leadership Institute
The Delta Leadership Institute is a program of the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with the University of Alabama, Arkansas State University, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Through its Executive Academy, DLI has provided leadership development to more than 500 community leaders over thirteen years and strengthened skills development, information sharing, and regional collaboration. DLI maintains an environment for continued education and engagement for its alumni through the Delta Leadership Network. Learn more at dra.gov/leadership.
About the Delta Regional Authority
The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. DRA has invested more than $185 million into more than 1,100 projects. Overall, DRA investments have helped create and retain more than 55,000 jobs, train nearly 45,000 workers to advance in the 21st Century, and deliver sewer and water improvements to more than 238,000 residents and businesses. Learn more at dra.gov.
April 26, 2018
Delta Leadership helps ArtsRevive paint Concrete barricades
By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal
Traveling across the Mississippi River Delta Region and engaging in dialogue is something the members of the Delta Leadership Institute are familiar with. The organization’s Session IV: Enhancing Community Capacity three-day session was April 25-27 in Selma.
During the session, the group visited different historical sites in the city and heard from prominent community leaders on different topics each day.
Delta Leadership Institute director Spencer Lucker said the organization’s visit to Selma was apart of its yearly six sessions where they travel to different states and speak with community leaders.
“We take them all over our region [to] the seven states along the Mississippi River,” he said. He said there are now nearly 500 members across the eight-state region.
The three-day session in Selma was centered on enhancing community competitiveness, one of Delta Regional Authority’s three regional development plan goals.
Lucker said part of the focus of community competitiveness is determining how to utilize assets within the community to make the area more appealing to business investments and possible new residents.
As a part of their agenda for the day, ArtsRevive held a reception for the group at its Carneal Building Wednesday evening. The group also be engaged in dialogue about what having organizations like ArtsRevive means to Selma and how it relates to economic and community development.
“It’s an opportunity for us to connect the current fellows in the class with the alumni of the program,” Lucker said.
Lucker believes it is important for the current fellows to speak with alumni about possible plans for the future.
“One of the greatest strengths of the institute is the network that we create of alumni who can learn from eachother,” he said. “Learn what’s working and what is not in their communities.”
Black Belt Community Foundation president Felicia Lucky, Mayor Darrio Melton and Ward 2 Councilwoman Susan Youngblood are all alumni of the program.
Youngblood said the group looks at what makes a community unique, and they try and think of ways the city can build on that.
“Of course, in Selma a big focus is on civil rights,” Youngblood said. “When people think of Selma they think of Civil War and civil rights.”
Around 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge was blocked off by police officers per Mayor Melton’s orders so the group could take a photo on the bridge.
Later that morning, the group visited the Interpretive Center as well as toured and had lunch at the Old Depot. Youngblood said places like the Old Depot Museum tell a complete story of the city’s history.
“That’s the place that has the most comprehensive history of Selma,” she said.
Although the group is visiting all of the historic places and having some dialogue about Selma’s history, Youngblood said the group’s sole purpose is community development.
Deputy Judge Executive for Marshall County, Kentucky, and Delta Leadership Institute fellow Brad Warning said joining the organization has been beneficial and some of the ideas shared at the sessions can be used elsewhere as well.
“I’d like to take some of those ideas and try to apply it to my community,” Warning said.
Blackbelt Outreach Manager for Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Delta Leadership Institute member Kennard Randolph looked forward to learning a lot this session.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we can better leverage resources and how economic development can play a pivotal role in increasing revenue,” he said.
April 24, 2018
Delta Leadership helps ArtsRevive paint Concrete barricades
By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal
The Delta Leadership Institute and ArtsRevive teamed up Tuesday afternoon to add a splash of color to downtown Selma.
President of ArtsRevive Gale Bedgood said painting the cement blocks in front of the Carneal Building helps the organization continue its mission to make downtown Selma more appealing.
“They are not exactly an attractive part of Selma,” she said. “We’ve all tried to figure out a way to make it more attractive.”
The concrete barricades were placed in the spot where a fatal car accident happened years ago and have been there since. Bedgood feels that adding the art to the concrete would help paint positive memories in the place of tragedy while adding to the art district of downtown.
“You’re gonna be turning that corner and you’re gonna have a little art inspiration right there,” she said.
She said the organization came to help with the foundation of the painting. “They have to have a base coat put on them, and that’s what the Delta Regional volunteers will do,” she said.
The next step after the base coat is done is for ArtsRevive to find someone to paint a collage or mural over the base coat. “It’s going to be an art moment,” she said. The organization is still working on who the artist will be and will give them full artistic reign over the design.
Director of the Delta Leadership Institute Spencer Lucker said the organization is excited to lend a helping hand to the organization. He said Delta Leadership Institute member and Councilwoman Susan Youngblood was instrumental in the partnership between the two organizations. Delta Leadership Institute also helped with ArtsRevive’s Chalk and Talk initiative, which is a way for the community to have dialogue and engage in a creative and assessable way about their feelings.
November 16, 2017
Delta Leadership Institute to send 41 community leaders to Harvard Kennedy School
MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA REGION – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is continuing its partnership with Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) to offer an advanced education opportunity exclusively to members of the Delta Leadership Network. The program, designed and led by Harvard faculty, focuses on cultivating “authentic leadership” to move Delta communities forward. The Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) will send 41 representatives from across the eight states of the DRA footprint.
This year’s four day-session, from Nov. 27-30, will be led by retired Air Force Brigadier General Dana Born, co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at HKS.
“This executive training will equip regional leaders across the Delta with the latest advancements in leadership skills and will prepare them to make positive changes in their local communities,” said Peter Kinder, DRA’s alternate federal co-chairman. “These participants are alumni of the Delta Leadership Institute’s Executive Academy and were selected due to the leadership they have exemplified in their communities and their ability to translate these experiences to actionable solutions for the region.”
The class includes six members from Alabama; six from Arkansas; six from Illinois; two from Kentucky; four from Louisiana; four from Mississippi; five from Missouri; and six from Tennessee. The group reflects the diversity of the Delta region and includes public, private, and non-profit leaders that have graduated from the DLI’s Executive Academy. Chairman Kinder, DLI director Spencer Lucker, and select DLI staff will participate with the delegation of Delta leaders in the continuing education session.
The 2017 Authentic Leadership participants are:
Alabama
- Susan Keith of Selma | City of Selma
- Teresa McCall of Montgomery | Alabama Department of Mental Health
- Donald Mills of Livingston | The University of West Alabama Small Business Development Center
- Chad Nichols of Hoover | Sight Savers America
- Gena Robbins of York | City of York & The University of West Alabama
- Max Snyder of Northport | City of Northport
Arkansas
- Mellie Bridewell of Lake Village | Arkansas Rural Health Partnership
- Lynn Hawkins-Caldwell of Lexa | Arkansas Rural Health Partnership
- Bevin Hunter of Wilson | Lawrence Group
- Karen McDaniel of Jonesboro | Arkansas State University
- Trudy Redus of Pine Bluff | City of Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation
- Peggy Robinson Wright of Forrest City | Arkansas State University
Illinois
- Brandi Bradley of Marion | Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
- Lynne Chambers of Grand Chain | Legacy Training, Inc.
- Brian Chapman of Ava | Southern Illinois University System
- Tracey Glenn of Herrin | Peoples National Bank
- Jennifer Olson of Carterville | The Lookout at the Lake
- Woody Thorne of Makanda | Southern Illinois Healthcare
Kentucky
- Brandi Harless of Paducah | City of Paducah
- Mark Lee of Madisonville | Paragon Development Consultants, LLC
Louisiana
- Cole Avery of Jonesboro | Office of U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham
- Leslie Durham of St. Joseph | Office of Governor John Bel Edwards
- Adam Holland of Oak Grove | Town of Oak Grove
- Heather Malone of Vidalia | City of Vidalia
Mississippi
- Josh Bower of Jackson | Hinds Community College
- Rolando Herts of Cleveland | Delta State University – The Delta Center for Culture and Learning
- Tim Lampkin of Clarksdale | Higher Purpose Co.
- Lane Riley of Cleveland | Delta Hands for Hope
Missouri
- Steve Halter of Poplar Bluff | Greater Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce
- Maude Harris of Sikeston | University of Missouri Extension
- Kris Klaus of Perryville | Klaus Construction
- Scott Sattler of Perryville | Perry County Economic Development Authority
- Christina Wade of Caruthersville | Delta Regional Authority
Tennessee
- Minnie Bommer of Covington | City of Covington
- Julie Allen Burke of Milan | Milan Chamber of Commerce
- Landy Fuqua of Martin | University of Tennessee at Martin REED Center
- Travis Martin of Jackson | TLM Associates, Inc.
- Bill Rawls of Brownsville | City of Brownsville
- Kayla Taylor of Jackson | Younger Associates
DLI Staff
- Andrea Allen | Arkansas State University
- Shawnie Carrier | Arkansas State University
- Leigh Hersey | University of Louisiana Monroe
- Lauren Lewis | The University of Alabama
About the Delta Leadership Institute
The Delta Leadership Institute is a program of the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with the University of Alabama, Arkansas State University, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Through its Executive Academy, DLI has provided leadership development to 500 community leaders over twelve years and strengthened skills development, information sharing, and regional collaboration. DLI maintains an environment for continued education and engagement for its alumni through the Delta Leadership Network. Learn more at dra.gov/leadership.
October 26, 2017
Delta Regional Authority welcomes 51 new leaders into program that encourages regional collaboration
MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA REGION – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) welcomes 51 new leaders into the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy program. The academy helps fellows further their skills in community leadership and policy development to promote regional collaboration and local economic growth across DRA’s eight-state region.
“DRA is pleased to begin working with this new class of leaders who are committed to learning from each other and working together to improve our region and build a strong future for the Delta,” said Peter Kinder, alternate federal co-chairman of DRA. “DRA remains committed to investing in our region’s talent with tools, experiences and networking that will provide them with ideas and solutions to ensure continued growth and development in the Delta region.”
DLI fellows will attend six sessions across the region, visiting each of the eight states in the DRA footprint. They will engage in policy and program development, advocacy training, case-study discussions, and on-the-ground field experiences aligned with DRA’s priorities for the region. Those priorities include: transportation and infrastructure; workforce training and education; entrepreneurship and disaster resilience for small businesses and communities; public health; policy and governance; and culture and tourism.
The new leadership class began its journey this week with a session in Potosi, MO., to learn more about the region and how they can contribute to increasing community capacity across the Delta.
The fellows represent a diverse cohort of community leaders in local and state government, economic development, education and healthcare, business and industry, and faith-based and non-profit organizations. The class includes seven members from Alabama; eight from Arkansas; five from Illinois; five from Kentucky; seven from Louisiana; eight from Mississippi; four from Missouri; and seven from Tennessee.
The 2017-2018 DLI Executive Academy fellows are:
Alabama
- Greg Cochran of Montgomery | Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Alabama League of Municipalities
- Johnny Green of Auburn | Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Auburn University
- Quinton Harris of Tuskegee | Area Director for the USDA Rural Development
- Joseph Oglesby of Monroeville | Mayor of the City of Monroeville
- Kennard Randolph of Selma | Outreach Coordinator for U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell
- Steven Sigler of Fairhope | Area Director for the USDA Rural Development
- Brandy Wilkerson of Thomasville | Planning Director for the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission
Arkansas
- Len Blaylock of Warren | Executive Director of the Bradley County Economic Development Corporation
- Gregory Dale of Wynne | Southern Region Community Economic Development Coordinator for the USDA Rural Development
- Ben Gilmore of Crossett | Field Representative for U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
- Mark O’Mell of Marianna | Executive Director of the Crossroads Coalition
- Denver Peacock of Little Rock | Principal of The Peacock Group
- Carla Sparks of Little Rock | Rural Outreach Coordinator for Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Erica Tait of Jonesboro | Director of the Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Ateca Williams of Little Rock | Deputy Chief of Staff of Internal Operations for Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Illinois
- Tiffany George of Villa Ridge | Executive Director of the Southern Five Regional Planning District & Development Commission
- Tom Harness of Carterville | Owner of Harness Digital Marketing
- Jenny Pruitt of Broughton | District Aide for U.S. Rep. John Shimkus
- Karen Stallman of Ellis Grove | Director of Community Relations for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Mark York of Equality | Finance Chair for the Gallatin County Board
Kentucky
- Bill Bartleman of Paducah | Director of Special Projects for the West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative
- Ron Burkins of Henderson | Assistant Vice President-Western Kentucky for the Community Ventures Corporation
- Cynthia Elder of Fancy Farm | Director of Mayfield Graves Tourism Commission
- Brad Warning of Calvert City | Deputy Judge/Executive for the Marshall County Fiscal Court
- Angie Yu of Wickliffe | President of Two Rivers Fisheries
Louisiana
- David Cavell of Thibodaux | District Director for U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves
- Hunter Fife of Rayville | Manager-Ag Operations for Lamb Weston
- Donna Isaacs of Campti | Executive Director of Campti Field of Dreams, Inc.
- Lee Jones of Alexandria | Assistant to the State Director for the USDA Rural Development
- Makesha Judson of Baton Rouge | Chief Service Office for the City of Baton Rouge
- George Mack, Jr. of Ruston | Board Member on the Lincoln Parish School Board
- Ardyn Thriffiley of New Orleans | President of Ardyn M. Thriffiley & Associates, Inc.
Mississippi
- Eric Atchison of Jackson | Director of System Analysis, Research & Enrollment Management for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
- La Shon Brooks of Greenwood | Chief of Staff & Legislative Liaison for Mississippi Valley State University
- Jo Ann Clark of Ridgeland | Constituent Services Representative for U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran
- Jon Delperdang of Leland | Graduate Student at Delta State University
- Emanuel Edmond of Greenville | Chief Monitoring & Compliance Officer for the Delta Regional Authority
- Jean Gross of Vicksburg | Vice President/Community Development Coordinator at Trustmark National Bank
- Tray Hairston of Jackson | Attorney with Butler Snow LLP
- Bobby Morgan of Jackson | Economic Development Policy Advisor and Senate Liaison for Gov. Phil Bryant
Missouri
- Kelli Behrle of Perryville | Project Coordinator at the Southeast Missouri State University’s Economic and Business Engagement Center
- Trish Erzfeld of Perryville | Director of Perry County Heritage Tourism
- Jay Lancaster of Sikeston | Director of Public Works for the City of Sikeston
- Hillary Starnes of Dexter | Executive Director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development
Tennessee
- Gwyn Fisher of Memphis | Regional Director for the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
- Lindsay Frilling of Union City | Chief Executive Officer of Obion County Joint Economic Development Council
- Rob Goad of Martin | Project Management/Grant Writer for the Northwest Tennessee Development District
- Moses Goldmon of Jackson | Executive Vice President & Chaplain for Lane College
- Gwendolyn Kilpatrick of Mason | Mayor of Town of Mason
- Lori Nolen of Huntingdon | Executive Director of The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center
- Theresa Woodard of Cordova | Owner, TWMed Consulting, LLC
Fellows were selected by their respective governors and the DRA’s alternate federal co-chairman to participate in the leadership training program through a multi-step application and review process.
Since 2005, DLI has worked to strengthen the knowledge and skills of community leaders across the Delta by broadening their understanding of regional issues and building a corps of alumni that have a regional and national perspective. Upon graduation, the 51 new members will have a toolkit of resources for addressing issues facing their local communities and providing the training and professional development needed to extend the pipeline of skilled local leadership within Delta communities.
“Every new class is an opportunity for participants to share with each other their knowledge of the Delta region and what’s working in their communities,” said Spencer Lucker, DLI director. “This year’s leaders are exceptional in their respective fields, and we’re looking forward to helping them learn together, work together, and improve their communities throughout the Delta region."
DLI is a program of the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with three institutions of higher education from the DRA’s states: the University of Alabama, Arkansas State University-Jonesboro and the University of Louisiana Monroe.
About the Delta Regional Authority and the Delta Leadership InstituteThe DRA is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development and infrastructure projects in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. DRA has provided leadership development to nearly 500 community leaders over twelve years and strengthened regional collaboration through the Delta Leadership Institute. Learn more at www.dra.gov/leadership.
September 5, 2017
Now Accepting Letters of Interest for DLN Continuing Education at Harvard
With nearly 500 graduates and members of the Delta Leadership Network, our region has crucial assets in each of the Network's members who understand the importance of regional collaboration, resource sharing, and innovative thinking. One of the objectives of the Delta Leadership Network is to foster continued education for Delta leaders. In support of this objective, Delta Regional Authority and the Delta Leadership Institute are proud to offer the 3rd continuing education training opportunity at Harvard University exclusively to the Delta Leadership Network this coming Fall.
DLN members are invited to submit a letter of interest to participate in the Authentic Leadership executive education program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from Monday, November 27-Thursday, November 30, 2017 (DRAFT Schedule).
The program is designed and led by Harvard faculty and focuses on cutting edge leadership principles in the U.S. More information on Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education can be found at https://exed.hks.harvard.edu/.
A full briefing of the guidelines and expectations of this program is available here: Harvard Experience Guidelines. Please make sure to read this document fully.
Your letter of interest must include:
- A detailed report (no more than 250 words) of your involvement with the Delta Leadership Network and Delta Regional Authority since your graduation from the Executive Academy. Please include years you attended DLN Conferences and State Dinners;
- A short narrative (no more than 250 words) on how DLI has influenced your professional life and your expected use of the Authentic Leadership training that you can take back to your community;
- and An updated resume.
Letters of interest will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Monday, September 25. Letters of interest and attachments should be submitted via email to Andrea Allen at anallen@astate.edu. Meals, lodging, and tuition will be provided while at Harvard. Accepted participants will be responsible for round trip airfare expenses to the Boston area and transportation to and from the hotel and the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Please direct any questions to Spencer Lucker (slucker@dra.gov) or Andrea Allen (anallen@astate.edu).
August 4, 2017
Delta Leadership Institute builds capacity across the region
LAKE BARKLEY, Ky. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today celebrates 49 new graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) who will collaborate with DRA’s leadership team to continue helping create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.
The 49 graduates have completed the year-long DLI Executive Academy, a training program that brings together business and community leaders from each of the eight states served by DRA to gain the tools, experiences, and networks that will help them enhance economic opportunities in their communities as well as boost our regional economy.
The graduates have participated in seven workshops over the past year to help them understand the economic development needs of the Delta region and build a collaborative leadership experience that emphasizes a regional approach to growing local economies and creating opportunities for the 10 million residents of the Delta region. DLI fellows learn from local, regional and national experts in infrastructure and transportation, small business and entrepreneurship, workforce training, and other economic development fields, experiencing what is working to boost economies in the Delta region.
“Our DLI graduates will make lasting contributions to their communities and the Delta region as a whole,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, States’ Co-Chairwoman for DRA. “Through the program DLI graduates have developed a rich network of resources, experiences, and colleagues that increase their capacity to go help move their communities forward. They have received field experience in all eight states served by DRA, which has given them a full appreciation of the challenges and opportunities our region faces.”
A full list of the 2016-17 graduates of the DLI Executive Academy can be found here.
Since 2005 DLI's Executive Academy has enhanced the leadership skills, policy knowledge, and networks of community members in the Delta region. After graduation, DLI graduates become members of the Delta Leadership Network, which now includes nearly 500 members who understand the importance of regional collaboration, resource sharing, and innovative thinking.
DLI is a program of the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with three institutions of higher education from within the DRA footprint: The University of Alabama, Arkansas State University-Jonesboro and The University of Louisiana Monroe.
May 18, 2017
Delta Leadership Institute opens application cycle for 2017-2018 Executive Academy
CLARKSDALE, Miss. — The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today opened its application cycle for the 2017-2018 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy. Since 2005, the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) has selected a diverse group of community leaders across the Delta who are dedicated to improving their communities.
The application for the 2017-2018 Executive Academy is available now online and will be accepted until July 14, 2017. Interested applicants can learn more about the program and begin the application at dra.gov/leadership.
“The Executive Academy is one of DRA’s strongest programs to help communities advance economically and address some of the toughest structural challenges we see in the Delta,” DRA Chairman Chris Masingill said. “This program trains community leaders to identify regional solutions through collaborative partnerships with colleagues across the Delta region so that our local communities can compete nationally and globally.”
DRA developed the Institute in 2005 to continually develop Delta leaders committed to helping create jobs, build their local communities and improve the lives of residents. DLI provides professional leadership and policy training on issues that advance the growth and development of Delta communities. Participants explore strategies that help communities and economies grow, and are exposed to a network with opportunities to share best practices, collaborate and exchange information with each other.
DLI fellows attend six sessions over nine months, traveling to communities in each of DRA’s eight states. Fellows will learn from existing programs and community models, case study discussions, and grassroots organizing and community engagement techniques. Field experiences focus on priority issues for improving the region, including infrastructure development, workforce training and education, entrepreneurship, disaster resilience, public health, and creative placemaking.
Upon graduation, DLI fellows become members of the Delta Leadership Network (DLN), which gives them opportunities to engage in continued learning, information sharing, and collaboration at regional levels within their state and across the Delta region.
2017-2018 Schedule
Orientation: October 23-27 | Potosi, MO
Session II: December 4-8 | Memphis, TN/Clarksdale, MS
Session III : February 26-March 2 | New Orleans, LA
Session IV: April 23-27 | Selma, AL
Session V: June 4-8 | Jonesboro, AR
Graduation: July 23-27 | Paducah, KY/Carbondale, IL
*All dates represent the week the session will be held, but the class will only meet for 3-4 days during that week.
About the Delta Leadership Institute
The Delta Leadership Institute is a program of the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with the University of Alabama, Arkansas State University, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Through its Executive Academy, DLI has provided leadership development to 500 community leaders over twelve years and strengthened skills development, information sharing, and regional collaboration. DLI maintains an environment for continued education and engagement for its alumni through the Delta Leadership Network. Learn more at dra.gov/leadership.
