Peninsula Bank makes $5,000 gift to Academy for Leadership in Education at Salisbury University

SALISBURY, MD ---Peninsula Bank recently made a gift of $5,000 to the Academy for Leadership in Education at Salisbury University.

Jeffrey Turner, president and CEO of Peninsula Bank, said, "This investment in the future leadership of our public schools is one that even a cautious banker can guarantee will yield a positive return for our community. Peninsula Bank is excited about being a partner with the Academy and with Salisbury University."

"The intent of the Academy," said Dr. Gerri Rossi, a member of the education faculty in the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies at SU, "is to provide a perspective on leadership that is based on the models from business and industry as well as education. The emphasis is on developing individual leadership skills and a network of leadership teams."

The Academy was developed to attract and prepare experienced and aspiring educational leaders, who are recommended by their respective school superintendent, in a

two-year series of in-depth training session beginning with leadership and change, including instructional leadership. Many of the Academy participants will have already completed an advanced degree in educational leadership but need the opportunity to experience specialized training.

Upcoming Academy sessions feature Neil Dowling, director of human resources planning and development at Perdue Farms, Inc.; Dr. Darrell Mullins, chair or SU's Communications Department, presenting "Dealing with Difficult Situations" and "Communicating a Vision"; Dr. Joan Buffone, assistant superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, presenting "Adult Learning and Change Theory"; and Dr. Frank Shipper, SU Management and Marketing Department faculty member, presenting "What Effective Managers Do."

The Greater Salisbury Committee was instrumental in bringing together area school superintendents and SU officials to discuss the concept of the Academy. Business and industry have been involved in the planning and development of the Academy from its inception. The 53 participants enrolled in the inaugural class of the Academy are teachers or administrators in school districts from Dover, DE, to Tangier, VA.

For more information on the Academy for Leadership in Education, please call the SU Center for Professional Development at 410-543-6394.