Elevating Leadership: Insights from Southwest’s Seventh Annual Leadership Retreat
By Diana Fedinec
Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Leadership Retreat on July 10 at Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis highlighted the unique role Southwest plays in the higher education ecosystem and the critical need for adaptive leadership in challenging times.
Opening the seventh annual leadership retreat, President Tracy D. Hall emphasized, “We are not like 4-year colleges; we have a unique purpose and vision to educate our local community and provide the engine for our workforce, addressing the social issues that impact our community. Our mission extends beyond the classroom. We are a ministry of education, deeply embedded in our local community.” This mission demands that Southwest remain aware and responsive to the needs of its surrounding community.
“Our mission extends beyond the classroom,” – President Tracy D. Hall
The retreat underscored an equally important aspect of the college’s mission: fostering a strong internal community. It is essential that leaders and staff work together cohesively, especially when challenges arise. This unity ensures that the college can make well-informed decisions.
President Tracy D. Hall (middle) with members of Southwest’s senior leadership.
The retreat came at a time when Southwest’s unity was tested and on full display during an unprecedented challenge in the college’s history—namely, the discovery of a cyber incident on July 5. The incident disrupted college operations and called for immediate and decisive action. Chief of Administrative Services, Michel Boyd, and members of his cyber forensics team, were present for the retreat and provided a detailed update on the situation. They walked attendees through the timeline of the incident, the ongoing investigation, and the steps being taken to restore normalcy to the college.
Drawing parallels to the college’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Hall reminded participants of their ability to pivot and adapt. Just as the college established a COVID-19 crisis team and navigated a 17-month period of uncertainty, Hall called upon everyone to address this new crisis with the same agility and innovation. As educators and leaders, she said, “We must continuously learn, adapt, and lead through adversity.”
“Leadership is the exhibition of progress.” – Ekundayo Bandele
Ekundayo Bendele delivers his keynote speech
inside Hattiloo Theatre which he founded in 2006.
Keynote speaker Ekundayo Bandele, founder of Hattiloo Theatre, shared his personal journey and insights on leadership. Drawing from an African story whose main character learned an important lesson from a wise shaman, Bandele illustrated that leadership is not just about guiding others but also about evolving the mission to meet changing times. He challenged the leaders to reflect on whether they lead because the mission requires it or because the mission must evolve to remain relevant. “Leadership is the exhibition of progress,” Bandele said. “And progress is not doing the same things in the same way because it’s comfortable. It is doing a different something in a different way, no matter the discomfort or challenge. Do you lead because such a charge is required for your college to obtain its mission, or do you lead because the mission must evolve to keep up with the times?”
Bandele and his team at Hattiloo, organized activities reinforcing the importance of understanding the college's mission and working together toward a shared vision. In reference to Dr. Hall’s vision for the college, Bandele said, “We are traveling the same path, finding out her vision and the mission that will carry us forward with our students, co-workers, and community-at-large."
Dr. Hall concluded the retreat emphasizing the need for innovation, adaptability, and a unified vision to navigate challenges and ensure the college’s mission continues to serve its purpose.