Wenatchee Valley College invites the community to celebrate the faculty and staff graduating from the inaugural Leadership Development Academy on Friday, June 5 at 1 p.m. in the Music and Art Center’s Grove Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public.
Graduates will give group presentations at 1 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony starting at 2 p.m. The awards ceremony will include a special presentation on “Why Leadership Development Matters: Purpose and Value” by WVC President Faimous Harrison and remarks by Dr. Chris Bailey, lead facilitator of the Leadership Development Academy. Following the awards celebration, the event will conclude with a social hour at 3 p.m.
WVC’s Leadership Development Academy was launched in the fall of 2025 and equips faculty and staff to become empowered leaders through cross-department collaboration and shared learning experiences. The program was designed to strengthen participants’ leadership skills through relationship-building, service projects, self-reflection, and applied learning.
As the inaugural leadership cohort, the nine-month program fostered a deeper understanding of faculty and staff’s contributions to student success across the college, as members represented departments from Information Technology to Agriculture faculty. The academy aligns with President Faimous Harrison’s vision of developing people, building culture, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders today.
The leadership program reflects WVC’s commitment to investing in its employees through professional development opportunities so that the college can better serve students and communities throughout North Central Washington and across the state.
Graduates of the Leadership Development Academy are: Jenna Floyd, Student Access manager; Beatriz Garibay-Vega, CAMP outreach and recruitment specialist; Wendy Glenn, IT data consultant; Jennifer Hadersberger, Institutional Effectiveness interim director; Jeannie Henkle, Libraries and Learning Support Services director; Micky Jennings, Machining and Welding faculty; Zach Johnson, Concurrent Enrollment navigator; Rosana Linarez, MESA director; Heather Maddy, Administrative Services executive assistant; Luis Martinez Rocha, Financial Aid program specialist; Aracely Mendoza, Concurrent Enrollment director; Shea Morgan; IT customer support-senior; Lorelei Navarro, Human Resources consultant assistant; Jose Rios-Gutierrez, student navigator; Nelson Rojas, TRIO Student Support Services director; Francisco (Frank) Sarmiento-Torres, Agriculture faculty and program coordinator; Dr. Branwen Schaub, Math faculty; Saxon Spillman, Humanities adjunct faculty; and Erin Williams, Facilities and Operations program manager.
“I am excited to invite our wider community to celebrate the first Leadership Development Academy cohort as they graduate from this program. This initiative is an incredible opportunity for WVC to equip our faculty and staff with the tools they need to be successful leaders for our students and our wider community,” Dr. Harrison shared.
This year’s leadership academy was facilitated by Dr. Chris Bailey, an educational consultant, and former president of Lower Columbia College. Dr. Bailey has extensive experience in higher education and has served in key leadership roles within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) for the past twenty years. He is dedicated to preparing future leaders in the community and technical college system and has conducted Leadership Development Cohorts across the state.
About Wenatchee Valley College
Founded in 1939, Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington and delivers relevant, innovative, and experiential educational opportunities for thriving and healthy communities. Learn more at www.wvc.edu.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. Learn more at www.wvc.edu/publicdisclosure.
Published May 27, 2026
Media Contacts:
Marcine Miller, Executive Director, Public Information Office, 509-682-6582, mmiller2@wvc.edu