The Heidi Samprone Women's Leadership Luncheon impacts students for life

T welve female student-athletes attended the Heidi Samprone Women’s Athletics Leadership Luncheon in February. They heard from top women administrators at Georgia College and learned what it takes to grow as a leader. 

Student-athletes and Georgia College leaders are: (lower left) Dr. Holley Roberts, associate provost for Academic Affairs and director of the Graduate School, (upper left) Jamie Grodecki, assistant athletic director, leadership/senior woman administrator/head softball coach/deputy Title IX coordinator for Athletics, (lower right) Cathy Cox, J.D., president, Georgia College and (upper right) Dr. Sheri Noviello, dean and professor, College of Health Sciences.
Student-athletes and Georgia College leaders are: (lower left) Dr. Holley Roberts, associate provost for Academic Affairs and director of the Graduate School, (upper left) Jamie Grodecki, assistant athletic director, leadership/senior woman administrator/head softball coach/deputy Title IX coordinator for Athletics, (lower right) Cathy Cox, J.D., president, Georgia College and (upper right) Dr. Sheri Noviello, dean and professor, College of Health Sciences.

Dr. Sheri Noviello, dean of the College of Health Sciences described the volatility of health care and what it takes to be a leader.

“You don't have to be in a position of authority to be a leader,” she said. “I truly believe that each one of you—sooner or later—must ask yourself, ‘Where am I leading others? Where are they going?’”

Noviello transitioned from a trauma nurse to an administrator. She learned some lessons from being a nurse that she applies in her role today. Noviello cited what nurses do with each patient: They assess, plan, implement and evaluate the plan. She encouraged students to apply this regimen to a future leadership position and life experiences.

“In a leadership role, you often have to learn how to prioritize quickly and do the right thing,” she said. “Oftentimes, we want to just turn our head and say, ‘I don't have time to deal with that.’ But at the end of the day, I have to lay my head down on my pillow and know I did the right thing.” 

GC President Cathy Cox listens to a student-athlete during a roundtable discussion at the luncheon.
GC President Cathy Cox listens to a student-athlete during a roundtable discussion at the luncheon.

Dr. Holley Roberts, associate provost for Academic Affairs and director of the Graduate School, stressed the importance of perseverance and patience. She took the student-athletes through her journey of teaching, and informed them how important it is to say “yes” to career and learning opportunities. Roberts climbed the ranks from elementary school teacher to administrator to Georgia College faculty member to associate provost and director.

“I just kept doing the work and really embracing what I was passionate about,” she said. “By saying ‘yes,’ I got these opportunities that’ve now led to a larger leadership position at Georgia College where my impact is stronger.”

She spoke about the importance of relationship and building up others.

“Make sure you lift each other up,” Roberts said. “I think that's an area where we fall short sometimes.”

She stressed to use that opportunity to open the door for other female leaders and those who they will mentor.

“I think the best attributes you can have as a leader are communicating often and having empathy and compassion,” Roberts said. “Then, be an advocate for someone, willing to put action into what you believe, not for yourself, but for someone else. Tie in these opportunities, because they will build up to something that you never even dreamed of.” 

“As a nurse, no matter what my position is or what department I’m in, I can provide leadership qualities that are essential parts of a team to function and work efficiently. Good teamwork leads to better patient care, and that all starts with how the team is led.”
– Emma Fleming

Georgia College President Cathy Cox closed the luncheon by challenging attendees to take risks in search of their profession.

“Research shows that men will typically apply for a job if they've got about 60 percent of the qualifications. But women will rule themselves out if they don't have 100 percent of the qualifications,” she said. “So, guess who gets most of the jobs? The men.”

She hopes they’ll take the experience they’ve had as student-athletes and go forward in their careers weighing the risks against the benefits.

“I might not be fully qualified, but I can take that pitch. I can make this layup. I'm ready for that next jump ball. And I will put myself out there and not limit myself with the enormous opportunities I’m going to have in life,” Cox said.

“Those kinds of risks opened a lot of doors for me in life and gave me enriching life experiences that I never would have expected because I said ‘yes’ to an opportunity or experience that was off-the-wall to a lot of other people,” Cox said. “I hope that you will do the same. I'm proud of the way you represent Georgia College and I look forward to following all of your successes.” 

Student-athletes are (left to right): Emma Fleming, Cassie Markle and Harper Vick.
Student-athletes are (left to right): Emma Fleming, Cassie Markle and Harper Vick.

Senior Emma Fleming (tennis), learned from the luncheon not to fear failing. She also was intrigued by knowing when to say “yes” to a good opportunity.

“Oftentimes, we don’t want to take the risk of an opportunity that’s been handed to us because of the thought of failing,” she said. “I was really encouraged by these women’s personal experiences with taking opportunities. Although, some led to failure, some led to success. I learned to not be afraid to take the risk.” 

What also stood out to Fleming is you don’t have to be in a leadership position to be a leader.

“Being invited to this luncheon means that there’s value in women being in leadership positions, and there’s a focus on molding young women to move into leadership. This is a huge honor because I aspire to be one of those women.”
– Cassie Markle

“As a nurse, no matter what my position is or what department I’m in, I can provide leadership qualities that are essential parts of a team to function and work efficiently,” she said. “Good teamwork leads to better patient care, and that all starts with how the team is led.”

Senior Cassidy “Cassie” Markle (basketball), aspires to become an athletic trainer and practice leadership skills in this role.

“Being invited to this luncheon means that there’s value in women being in leadership positions, and there’s a focus on molding young women to move into leadership,” Markle said. “This is a huge honor because I aspire to be one of those women.”

Because of what she learned from the speakers; she won’t be afraid to land the job she wants or go after the goals she set for herself.

“The message that stood out to me was taking risks, because you never know what doors might open for you,” said Markle. “Even if you fail in taking that risk, it might help with another opportunity you didn’t know you needed.”

Senior Harper Vick (basketball) thought all the messages were amazing. However, like Fleming and Markle, Vick doesn’t want to limit herself from anything due to a fear of failing. 

“I am honored to have attended this luncheon. I want to follow in the speakers’ footsteps as I leave Georgia College and embark into the real world.”
– Harper Vick

“I’ve failed multiple times in my athletic career, but I’ve picked myself back up and overcome them,” she said. “I need to take the same mindset into the real world. I do not want to limit myself in job promotions or opportunities from fear of failure. The worst that will happen is I will not get the job. Therefore, I want to push myself and strive for everything I desire.”

Vick feels she’ll be able to apply many aspects the speakers shared, like communication, to her career as a physical therapist.

“I’ll treat my patients, coworkers and superiors as I would like to be treated,” she said. “I will persevere through difficulties on the job and not give up when it gets hard. I will not limit myself in applying for jobs or promotions due to fear of not getting them. I will speak up and have difficult conversations when needed, but I will also approach the situation in the correct way.”

Vick believes there should be more women in leadership roles.

“I am honored to have attended this luncheon,” she said. “I want to follow in the speakers’ footsteps as I leave Georgia College and embark into the real world.”