Four staff members of Student Affairs were part of the inaugural cohort of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management’s Aspire Program: Emily Aiello, Event and Conference Services, as well as Candida Williams, Patrice Marshall, and Crystal Knight from Retriever Integrated Health. 

Aspire, launched in September 2025, is a semester-long program that provides aspiring leaders – individuals who are not currently supervising staff – with the essential professional competencies and interpersonal skills needed to effectively lead in the future. The cohort-based experience is delivered through a mix of engaging in-person instruction and team coaching. It's a unique opportunity open to all non-supervisory employees past their probationary period who are eager to take the first step on their leadership journey.

"The ASPIRE program not only taught me about my personal strengths and potential as a leader here, but in connecting me with other colleagues across campus gave me a support group to lean on to reach my goals," said Aiello, "It was also just nice to have a room full of people from across campus with similar goals to me that are also navigating changes in university leadership and and staffing, as well as policies. The support in that room was unmatched. I highly recommend anyone and everyone participate in the program."