The Academy of the Holy Angels’ inaugural “Invitation to Leadership as Gift” seminar drew to a close this month. During the final session, Sister Kathleen Cornell, SSND, asked her students to reflect on their leadership styles.
Each young woman considered whether she sees herself as a creative and artistic leader, an uncomfortably honest person who disturbs old patterns, a nurturer who brings out the best in others, a sparkplug who gets people moving, a manager who organizes and harnesses other people’s energy, or a friend and companion who respects the integrity of others’ journeys.
S. Kathleen and AHA Academic Dean Francesca Tambone-Puzio presented each student with a certificate noting their successful completion of this special offering.
The young women responded by presenting S. Kathleen with tokens of their esteem, including a bouquet of flowers, and heartfelt hugs.
AHA students who completed this seminar include Carmela Alessio of Belleville; Hanga Antal of River Edge; Caitlin Brannigan of Hillsdale; Zeida Ben-Fredj and Darynne Madison Dela Gente of Bergenfield; Julia Fernandez, Daniella Nahan, and Janella Osbourne of Teaneck; Mary Flahive of Harrington Park; Kaitlyn Grifonetti of Old Tappan; Brooke Hess of Cedar Grove; Ria Jani of Haworth; Cameryn Lindsay of Englewood; Antonia Mysliwiec of Cliffside Park; Danielle Patti of Englewood Cliffs; and Julie Rubino of Nutley.
Throughout her life, S. Kathleen has been leading others as a teacher, principal, college administrator and faculty member, and as leader of the SSND’s Atlantic-Midwest Province.
At AHA, she encouraged her students to discover who they are and how they want to be as leaders.
Seminar participants explored belief systems, decision-making, collaboration, and the importance of listening.
They also learned to set goals, develop a meeting agenda, encourage dialogue, and assess progress.
The seminar was offered in Kelleher Hall’s SSND Heritage Room during community time, a 70-minute flexible period that is part of AHA’s new schedule.