Categories: LeadershipPublished On: June 18th, 2018

What is a community leader and why do we need them?

Community leaders take responsibility for the well-being and improvement of their community. A community with developed leaders is better prepared to take on challenges that arise due to economic shifts or barriers to services. Community leaders inspire others to dream big and empower them to make a difference.

The Maddox Leadership Institute (MLI), is a community leadership development program that improves individual leadership skills and connects people and organizations from throughout Lea County to work together to improve our community.

MLI is open to all residents in Lea County, our target audience is 27-59 years of age, although anyone is welcome to apply. Through nine interactive modules, participants learn about their community, its assets, opportunities for growth and development, and increase their knowledge, skills, and attitudes about leadership. The program is facilitated by faculty from the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development out of the University of Georgia.

In April of 2018, the first cohort of MLI graduated. The inaugural cohort had 29 participants that represented three Lea County communities: Lovington, Hobbs, and Eunice. We were extremely proud and excited that we had a 100% graduation rate for the first class. This was an outstanding group of existing and emerging community leaders. We are encouraged by their hard work and eager to see how they cultivate possibilities in the years to come.

The second year cohort was recruited from April to May 2018 and participant selections have been made. The 2018-2019 MLI will run from August 2018 to April 2019. For more information on the program and how to apply see the Leadership link on our website or contact Mayra Lovas at mlovas@jfmaddox.org or 575-393-6338 ext. 40.