Ohio University vice president, instructor named to AKA's Executive Leadership Academy

Ohio University Vice President for Diversity Inclusion Dr. Gigi Secuban and Dr. Shantelle K. Jenkins, assistant vice president for graduate and professional studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and instructor in Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, were named to the inaugural cohort of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority’s inaugural Executive Leadership Academy.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University as the first historically black sorority in the country, designed its Executive Leadership Academy to equip participants, members who serve in various senior-level roles, for success. With over 300,000 members within the sorority, only 25 have been named to the 2021 Executive Leadership Academy.

“Being selected to the Executive Leadership Academy has been a humbling experience. I am honored to be part of this inaugural group of leaders,” Secuban said. “I look forward to sharing and utilizing the knowledge and skills I gained as a result of participating in this once-in-a-lifetime experience in my work here at OHIO as well as continuing to contribute to the national organization more broadly.”

“This academy experience will propel the advancement of my professional career and leadership trajectory within the sorority. I have a unique opportunity learn from women in leadership that could truly help me identify additional pathways of success,” Jenkins said. “My mother is also a member and AKA has been an important service organization to me for as long as I can remember. Family ties to AKA has made this honor even more meaningful. I am humbled that I was chosen through what I understand was a rigorous selection process. I am truly blessed.”

The inaugural Executive Leadership Academy, held in Chicago from Oct. 13-15. The Academy selected industry experts in order to help members further their skills in corporate boardrooms and C-suites. Academy participants also had an opportunity to learn from sorority leadership and visit the national corporate office for the organization, located in Chicago. 

For more information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, visit https://aka1908.com/.