West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX, on April 19 announced the formation of a new Rural Community Leaders Fellowship. The fellowship was created the university professors, Drs. Brad Johnson and Shanna Peeples to identify and recognize particularly talented and service-oriented rural leaders after their dedication and effectiveness has been proven in the field. This is part of the educational leadership doctoral program.

According to a press release from West Texas A&M, an appointment gives educators the opportunity to pass on their hard-won wisdom to the next generation of rural leaders through collaboration with doctoral students and other fellows. This professional partnership will deepen the understanding of the doctoral faculty regarding rural communities, says Johnson, a clinical professor of education. 

“Our doctoral students will benefit from the powerful combination of wisdom from our Fellows and cutting-edge research.” Johnson adds, “We believe that this innovative synthesis is the key to unlocking the full potential of the next generation of leaders for our rural communities,” Johnson said. “The RCL Fellowship provides a means to pass the lessons learned in the field directly to the next generation of rural leaders.” 

The inaugural class of fellows is: 

• Dr. Reginald T. Eggleston, superintendent of Geary County Schools Unified School District 475 in Junction City, KS 
• Adán Estrada, superintendent of Cimarron Municipal Schools in New Mexico; 
• Dr. Jud Hicks, retired president of Frank Phillips College in Borger, TX; 
• Joy Hofmeister, retired Oklahoma state superintendent of public instruction;  
• Dr. Bill Holda, executive search consultant for Association of Community College Trustees; 
• Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, president of Mojave Community College in Kingman, AZ; 
• Dr. Tanya Larkin, Region 16 Education Service Center executive director, Pampa, TX; 
• Dr. Linda Lujan, president emeritus of Lamar Community College in Lamar, CO; 
• Dr. Scott R. Mickelsen, owner of New Heights Consulting in Lima, MT; and 
• Dr. John Skretta, Educational Service Unit 6 administrator in Milford, NE