About Us

The Delta Leadership Institute is sponsored by the Delta Regional Authority for the purpose of uniting, educating and mobilizing leaders to solve the region’s most pressing challenges. DLI addresses problems specific to our area with solutions that incorporate community and collaboration. Teams work together to provide the energy and initiative to transform the Delta region and to improve the quality of life for our friends and neighbors.

Overview

The Institute began in 2005 to address issues of poverty, unemployment, education and economic development. Communities in the areas represented by the Delta Leadership Institute commonly lack the community resources, infrastructure and specialized experience necessary to reverse the trends and affect lasting change.

The Delta Leadership Institute is designed to improve the decisions leaders make across the region. Each of the governors represented by the program nominates community leaders to participate in the Institute for one year. Beyond their formal participation in the program, the members of the DLI cohort continue to partner and collaborate long after graduation. In fact, these leaders are encouraged to go back to their communities to provide collaborative partnerships with other regional leaders so that they can expand their influence and impact.

A Message From Chris Masingill

Chris Masingill
Federal Co-Chairman
Delta Regional Authority

Welcome to the official website of the Delta Regional Authority's Delta Leadership Institute.Our goal is to create a corps of leaders across the 252 counties and parishes we serve. These Delta residents will have strong leadership abilities and a regional perspective. Far too much of our region is characterized by high poverty, high unemployment levels, low educational attainment, a loss of skilled labor and a general lack of hope.

We must ensure that communities in the eight states we serve have the civic infrastructure, organizations and knowledge base necessary for economic growth. Even those in leadership positions often do not understand how good governance, quality infrastructure, great schools and first-class health care can work together to spur and then sustain growth.

Too often as I travel across our region, I see a lack of investment in leadership development and strategic planning. This leadership void, in turn, leads to a lack of direction. Communities never decide on their priorities. With no leadership, vision or plans for growth, these communities will continue to struggle.

At the Delta Regional Authority, we're trying to do our part to change this cycle. During the next several years, the Delta Leadership Institute will develop a corps of leaders with a regional perspective. These will be leaders who hopefully will stay in touch with each other, sharing best practices and solutions to common problems. My hope is that many of the graduates of the Delta Ledership Institute will go back to their communities and help lead local leadership programs, multiplying the number of people in the region who receive leadership training.

Thank you for your interest in the Delta Leadership Institute.

A Message From Dean Carolyn Dahl

Dean Carolyn Dahl
University of Alabama
College of Continuing Studies

On behalf of the Delta Regional Authority and The University of Alabama, College of Continuing Studies, welcome to the Delta Leadership Institute website. This Institute is sponsored by the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies.

About The Delta Leadership Institute

The Delta Leadership Institute provides a year-long leadership development program for regional leaders desiring to prepare themselves for the challenges of the 21st Century. The purpose of the Delta Leadership Institute is to prepare these leaders to collaborate regionally to lead change. Participants work in teams to solve “real-world” problems faced by regional leaders. The Institute features a variety of lectures, seminars, and workshops, and centers on three curricular themes. The Institute activities consist of multiple sessions held at various locations throughout the Delta Region. As part of the Institute, participants learn from nationally recognized presenters, experts in the Delta region, and The University of Alabama faculty members and administrators.

Core Curriculum

Understanding the Delta Region and Its Challenges Thinking /Acting Regionally
* Regional Demographics

Issue(s) Engagement Health Care
* Information Technology
* Transportation
* Education
* Public Policy
* Infrastructure

Leadership Contemporary Models
* Leading Change
* Embracing Diversity
* Team Building
* Problem Solving
* Building Collaboration
* Mediated Communication
* Public Speaking

For Further Information

To find out more about the Delta Leadership Institute please contact us. You can reach us via email, calling us at (205) 348-6222 or at:

Professional Development & Conference Services
College of Continuing Studies
The University of Alabama
Box 870388
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0388