We are committed to Athens County, OH.
leadership athens county
Flagship Program
Over a 9-month course, LAC participants are challenged to question their understanding of Athens’ economic, political, social, and cultural landscape through discussions of current issues and conversations with community leaders. They learn about a complex array of topics including poverty, food insecurity, regional employment, economic development, housing, transportation, arts and culture, history, health care options, behavioral health, prisons, natural resources, and education – all while making important personal and professional connections.
Many of our 300-plus alumni still live and work in Athens County and - importantly - they call on each other (and us) to help solve problems, brainstorm new ideas, and feel connected to their community. These relationships and shared experiences provide fuel for future partnerships and co-creations.
The goals and objectives for Leadership Athens County are to:
- Build relationships, connections, and community
- Help guide participants to a deeper understanding of their strengths and priorities for engagement
- Share Athens County’s assets and challenges, and encourage creative problem solving
- Share knowledge, resources, and challenges in the spirit of creating an informed, connected web of community leaders
By participating in LAC, you will:
- Build your personal and professional network with other leaders in Athens County
- Know more about the assets, opportunities, and challenges in our community
- Learn about leadership: Your style and strengths, and about models and skills you can build
- Prepare for leadership opportunities in our community
- Deepen your connection to Athens County
Applications are now open for Flagship 2026!
Our Curriculum
Co-Created
rom the retreat in September through graduation in May, participants engage in challenges to develop their individual strengths. Self-assessment and reflection are part of this process. Importantly, participants also engage with one another to co-create leadership development. Utilizing team challenges and feedback exercises, the participants help each other recognize and embrace their best qualities.
Connected
If it is all about who you know, LAC participants clearly have the advantage. The class increases participants’ networks in three distinct ways.
Second, the class enjoys introductions to current community leaders throughout the county. Industry experts, business leaders, public officials, elected representatives, social watchdogs, academic thinkers, and many more lead the class in discussions about the resources and challenges in Athens County.
Third, the connections continue to grow after graduation with the Leadership Athens County Alumni Network. The alumni network creates opportunities for ongoing networking, collaboration, and support.
Educated
One comment we hear is, “I’ve lived in Athens all of my life, and I had no idea that this was going on!” This curriculum takes participants out of their own daily lives. It exposes them to innovative people and remarkable places in their own backyard. The county is our classroom. We travel to various locations throughout Athens County to discuss issues, tour facilities and meet with leaders on their turf.
Engaged
A phrase we often hear is, “so what are we going to do about this?” It is not unusual to see participants exchanging contact information with the speaker for collaboration. There is an amazing synergy created when leaders meet face to face to share their knowledge, resources, and challenges with each other in the spirit of creating a better community.
Leadership
mission | We build on the strengths of our community, advancing participation and collaboration to address longstanding challenges and pursue extraordinary opportunities.
vision | Everyone in Athens County is engaged and working together to ensure a healthy, inclusive, thriving community for all.
