By John C. Burkhardt (KNFP-10)
While sometimes anyone of us can occasionally find ourselves out on a limb, I seldom feel entirely alone in the work I do. Many times, I have Kellogg Fellows to thank for that.
If it is a challenge related to undocumented students and their fair treatment, I can always rely on Jaime Chahin (KNFP-13) or Leslye Orloff (KNFP-14). If I need advice on how to work more effectively with a colleague, Dan Mulhern (KNFP-14) is often helpful. If my spirit needs lifting, there is Eva Moya (KNFP-13) or Reggie Nichols (KILP-02); and if my ego needs trimming....well there are many fellows quite capable in helping me with that too!
It just seems that whenever one of us is "called to action" that there are others who can be there with us. Sometimes the help is given through advice, collaboration or encouragement. Sometimes the help comes from someone who challenges our assumptions or tells us to revisit our limitations.
When one of us is called, the answer can be resounding.
Not long ago, a Kellogg Fellow colleague and I were discussing the topic of courage as an increasingly rare attribute of leaders, especially those who find themselves in hotly contentious circumstances. I knew from our previous time together that he had not only served as a policeman, union official and leader of a non-profit association, he also had battled back from a terrible health challenge. When he spoke of courage, I felt he knew what it meant.
I compared his stories to those of Betty Overton (KNFP-09) and Kent Wong (KNFP-10), two individuals with whom I work closely on social justice initiatives. Each of them, and the many other fellows who have become my allies and friends in so many shared efforts, all seem to have experienced times of trial, times when they have come under attack, and times of personal doubt.
Every one of us seems to have worked out an approach to deal with the public bombardment and the private pressures that come from attempting change in big, heavily guarded systems.
This has been one of the most important and valued legacies of our fellowship programs.
In this spirit, when you are given a call to action by a Kellogg Fellow, like those you’ll find in this newsletter, remember — you are not alone.
Over the past year, I have used the Kellogg Fellows network to bring over 50 fellows to five events, where they have been thought partners in framing policy to tackle complex issues of health, equity, justice, and education. Our network has tremendous resources to address today’s challenges — I invite you to join me in bringing the power of collaborative partnerships with Kellogg Fellows to bear on your work and your communities.
Cordially,
John C. Burkhardt
KFLA Board Member
Director, National Center for Institutional Diversity
Professor of Clinical Practice, Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education
In conjunction with the Global Networks Forum on Advancing Women’s Leadership, KFLA is hosting a roundtable discussion with Kellogg Fellow Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.
You're invited to join us via our free global livestream! Ready to join? Want to host a watch party with other fellows? Find out more »
Cuba in Changing Times, July 2016
Havana, Cuba | Join KFLA, in partnership with trip leader Evelyn Hu-DeHart (KNFP-05), for an experiential and educational, 9-day journey to Cuba.
Call to Action programs unite Fellows around a specific issue, provide opportunities for intense learning and dialogue, and launch action-driven collaborative initiatives.
The 2016 Call to Action programs will be around the following themes:
Volunteers: We are looking for Fellows to volunteer their time and expertise on planning committees for these programs. Please email martha@kfla.org for details.
A year ago we asked you: is it time for another Forum? A resounding 221 of you responded “Yes!” and told us what would make great Forum 2016.
Today we are pleased to announce that, with your input, and in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s innovative focus on Putting Children First, we are convening Kellogg Fellows for Forum 2016 this coming fall in Denver.
Oaxaca, Mexico | KFLA, in partnership with Expeditions Sierra Norte, invites you to the Zapotec communities to learn the process of responsible use of natural resources and forest conservation. Dates TBD
Our thanks to Dr. George Pruitt, President of the Thomas Edison State College for co-hosting a reception for U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams, Class KNFP-11. Congresswoman Adams was sworn into office on November 12, 2014, becoming the 100th woman in the 113th Congress.
Do you write for a blog? Would you like to share your ideas with other Kellogg Fellows?
Send an email to info@kfla.org with the link and a brief description of your existing blog to be featured on the Kellogg Fellows Community just like the ones below:
What themes/topics would you like to see in the KFLA blog? Send an email to patricia@kfla.org if you would like to write an article for the network.