Menominee Principal continues to develop leadership skills

(l-r) Teachers Hillary Hopple and Geoff Scarberry with Principal Michael Dunn sign along with fourth graders from Menominee School. The teachers and students participated in the rededication of the Chief Menominee statue.  They sang and signed to ‘Holding the Hoop’ under the direction of Michele Schricker.

PLYMOUTH—Michael Dunn, principal of Menominee School, credits his participation in Leadership Marshall County with much of his success. He admits a friend recommended it since he was new to Plymouth, moving here from the LaPorte area in 2008.

“I was totally unaware of the wonderful opportunities our community has to offer. LMC doesn’t open doors for people, but rather opens our eyes. It is from that perspective that I have been able to see my vision of my organization grow as well as help to develop a vision for future leaders within our county,” he commented as part of Class XIII. “It was the best thing I could have ever done being in the leadership role.”

Because of LMC, he concedes he has been able to be a positive change in the community. He has gotten involved with the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, where he now serves as Vice-President of the board as well as being the recently appointed co-chair of the LMC Board.

“As I further my own education in obtaining my superintendent's license and eventual doctorate, LMC is helping me to move forward in building those credentials,” he said.

He has been pursuing educational degrees at Indiana Wesleyan University’s School of Education, recently completing their Educational Specialist Degree Program. He hopes to continue in January to complete a doctorate in organizational leadership. The program “affords an opportunity to lead and be a facilitator of change in major institutions from corporations to universities,” he explained.

Leadership Marshall County is a nine-month program designed to educate future leaders of Marshall County. This program was designed to identify, motivate, and develop community leaders through education and skills development, involving sessions taught by currently established leaders in Marshall County government, agriculture, education, economic development, arts, tourism, health and human services and criminal justice.

Dunn found the health and human services session most intriguing where participants were afforded an opportunity to learn about local community services and “all the things we can provide to others”.

Individuals interested in attending Leadership Marshall County may contact the Marshall County Community Foundation office at 574-935-5159 or visit the website atwww.marshallcountylmc.org for an application.