Tech leader picked for Furman Riley initiative

Galen DeHay, Ph.D., president of Tri-County Technical College, joins leaders from across South Carolina to participate in the Diversity Leaders Initiative  While classes are typically sorted by state geographic region, the fall 2020 class is the first state-wide cohort. The  four-month program will be held virtually due to COVID-19, a pandemic that underscores the need for such a program, said Dr. Donald Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. “The extreme hardship brought on by the pandemic has exacerbated the existing social and economic divisions that we address through our Diversity Leaders Initiative,” Gordon said. “The road ahead will present its share of challenges, but our new group of leaders are uniquely positioned to create real-world solutions within their own enterprises.” DLI class members are selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by existing Riley Fellows. Participants are accepted based on their capacity to create impact within their organizations and communities. Dr. DeHay will take part in a highly interactive curriculum consisting of case studies, scenario analyses, and other experiential learning tools that maximize interaction and discussion among classmates and facilitate productive relationships. Working alongside classmates, Dr. DeHay will also develop a capstone project that raises awareness of community need.