JMS AUCD Leadership Academy

Jen Magekly-Seiler nominated for AUCD Leadership Academy

Each year, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), welcomes a selection of current and emerging leaders from the disability community to participate in their Leadership Academy. This year, Jen Magelky-Seiler, Project Coordinator of Idaho Living Well, will join 23 other professionals in undertaking this leadership training.

The Academy began this month and will last the entire year, with ongoing training and mentoring. This includes a week-long in-person session in Atlanta, Georgia where participants come together to connect with each other and learn how to facilitate change in their communities.

Jen will meet with her peers daily to work with staff, local coaches and national allies to develop strengths and skills, share experiences, explore shared values, and make personal and professional goals. In addition to honing their leadership skills, they will learn how to improve systems of support and services, which can include federal and state agencies.

“I am excited to represent the CDHD and the state of Idaho at Leadership Academy and participate in professional development that includes leaders across the AUCD network,” Jen said of the opportunity.

She has been at the Idaho CDHD for 13 years and is currently leading the Idaho Living Well Project. Her work has focused on helping to build innovative, self-advocate-led health and safety monitoring systems to protect adults living in HCBS settings. Most recently, this work has been invaluable in addressing caregiver abuse and neglect in Idaho. She has also been the driving force behind our Self-Advocacy Training series.

In the fall, Jen will take on a new role for the Center. Along with supporting our Community Advisory Committee, she will continue to support systems change efforts started under Idaho Living Well, and support advocacy and policy efforts that align with our mission and goals.

This training is a key opportunity to hone her leadership skills further and support others in her future work.

“I hope this training will provide additional tools for me to use to support self-advocates, families, and professionals in Idaho to understand important issues, advocate for systemic changes, and help shape policy in our state.”

The program includes strength-based leadership development and mentoring as well as a review of disability history, dynamics of power and privilege and community development practices. It also allows her to network with other professionals in the AUCD network and build connections for future work.