Helping people bring out the best in themselves is Alina Lehnert's specialty.
As assistant professor of organizational leadership and associate director of leadership and strengths development at Evangel University, Lehnert teaches in the behavioral science and leadership departments and coordinates Evangel's academic leadership and strengths-based leadership programs.
On May 9, Lehnert received her Ph.D. in organizational leadership, with an emphasis on human resource development during graduation ceremonies at Regent University at Virginia Beach, Va.
She is also a licensed professional counselor who works with individuals and families to help them reach personal and career goals.
As a Strengths Performance Coach certified by the Gallup Organization, Lehnert consults with public and private organizations to help leaders maximize talent.
The Gallup Organization recently honored Lehnert with its StrengthsQuest Architect Award in recognition of her leadership in creating a culture of strengths at Evangel.
"I wasn't so much proud of the award itself, rather I was proud of what it represented - it solidified my efforts in creating a positive change in people and maximizing human potential," she reveals.
Lehnert's influence and leadership are wide-ranging.
As a professor, she says she influences students by helping them figure out their professional calling and prepare for a career.
She also coordinates the Student Leadership Forum at Evangel each fall.
"The forum's goal is to provide (student) leaders with resources to be successful in their leadership role that year, to network with other campus leaders and develop leadership skills," she says.
Lehnert recently graduated from Leadership Springfield Class 23.
That experience brought her into contact with the Regional Girls Shelter, which was in need of clothing for teenage girls.
"The light bulb went on," Lehnert says. "I knew I had access to over 1,000 teenage college girls who were getting ready to clean out their dorm room closets, so I ... shared this need with the women of EU. The drive asked Evangel college girls to donate one article of clothing to girls who were in need just one mile away from EU's campus."
Within one week, the "One" clothing drive delivered more than 1,000 items of clothing to the Regional Girls Shelter, and plans are for it to become an annual event, Lehnert says.[[In-content Ad]]
