Miners Leadership Initiative
Overview
The Miners Leadership Initiative, an emerging leaders’ program (ELP) for first time, first year students that supports the development and engagement of emerging student leaders as they transition to the university.
Over one semester, participants engage in a series of sessions designed to build essential leadership skills, including Effective Communication, Strategic Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence.
The program emphasizes both group activities and personal reflection to enhance students' professional and marketable skills, equipping them to tackle real-world challenges effectively. As a recognized high-impact experience, the Miners Leadership Initiative provides a comprehensive approach to leadership development, encouraging active engagement and sel f-assessment.
Workshops and Activity
To complete the program, students must:
- Attend 3 workshops—one from each of the following Leadership-themed months:
- September: Effective Communication
- October: Strategic Leadership
- November: Emotional Intelligence
- Activate their Handshake account.
Each month offers 6 in-person sessions and 3 virtual sessions.
Optional: Attend a Leadership Speaker Series event to replace one workshop from the Leadership-themed months.
Recognition of Completion :
Students will receive a certificate and an orange pick lapel pin upon completion. Students will also receive a special giveaway item each month they attend a workshop.
Visiting Facilitators
Marina Monsisvais
CEO of Barracuda
Marina Monsisvais founded Barracuda Public Relations to be the megaphone for all the great things happening in the southwest. A New Mexico State University graduate, Marina has leveraged her commercial media experience and deep engagement in the borderland community to create an indispensable resource for local businesses, non-profit organizations and government institutions.
Ekhi Muniategui
CEO of Direct Kinetics
Ekhi has been a part of Direct Kinetic Solutions since the team got together as part of the FedTech Spring 2019 Cohort when they started customer discovery to validate the idea and see if there was a market for the technology. Since its incorporation in the summer of 2019, Ekhi has focused on developing the right company structure, winning contracts to drive the company’s growth and R&D efforts, and setting the right team.
Dr. Patricia Delgado
CEO and Co-founder of The Bridge Group
Dr. Patricia Delgado is an experienced Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychologist with 20 years of experience in organizational and business development, management and leadership, employee-employer interdependency, and employee behavioral psychology. She is the Owner/Founder & CEO of The Bridgify Group. Her passion is to inspire leaders and individuals to exceed their own expectations through the translation of research into practice.
sereka barlow
CEO of El Paso Del Norte Region
Sereka Barlow is the Chief Executive Officer for the YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region and previously served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Hospitals of Providence, Sierra Campus, El Paso, Texas for the past 4 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health, Dental Hygiene, from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University, U.S. Army Health Care Program. Sereka has over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. In June of 2017, she retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while serving as COO or Deputy Commander for Administration, at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas. She was recognized in 2019 and 2020 by the Becker’s Hospital Review as the top African American Leaders in Healthcare to Know. She continues to serve the community of El Paso as the Chair for the El Paso Museum of Art Foundation Board, the Foundation Chair for the El Paso – Southern New Mexico Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, INC., and a member of the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation and Allocation Committee. She is the mother of three beautiful teenagers: her daughter London and twin boys, Phoenix and Legend. Sereka has been married for over 21 years to her military “Battle Buddy”, Rodd. Her personal motto is “I’m blessed to be a blessing."
Leila H. Melendez
Chief Executive Officer Workforce Solutions Borderplex
She is CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex, a nonprofit that provides employment service assistance to job seekers and employers in West Texas.
Melendez has served on the United Way of El Paso County Board and on the University of Texas at El Paso College of Education Advisory Board. She also serves on the Firemen and Policemen’s Pension Fund Board and Executive Forum. She is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. She has won numerous awards, including a 2023 Gold Nugget Award by 成人头条. She also was named as a breakthrough leader by the El Paso Chamber and previously received the Star on the Mountain Award from former El Paso Mayor John Cook.
Melendez earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso.
ray cossio
Holistic Health and Fitness Director, 11th ADA Brigade
Ramon "Ray" Cossio currently serves as the Holistic Health and Fitness Director for 11th Air Artillery Defense (ADA) Brigade where he oversees a multidisciplinary staff of strength and conditioning coaches, physical and occupational therapists, and nutrition experts. His team is responsible for the health, fitness, and readiness of the largest ADA BDE in the world. Prior to his current role Mr. Cossio has managed private and corporate fitness programs in Austin and Houston TX. His leadership experience began over 20 years ago while serving in the Marine Corps as an infantry squad leader, platoon sergeant, and martial arts instructor.