Carroll County Middle School Principal Dr. Robin Stephenson recently completed a year-long leadership journey through the Truist Leadership Institute’s Principal Leadership Academy, an experience she describes as both “powerful” and “transformational.”
She applied for the program, which is a collaboration with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, and was accepted. “It is a year-long experience. It kind of combines leadership science with practical application in the school,” Stephenson explained.
The opportunity came with the support of the Craft Foundation in Lexington, which served as Stephenson’s donor. It costs about $12,000 per person to complete Truist.
The program began with a weeklong stay in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Stephenson joined a cohort of 16 principals from across Kentucky. “One of the most impactful parts of the program was learning about my personal leadership style using the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), which gave me insight into how I lead under both normal and conflict conditions. It allowed me to discover and build upon both my strengths and weaknesses. This will help me strengthen relationships, resolve staff conflicts more effectively, and lead with greater self-awareness and purpose,” Stephenson said.
"The Leadership Institute for School Principals was one of the most impactful leadership experiences that I was able to be a part of as a principal. We certainly wanted Dr. Stephenson to have this opportunity to develop her leadership skills,” said Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes. “We are thankful for the KY Chamber of Commerce understanding the importance of developing principal leaders and the impact it has on our local community and economic development."
The experience combined leadership theory with brain science, helping principals explore how emotions and decision-making are connected. The group also focused on the importance of building trust within a school.
“Another key takeaway was learning how to create a culture of trust and psychological safety. Truist teaches that a leader’s behavior, especially under stress, sets the tone for psychological safety,” Stephenson explained.
Beyond personal growth, the collaborative element was just as valuable. “One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the opportunity to collaborate with principals from across the state. Those connections allowed for rich dialogue, problem-solving, and the sharing of best practices that pushed my thinking and helped me bring back more innovative strategies to Carroll County Middle School,” she added.
Throughout the year, the cohort met regularly in Frankfort, engaged in professional learning, completed online reflections, and continued building on the tools they had learned. For Stephenson, the program offered both self-reflection and practical strategies to bring home.
“Truist Leadership Institute afforded me the opportunity to do a deep self-reflection on my beliefs, habits, and behavioral triggers in order to move from automatic ‘knee-jerk’ reactions to more intentional and inclusive decision-making. I’m very thankful to have been afforded the opportunity to attend,” she said.