One of the traits I have noticed about successful leaders is respect. While leaders certainly may have the respect of the public, what I mean is that great leaders respect themselves and other people. In contrast, leaders who live for the limelight and attention I believe ultimately make poor leaders. A respect for yourself means that you understand who you are and where you are going. This brings an inner confidence. These type leaders have conviction and inspire others. They stand for something. People want to follow those kinds of leaders.

Dr. Beverly Hogan, President of Tougaloo College, is one of those kinds of leaders. I recently had the opportunity to visit the campus of Tougaloo and visit with Dr. Hogan. Her passion for people and the institution quickly came through as we had a spirited discussion about leadership. Before becoming the 13th President of the school in 2002, Dr. Hogan enjoyed a long and distinguished career in public and private leadership. A Tougaloo graduate, she studied psychology and began her career in the mental health field including being Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Hinds County and later statewide director for the Mental Health Association of Mississippi. She went on to serve as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Federal State Programs in the Allain administration and served for ten years as a Commissioner for the Worker’s Compensation Commission. In 1997, she returned to her alma mater and for five years served the college in a variety of roles before being named President.