On June 6th , the Ottumwa Leadership Academy celebrated 23 new graduates, bringing the alumni total to 234. As the Academy begins preparations for its 13th year, Dr. Jill Budde will serve in the lead role of Dean. This volunteer position collaborates with the Advisory Board
and the Executive Director to review, evaluate, and prepare the curriculum for the year in addition to helping facilitate the monthly sessions.
Budde is the Vice President of Learning and Engagement at Indian Hills Community College where she serves as the College’s Chief Academic Officer and Accreditation Liaison Officer. Along with many strategic initiatives, Budde serves on state-wide committees and councils. She has been with Indian Hills Community College since 2006 where she has also served as Executive Dean of Career & Workforce
Education, Executive Dean of Health Sciences and a Program Director for the Physical Therapist Assistant and Therapeutic Massage programs.
Budde received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Health Sciences in 1999, Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2000, and Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2006. She is active in the Ottumwa community where she has been on the Legacy Foundation Board of Directors since 2021, Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress since 2015, Ottumwa Noon Lions Club since 2010, Ottumwa High School A Club since 2017,
among many others. Dr. Budde is active with state-wide initiatives including the Iowa Business Education Alliance, Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Health Educators Association to name a few.
On a personal note, she and her husband Shawn have two sons. They enjoy watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, going camping and kayaking.
“The Ottumwa Leadership Academy has been an invaluable part of my professional and personal life since I was selected to participate in the Class of 2015. O.L.A. is truly for any person who has a desire to gain community knowledge and connections in order to be a more informed person in our community. My goal for the Class of 2025 is to create a welcoming atmosphere where participants can engage in all
of the activities so they feel empowered to be a positive and active community member. ”
Those wishing to apply for the upcoming Ottumwa Leadership Academy class must submit an application by June 30, 2024.To access the application, please visit https://www.ottumwaleadershipacademy.org/apply/apply-now/.
