Leadership Salkehatchie Class of 2026 Orientation Set Jan. 22 in Allendale

The Leadership Institute at USC Salkehatchie launched the Leadership Salkehatchie Class of 2026 with an orientation titled “Leading with Purpose” at the Atrium on the Allendale campus on Jan. 22. The one-day opening set the cohort on a six-month program focused on civic, economic and cross-sector leadership across Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Program director Shelby Broomfield framed the class as part of a regional leadership network. “We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of individuals into the Leadership Salkehatchie family,” Broomfield said. “Our mission is to cultivate a network of informed, connected, and motivated leaders who are prepared to drive positive change. By examining the unique challenges and opportunities within our six-county region, these participants will develop the collaborative skills necessary to strengthen our communities and ensure a prosperous future for the Salkehatchie area.”

The orientation featured a keynote by Dr. Linda Salane, CEO of Why Not Now Consulting & Executive Coaching, in a session titled “Your Brain Rules: Thinking and Acting Like a Leader.” In published coverage, Blufftontoday summarized the presentation: “In her intensive session, ‘Your Brain Rules: Thinking and Acting Like a Leader,’ Dr. Salane provided participants with a deep dive into the neuroscience of leadership.” Organizers say the six-month journey will include engagements with subject matter experts on economic development, education and healthcare, and will culminate in a community service project “designed to leave a tangible impact on the Lowcountry.”

USC Salkehatchie and regional outlets published a roster of selected participants. Names and affiliations listed in the published materials include Adam Altman of Adam's Nursery and Landscaping, LLC (Barnwell); Patricia Hall of Allendale County First Steps (Allendale); Sarah Miller of USC Salkehatchie (Allendale/Colleton); Leslie Johnson of SC Dept. of Employment & Workforce (Colleton, Jasper, Hampton); Kendall Malphrus of Jasper County Chamber of Commerce (Jasper); Stephone Glover of Glover Moving Company, LLC (Bamberg); Leigh Ann Osborne of Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School (Bamberg); Racheal Neece of SRP Federal Credit Union (Barnwell); Brianna Parker of Palmetto Rural Telephone Company (Colleton, Hampton); and Kywana Ritter of Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber (Allendale, Barnwell). Additional participants named include Logan Colburn (City of Hardeeville, Jasper), Molly Crosby (Hampton County), Katrina Douse (Barnwell County Government), Anthony Flowers (Williston-Elko High School, Barnwell), Erin Long (Hampton County School District), and others.

The published roster also contains items that merit clarification. The participant list names Leeanna Biery — Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (Beaufort) despite the program’s stated focus on Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Two entries appear without clear affiliations: Jennifer Combs and Tammy Aguilar, and one entry reads “Thomas Higgs — Colleton County (County)” as formatted in the release. USC Salkehatchie distributed the community release to regional outlets and posted a recruitment message on social media that read, “NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS! The USC Salkehatchie Leadership Institute is accepting nominations and applications for the 2026 class of Leadership Salkehatchie.”

Organizers describe Leadership Salkehatchie as a “premier development program” that will cultivate collaborative skills and regional networks over six months. The release did not list dates for subsequent sessions beyond the Jan. 22 orientation; participants are expected to proceed through the program’s curriculum and complete the community service project during the six-month term.