Dr. Celeste Kong Graduates from ADEA Leadership Institute

On February 26, Professor and Director of Predoctoral Restorative Dentistry Dr. Celeste Kong completed the 2010 ADEA Leadership Institute program. The Leadership Institute is a year-long program designed to develop promising individuals at academic dental institutions to become future leaders in dental and higher education. Dr. Kong was one of 21 faculty members from 20 schools in the Leadership Institute Class of 2010.

As part of the program participants were divided into three groups to complete a leadership project. Dr. Kong’s group wrote an opinion paper which contends that if mid-level providers become part of the dental team—due to access to care issues—dental schools must step up and be responsible for educating these mid-level providers.

Dr. Kong participated in the Leadership Institute to learn the skills necessary to take her career to the next level. She added, "I felt that there was more that I could do for my profession as an educator and a program like this one in particular, that is geared toward dental faculty, was appropriate for me. This year marks the 25th year that I have taught at GSDM and I feel there is still room to learn and to innovate as an educator and an administrator."

Dr. Kong also said that participating in the Leadership Institute was a wonderful experience that she highly recommends. When asked what the most important thing she learned was, she replied, "There are many ways in which people can serve their community. You have to be self-aware and aware of your environment in order to be able to deliver what is necessary."

She went on to discuss eye-opening experiences that she took part in during her leadership training such as visiting Beacon Hill to talk to representatives involved with oral health and meeting with President Robert Brown and Provost Karen Antman to learn what excites them about their leadership roles.

She also said, "Networking with colleagues from other dental schools showed me that we have similar concerns but may have different solutions all worth trying."

"Dr. Kong carries on a tradition of excellence that participants in this program from GSDM have long maintained," said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, adding "I am very proud of Dr. Kong for completing this prestigious program."