Authentic Leadership Inside & Outside The Classroom: Dr. Jack Knipe
Written by Amanda Mathis
You never know how an email may change the trajectory of your life. Just ask Dr. Jack Knipe, whom Converse University recently appointed as the Director of the Master in Management (MiM) Program. His path to the University started with a simple connection online.
Dr. Knipe’s career journey is a testament to the power of passion. Starting in finance, a field focused on numbers, he felt a pull toward his true calling – education. This feeling led him to teach English as a second language, igniting a flame to guide his future endeavors and inspire others.
And a flame it did ignite.
Dr. Knipe’s educational journey is proof of his diverse interests and commitment to learning. A pursuit of a Master in Education, a Master in Spanish, and a PhD in International Education and Linguistics reflects his dedication to understanding and improving education. Next, his educational journey took on an international flavor, leading him to work as a Spanish professor and coordinator for International Student Support at nearby Limestone University.
Then, one day, the figurative call – in the form of an email – came from Dr. Keshia Gilliam to work as an Adjunct for the Cultural Awareness course at Converse.
“My motivation in reaching out to these students is to make them feel that they’re home away from home.
Dr. Jack Knipe
His global perspective and experience with diverse student populations have enriched the MiM Program at Converse University. Dr. Knipe’s work with international students is not just a job, but a passion. He finds joy in connecting with and welcoming students to a new country and school, and his commitment to inclusion and belonging is not just evident but a cornerstone of his interactions with these students, making them feel welcomed and valued.
“My motivation in reaching out to these students is to make them feel that they’re home away from home and are part of a loving community so they succeed while being at our school,” said Knipe.
Dr. Knipe said that as he settled into his role as part of the Master in Management faculty at Converse, Dr. Gilliam was encouraging and supportive. “She was my biggest cheerleader,” observed Knipe. “I loved the program’s vision, especially after diving into the program.”
Dr. Keshia Gilliam shares his enthusiasm. “I started as the Director of the MiM program in 2020 while serving as the Director of Human Resources,” said Dr. Gilliam. “I soon realized the program’s value to the students and to Converse.”
The MiM program has two areas of focus: Professional Leadership and Community Advocacy, with courses designed to integrate dialogue with industry leaders and allow the students to build professional networks. Additionally, students complete 360 surveys to help identify leadership strengths and opportunities. The core of the MiM is being authentic, speaking truth to power, and self-care.
“Students did not realize they motivated me to continue to grow and learn as an institutional leader.”
Dr. Keshia Gilliam
“The students did not realize they motivated me to continue to grow and learn as an institutional leader,” Dr. Gilliam reflected. “I learned more about myself in MiM as I walked in with imposter syndrome in many areas of my life. I can confidently say I am a better ME because of MiM.”
Dr. Knipe initially joined Converse as a MiM and EdD faculty member, and Dr. Gilliam says he made an immediate positive impact.”The feedback I received from students regarding his class was PHENOMENAL,” she said. “Students wanted to learn more from him. Jack speaks several languages and instantly connects with our international MiM students, supporting their growth. When he joined as a full-time faculty member for Converse, I knew he would be my replacement, and I was ecstatic when he accepted the role,” said Dr. Gilliam. “I am so excited to see #thenextlevelMiM, and I will continue to support his efforts to grow and expand the program.
Dr. Knipe says he is thankful for the passion and status Dr. Gilliam brought to the program with her leadership, and his excitement and ambition are palpable as he enters this academic year as its new leader. His goals for the future are for the community to understand how broad leadership is, to embrace authentic leadership, and to understand the diversity of leaders. With several ambitious goals, his enthusiasm sets the tone for an energetic and productive year ahead.
“Leadership is not just running a business; it’s also those who are part of the base of the community, from teachers to community leaders,” he said.
About the Master in Management at Converse
Creating an authentic leadership culture is critical to productivity, employee retention, and overall company and organization satisfaction. Gain the skills you need to be a more capable, strategic leader through an environment focused on building you as a more decisive leader with the 30-hour Master in Management program. The program is designed for working adult professionals and is 100% online.
The MiM provides a comprehensive grounding in professional leadership development with the potential for graduates to advance to the EdD in Professional Leadership program.