M.A. Degree Enhances Leadership Skills for Allegheny Center Alliance Church Director Thursday, January 22, 2015
Meet Loleda Moman
Job title: Director of Care Connections Ministries
Employer: Allegheny Center Alliance Church
Degrees earned: Master of Arts in organizational leadership with a concentration in community leadership, Point Park University, 2014 and Bachelor of social work, Carlow University, 2010
Hometown and current residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Oliver High School
Hobbies/interests: Reading, hanging out with family and exercising (in the near future)
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/loleda-moman/10/564/607
Why did you decide to pursue an M.A. in organizational leadership from Point Park?
I was already in a leadership position but felt I needed to brush up on my skills as a leader. I wanted to feel more secure in my role as a director. When I discovered the M.A. organizational leadership program at Point Park, I found it to be very accommodating for working professionals with families.
Also, the fact that Point Park's campus is conveniently located in Downtown Pittsburgh and close to my job was a big deciding factor for me. Additionally, I had a lot of friends who earned degrees from Point Park and raved about their experiences. Lastly, I loved that the M.A. organizational leadership program was flexible and offered a hybrid format of online and face-to-face classes.
Tell us about your role as director of Care Connections Ministries.
I lead the intake office at Allegheny Center Alliance Church, which is part of the church's social work ministry. We assess and serve the needs (housing, food, shelter, transportation, etc.) of the church family and surrounding communities. I am also responsible for recruiting and training volunteers and overseeing the after care jail and prison ministries (a support group for men and women of all ages) and the young professionals mentoring program. All of these programs serve the purpose to educate, equip and empower individuals and families in Christ.
What were some of your favorite experiences as a grad student at Point Park?
I really enjoyed connecting with students in class. My favorite class was Research Design in Organizational Leadership taught by Professor Jamie Talbott. Dr. Talbott is awesome! Through the research I conducted in that class, I was able to really enhance the mentoring program I developed for Care Connections Ministries.
Team Building for Leaders was a good class as well. I usually prefer to work by myself so I was stretched beyond my comfort zone. The class helped me to strengthen skill sets of mine that were weak.
In what ways has Point Park helped you professionally?
The MAOL program built my confidence and made me feel more secure as a leader and public speaker. I discovered my talents and was able to walk in them comfortably without second-guessing myself. Also, Point Park has helped me to know better who I am as an individual. Not only did I grow professionally during my time at Point Park but I grew as a person in general - as a wife, a mother and a friend.
What are your career goals?
Because of the wonderful experience I had as a grad student at Point Park, I hope to one day give back through teaching. I'd like to eventually pursue a doctorate degree in education.
Photo by Victoria A. Mikula, sophomore photojournalism major