“I knew I wanted to lead my own department in the future.” These were the exact words Cindi Wight, CPRE, MR wrote in a blog post in May 2013 about her intoxicating, incredible experience at Directors School. Six months later her aspiration became a reality…

Great news!  

Since I last posted on the NRPA blog, I have been promoted to the department head position for our city. I strongly believe that the decision that I made back in 2010 to apply to Directors School made the difference in landing the position just this past November.

 

From Directors School I went off to grad school, met some amazing professionals and it opened my horizons to raising the bar for our community. 

I can't say enough how important the networks are that you build at Directors School.  

In so much of what I do, I turn to my “D-school” colleagues: I am analyzing a contract for a building project and will reach out to a colleague who is a planner for his community to have his help reviewing; I am in the process of looking at a parks foundation and connections from “D-school” are helping me through the process; once we start on the CAPRA accreditation  path, I have several “D-school” colleagues that have since gone through the accreditation process and they will be invaluable help! 

In turn, I hope that I can "pay it forward" with support and advice to others. 

Stretch your comfort zone, apply for Directors School and be ready for an experience of your life!

 

What are some success stories you have from attending a school or conference? Share in the comments below or tweet us  @NRPA_News. 

 

 

 

 

 

Cindi Wight, CPRE, MR,  is the recently promoted Superintendent of Rutland Recreation and Parks Department in Vermont.

 

 

 

Editor’s Note: Applications for Year 1 and registration for Year 2 of NRPA’s Director School is currently open. Directors School takes place in August at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia.