Webinar will explore how individuals can create meaningful impact within their professional roles, relationships, and communities

PHOENIX, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix will host the next installment of its Bridging Perspectives webinar series, “Service, Purpose, and Leadership Across Generations” on Thursday, June 18, at 11 a.m. MST. Presented by the Office of Collaborative Learning and Educational Engagement, the session is designed for higher education leaders, employers, nonprofit organizations and University of Phoenix faculty, staff, students and alumni.

“As workplaces continue to evolve, there is an opportunity to center service and purpose in how leadership develops across generations,” shares Director of Strategic Initiatives at University of Phoenix, Saray Lopez, MBA. “This conversation highlights how lived experience and mentorship can help shape more intentional leadership and support individuals in creating meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.”

Featured speakers:

The webinar will feature John Ramirez, MBA, MS/AJS-GHS, USA CSM (ret) Dean of Operations for the College of Doctoral Studies at University of Phoenix, as well as Billy Mikels, USA SFC (ret) Lead for the Veterans Employee Resource Group and Enrollment Representative at University of Phoenix.

Ramirez and Mikels will examine the personal perspectives of retired Command Sergeant Major Curtis L. Brown, age 101, and retired Major Fannie Griffin-McClendon, age 104, whose lived experiences offer meaningful insight into adaptability, leadership, and purpose.

Major McClendon served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, a predominantly-Black, female battalion, which was deployed to England and France during World War II to eliminate a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail. Their mission supported delivery of letters between service members and their families, boosting morale and helping troops stay connected to loved ones during the war. Major McClendon’s story and the legacy of the Six Triple Eight is the subject of a University of Phoenix Story of Success mini-documentary and reflects her lifetime of service. She has been recognized in local and national events for her legacy of resilience and excellence.

Major Brown served in the United States Army for thirty-one years, beginning as a Company Clerk and rising through the ranks as a Company Truck Master. He later became one of the first Black Master Sergeants to be promoted to Sergeants Major. After his retirement, he continued to serve his community and became well known for his ongoing teaching and mentorship of army leaders. His story has been shared as an example of perseverance, faith and service.

Through personal stories shaped by service, challenge, and transformation, the session will explore how discipline, adversity, and identity influence the way individuals lead, adapt, and persevere in complex environments.

What attendees will learn

Participants will gain practical takeaways they can apply immediately:

• Learn how lived experience can inform decision-making
• Discover practical ways to support mentorship
• Understand how to create meaningful impact across environments

Who should attend

Leaders and practitioners focused on workforce trends, culture, talent development, leadership and employee experience across environments.

About the series

This session continues the Bridging Perspectives series focus on timely workplace topics, offering research‑informed and practical strategies for leaders navigating AI, organizational change and evolving workforce expectations.

Register for the webinar here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life^® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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SOURCE University of Phoenix