Haywood Community College Computer Information Technology and Health Business Informatics student Diane Floyd represented the college at the Student Development Leadership Institute at Peace College this summer.

The institute was developed to broaden leadership training opportunities for North Carolina's Community College students and to prepare them for professional and civic responsibilities.

Students are provided information and tools through many varying workshops and then challenged to put their knowledge to work through group and individual projects. Participants in the institute learn many concepts such as proper etiquette, motivational and communication skills, organizational skills, time management, planning and goal setting, planning and administering a budget and business and personal ethics.

At HCC, Floyd is very active. She is president of the Health Business Informatics/Medical Office Administration Club, president of the HCC Book Club, public information officer for the Technology Club, and a work study student and tutor at the Teaching and Learning Center. At the beginning of fall semester, she will teach parliamentary procedure for all clubs.

When Floyd finishes HCC in May 2013, she will have five degrees from the school. She first came to HCC as a business administration student and finished the program in 1997. In 2011, she completed both the medical office administration and office systems legal programs.

Floyd says that attending the Leadership Institute showed her that everyone can be a leader.

“Every moment prepared us to impact the learning communities that we came from,” Floyd said. “It was the best leadership training that I could have asked for.”

Floyd has lived in Haywood County for more than 20 years. She has four daughters and four grandchildren. She has been involved with 4-H for about 14 years where she holds a master volunteer certificate. She enjoys sewing, knitting, crocheting, and reading.

“I am comfortable at HCC,” she says. “I like the atmosphere. The people become family.”