| Faculty
Dr. Kristin Bledsoe, dean of the School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies at Trevecca, believes strong leadership has the power to shape both professions and communities. That conviction has led her to partner with local law enforcement across Middle Tennessee, most recently working with the Metro Nashville Police Department to strengthen leadership development among high-ranking officers.
For the MNPD, Bledsoe tailored her session specifically for high-level leadership, deputy chiefs, commanders, captains and lieutenants by asking a critical question: What are your biggest challenges?
“They mentioned retention and recruitment as well as culture and morale,” Bledsoe said. “That’s how I got all the information put together and created a customized workbook. I’m using what we teach at Trevecca at the highest level and tying it into what their challenges are.”
Her approach was, in part, built on two years of working with law enforcement leadership, including designing a policing excellence leadership academy for officers in the Mt. Juliet Police Department, where Trevecca alum Tyler Chandler serves as police chief.
For the MNPD, as with her previous sessions, she recognizes that interaction and input from attendees is what leads to the most success and that adding a light-hearted element can encourage participation.
“The secret to success is to bring candy,” Bledsoe laughed. “I’ve taught third and fourth grade but I’ve found that for adults that have to sit for hours, they also enjoy the entertainment and reward. Everyone at every age loves candy.”
That excitement carried throughout the session, creating an engaging conversation, with officers contributing their unique perspective from years of experience as leaders in the field. Bledsoe emphasized that while policies and procedures matter, leadership ultimately comes down to the relational aspect of the job.
“For leaders, not just police officers, it’s all about how we face challenges with our people,” Bledsoe said. “If you think you’ve got it all figured out for yourself, then start thinking about the people under you and how this content can help them.”
Ultimately, Bledsoe left seeing the principles of leadership come alive where they are needed most.
“You go into a place where you don’t know anyone, and by the end of the day, you’ve shared stories and experiences. That’s where the value is.”
She has plans to continue expanding her mission to reach other police departments and city officials, bringing the ideas and priorities that have shaped the success of Trevecca’s leadership degrees to a wider audience.
“Not everyone can go back and get a degree,” Bledsoe said, “but that shouldn’t stop us from taking what we teach and using it to help our communities.”