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Angie Wolle
M.A. Organizational Psychology, 2006
She says she first became interested in Antioch when she noticed a flier that talked about integrating a number of programs with an emphasis on social change.
"I was drawn to the core curriculum around whole systems, the environment and community, a practical business sense and most importantly how organizations think and act," says Angie Wolle. "I was looking for a way to integrate the pockets of my career – corporate business and large-scale corporate change, IT applications, working with faith-based nonprofits – to manifest social change and integrate faith through existing systems and structures to address larger social needs."
She says the Organizational Psychology program spoke to how organizations are part of change and how we, as part of them, can enable change or be changed by them (for better or worse). "I was intrigued with how to put it all together to make a difference in the world, large and small," Wolle notes.
"As I went through the program, I was able to integrate these parts and apply them immediately. It seemed like everything I was learning had a practical application. While I was going through the program, the organization where I worked was going through tremendous changes in leadership. I was able to understand and frame the leadership styles and decisions into ways that made sense. We were developing a new nonprofit and taking the stage of growth, I was able to apply leadership and organizational cultural principles to this process."
She says she appreciated a key teaching approach at Antioch: the small group experience.
"It was a learning laboratory to explore how individuals are transformed in and through groups as well as how organization and society can be changed by small groups (or not!).
My topical study with the direct application, my thesis small group and the cohort experience as well as the practical real life experience of key instructors (Shana Hormann, Pat Vivian and Barbara Spraker) all converged to equip me for the next vocational leap," she says.
She currently serves as system director of organizational development for a faith-based nonprofit healthcare system. Her work focuses on leadership development, employee engagement and process and quality improvement in healthcare delivery – what she describes as a very integrating job.
"I am grateful for the practical and integrative space Antioch provided me for a rich learning experience. I carry forward learning practices that inform my work today."
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