CEC Week: Meet Natalia Slastnikova, CEC Director

April 29, 2013

You may ask: what is the best word that describes this woman? The answer: development. She has her own formula for success, which, as time shows, has turned out to be very effective.

“If you want to be successful, be proactive, creative and well prepared”, Natalia Slastnikova explained.

Natalia has two technical degrees, significant administrative and teaching experience, and is currently the executive director of Leadership Development.  She came to AUCA 12 years ago, joining the teaching staff as well as contributing her administrative capabilities. A teacher by vocation, she delivers learner-focused instruction in leadership, teambuilding, communication, organizational behavior, career planning and development.  She has more than 25-year experience in education.

At AUCA she has served on the President’s team by coordinating and performing a wide variety of administrative and support activities. Since 2002 her leadership has been utilized in development and resulted in the creation of the alumni association, annual fund and parent fund.  Finally, the advisory board for business administration program was created with the help of her well-established relations in the business community. 

Four years ago Natalia was assigned to develop two new projects: the career center and the continuing education center.  These are now well known in the AUCA community, Bishkek and beyond.

“AUCA was a small entity; there were so many things to do. I just caught an opportunity. My philosophy is very simple: by developing others we develop ourselves”, Slastnikova said.

Excellent execution of such projects has left a positive impression on the students, potential employers and many businesses. In less than four years the continuing education center has now served more than 6000 non-traditional students, and its portfolio includes more than 50 leading Kyrgyz and international companies.

The courses and trainings developed by Natalia, such as effective presentation and public speaking, management skills, leadership in organization, and career planning are aimed at personal enrichment and professional development.

She has been engaged in the development of multiple career center projects in Kyrgyzstan.  More than 20 Career Centers have been developed in higher education institutions. She is the author of three manuals for students and career centers that are published with USAID support.

She is always active in the community and volunteers her time advising the local AIESEC team, conducting trainings on leadership for high school students in the region and career trainings for students in other institutions.

Her formula for success accompanies Natalia everywhere she goes: “If something is undeveloped, you always have a chance to develop it.”

 Article by Aleksandra Revina

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