Wilmington College’s online Master of Organizational Leadership program features a unique immersive learning component that connects students with needs in their communities. For Lexi Hagler, an anticipated December 2026 graduate, this meant applying her social media skills to drive attention toward rural and agricultural issues in southwest Ohio through the Fayette County (OH) Pork Producers Board.
The program’s Immersive Learning Experience (ILE) highlights the value of applying leadership concepts in a real-world setting, while also contributing meaningful support to local organizations dedicated to advancing opportunities and quality of life in the students’ communities.
The local agriculture organization, whose main focus is supporting the pork industry, also sets a precedent for promoting youth development and community outreach initiatives.
Hagler designed her project to evaluate how digital and social media platforms could be used more effectively to increase awareness, engagement and overall outreach for the organization. She gathered data through an analysis of the board’s existing social media performance and survey feedback from board members regarding their experiences, management and perceptions of using digital communication.
Hagler’s research revealed that, while the Pork Producers Board maintains a strong presence within the local community, significant opportunities exist to enhance communication, improve consistency and boost audience engagement through a more strategic use of digital platforms. Based on that insight, Hagler presented a series of content strategies and recommendations to strengthen the board’s online presence, demonstrating that intentional and well-planned digital communication could connect them with wider audiences to more effectively achieve their goals.
Indeed, the organization’s audience increased 46 percent from the previous year’s reporting period. In turn, engagement spiked each time she posted, totaling some 55,000 views and an impressive 12-fold increase in audience engagement.
“This project showed me how impactful digital communication can be for local organizations and how leadership skills can be applied to create real, meaningful change in the community,” Hagler said, noting that her immersive learning experience (ILE) with the MOL program “aligned directly” with her role as the owner and digital marketing specialist of Solid Ground Social Media & Marketing, a business she founded in 2025.
“My ILE project reinforced the importance of using data-driven marketing decisions, strategic content planning and effective communication to help organizations expand their online presence,” she added.
Wilmington College’s Master of Organizational Leadership program — fully online — focuses on leadership and service and can be completed in as few as four semesters. It features both full- and part-time options, and opportunities for accelerated courses. It is designed to complement careers in such fields as healthcare, education, government/civic organizations, not-profits, the corporate sector, human resources, and training and development. More information can be found at www.wilmington.edu.