Last modified: Thursday, November 9, 2006
Student Alumni Association offers leadership training for IU students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 9, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- This January, Indiana University students will be given the opportunity to build their leadership skills at the nationally acclaimed LeaderShape Institute, an intensive, energizing, six-day educational experience designed to equip young adults to become extraordinary leaders.
The program is sponsored by the IU Bloomington Student Alumni Association. IU's campus-based session of the LeaderShape Institute will be held Jan. 2 to 7 at the Waycross Camp and Conference Center in Morgantown, Ind.
Each session of the LeaderShape Institute includes approximately 60 to 70 students from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. The institute's curriculum is presented by a group of facilitators who are all highly respected in their own professions.
Much of the week's work is done in small groups called "family clusters," which create a safe, supportive learning environment that allows participants to work together, form close friendships and benefit from new perspectives. Each student in the cluster works to define his or her personal vision for changing or contributing to the world in a positive way.
Based on that vision, participants then develop a blueprint for the action that they will undertake when they return home -- with the objective of effecting meaningful, measurable change in their organizations during the next nine to 12 months. With the guidance of LeaderShape facilitators, participants complete a blueprint that identifies the goals, relationships and action steps that are essential to the project's success.
Students from all eight IU campuses are invited to participate in LeaderShape. There is no cost to attend the program, but an application is required. Students may apply online at https://www.alumni.indiana.edu/saa. The application deadline is Nov. 17. Faculty and staff may also nominate students by contacting Sondra Inman, IUAA director of student programs, at 812-855-4670 or seinman@indiana.edu.
"LeaderShape is an awesome experience," said Kristen King, president of the Student Alumni Association and a 2005 LeaderShape participant. "During the short week I learned so much about myself and how to strengthen my leadership ability, all the while meeting new people and developing lasting relationships and connections."
Since 1986, more than 18,000 participants from more than 500 colleges, universities, corporations and other organizations across America have been part of the LeaderShape Institute. This is the sixth time a session has been held exclusively for IU students.
Alumni of the LeaderShape Institute include Larry Page, co-founder of Google; NFL quarterback Brian Griese; and John Rood, senior vice president of marketing at ABC Family.
"I feel very fortunate to have participated in LeaderShape's inaugural program in 1986," said Rood. "At a time in our college lives where one's thinking can become insular and narrow, LeaderShape introduces you to great people from all around the country, from a variety of leadership organizations, with a diverse set of values and qualities. Our small-group training reinforced the importance of being self-aware as a leader, recognizing and respecting others, and working together for the common good."
The Student Alumni Association was formed on the IUB campus in 1976 to increase the ties between students and alumni and to create student awareness of alumni activities. Throughout the year, SAA sponsors more than 40 programs and events to promote student leadership and involvement, including Homecoming, Senior Salute, the award-winning Networking Nights series and the Student Choice Awards for outstanding faculty. SAA first brought the LeaderShape Institute to IU in 2000.
Other sponsors of this year's LeaderShape include the IU Alumni Association, Procter & Gamble, the IU Student Association, IU's Office of the President, the IU Foundation and Residential Programs and Services.
The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving nearly 490,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, non-member alumni and the university. For information, visit https://www.alumni.indiana.edu or call 800-824-3044.
