Non Profit U.S. Postage Washburn University PAID Permit No. 689 Topeka, KS Leadership Institute 1700 SW College Ave. Benton Hall 408 Topeka, Kansas 66621

Volume 2, Issue 1 July 2011 Our new Associate Director: Marsha Carrasco Cooper

places. She received a bachelor’s Inside this Issue degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio Welcome...... 2 and a master’s degree in Counseling from Texas State University and is currently working on a doctoral Institute Leaders...... 3J o u r ndegree in Educational e yLeadership s and Policy Studies at the University Partnership Leader Development of Kansas. Because of her mentors’ Opportunities Programs...... 4 encouragement in college she quickly realized that working with By Leadership Institute college students in leadership Leadership Challenge development is her calling. She One of the main reasons for the growth • Host a Leadership Lab at your Event®...... 5 jokes, “I loved college so much, I and momentum of the Leadership organization’s site or help us decided I never wanted to leave.” Institute is the development of strong connect with other possible Leadership Labs...... 6 Carrasco Cooper is eager to get partner relationships. There many leadership lab opportunities; By Mercedes Garcia Reyes settled in the Leadership Institute. different ways to be involved with the What’s her first goal? “My first goal Marsha Carrasco Cooper joined the Leadership Institute and its incredible • Discuss leadership as a speaker in Leadership Exchange...... 7 is to get to know as many Leadership Institute as the new leadership students; we have partners one of our classes (you are also Leadership Institute students as Associate Director on July 1. Some possible so I can learn what each that focus on one area of involvement welcome to sit in on a class as well); Leadership Conferences...... 8 of you may know Marsha since she and others that are involved in several: individual’s goals and plans are has been the Director of Student as well find out what everyone is • Leadership Challenge Event® - see Alumni Spotlight...... 9 Activities & Greek Life at Washburn passionate about”, said Carrasco • Mentor a leadership student as page 5 for more information; there for five years. She also advised the Cooper. She believes a good leader part of our PALS (Promoting Active are so many ways to engage in this Calendar of Events...... 9 Washburn Student Government is someone who understands that Leadership Students) mentoring first-of-its-kind leadership event! Association and the Campus they are a leader even when, and program; Activities Board. She shared that Leadership Events...... 10 especially when, no one is watching. her number one goal was to make Leadership is a part of that • Sponsor a group change project Each of these opportunities is sure all of our Washburn students make-up that defines her in all that knew the importance of getting for our LE 300 course and see how outlined in more detail in this Mentoring Programs...... 11 she does. The Leadership Institute involved and connected to their is beyond thrilled to welcome her to students can bring great value to newsletter. Please contact us if you college experience. Her previous your organization; are interested in partnering in any Office Assistant: the office. “I am thrilled that I get experiences with advising student to keep advising students and using of these programs; we are even open Gayle Davis...... 12 organizations and working with my student development expertise • Sponsor a leadership student in to any new ideas you may have! We student leaders has prepared her to to help the Leadership Institute their LE 400 capstone internship can be reached at 785-670-2000 or Partnerships in make the switch to her new role in continue to grow and become a project; the Institute. Born in La Paz, Bolivia [email protected]. the Community...... 13 marquee program at Washburn,” and growing up in Texas, Carrasco said Carrasco Cooper. Cooper is certainly a native to many 12 1 From the Director We have completed another successful year on page 8). But our greatest challenge and at the Leadership Institute! After defining success was the first-of-its-kind Leadership ® Mentoring Programs our new vision almost 3 years ago and Challenge Event (more on page 5). This event putting a 5-year growth plan in place, we was the capstone of our vision, providing the Promoting Active Leadership Promoting Active Leadership have successfully accomplished most of the Leadership Institute with a signature event that goals we set in just three years! We have integrated many departments and organizations Students Students in the Community completed our first academic year with a on Washburn’s campus along with the greater By Hai Ping Sun By Daphne Phillips Leadership Minor, and our student Topeka community. While we have reached most registrations in leadership courses have of our milestones in our initial 5-year plans, we romoting Active Leadership Students (PALS) is a The Leadership Institute offers two types of mentoring tripled in the last two years. We also still have a long way to go – the development of Pvolunteer-mentoring program within the Leadership programs. The first is for leadership students who are launched three new leadership development a new 5-year plan is now underway and we hope Institute that helps incoming students better adjust to entering the program and the second is for upper classmen. programs, each of which were extremely to report on its success … three years from now! campus life. First year leadership students are paired up Promoting Active Leadership Students (PALS) in the successful – Leadership Labs (more on page As we said with our initial vision three years ago, with current students based on interests, academic major, Community is a unique opportunity for juniors and 6), Leadership Exchange (more on page 7), anything is possible when the students step up and and hobbies. Having a mentor enables incoming students seniors to be mentored by someone in the Topeka and student leadership conferences (more lead the way … and did they ever! You can contact to have questions answered regarding classes they have community. These individuals are graduates from the me at [email protected]. not yet taken or are considering taking, and also to obtain Leadership Greater Topeka program that the Greater Dr. Jeff Mott advice about majors and class loads. PALS can also just be Topeka Chamber of Commerce offers. Pairs are matched another great way to make a friend before the semester based on extracurricular, interests, majors and/or careers. begins. PALS mentors are friendly, eager to help and easy The purpose is for students to have the opportunity to meet to talk to. The Institute offers socials for PALS to get to and dialogue with professionals in the community. This can From the Associate Director know one another. Many students who are involved are help with job shadowing, internships, advice or networking. I’ve been an official part of the Leadership successes and will undoubtedly thrive in reaching pleased with the results. My PAL, Rachel Smyth, offered to “Befriending my student has been an unexpected benefit of Institute for less than a month and it already above and beyond our goals and expectations. I proofread my papers and gave me advice on different topics participation. I shared my collegiate and career experiences feels like home! It’s exciting to jump right would like to end by saying THANK YOU to our I had to write about for my leadership class. She has always with her during our informal meetings, but her exuberance in and get started with working on all of the previous Associate Director and my good friend, made time to meet with me despite her busy schedule. and enthusiasm for pursuing her passions through extraordinary programs and opportunities Dr. Jaci Jenkins Lindburg, for being an integral Attending leadership events with my PAL definitely made coursework and extensive extracurricular commitments the Institute offers Washburn students. part of the multitude of achievements the my transition easier and more enjoyable. provided me with fresh insights too,” said Kim Gronniger, The Institute is quickly becoming a Leadership Institute has seen! I certainly have big mentor and graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka. marquee program at Washburn, and I shoes to fill. We wish Jaci all the best as she begins couldn’t be more excited to be a part of its her new journey as the new Director for Student The Woman Behind the Phone: Gayle Davis future accomplishments. As you will read, Development and Leadership at McKendree By Lynn Nguyen our 2010-2011year was full of innovation University in St. Louis, Missouri. You can contact How would you like to see the Leadership Institute and new opportunities. Our 2011-2012 me at [email protected] or Where is your grow? I would like to see more students become active and Student Directors have an outstanding year 670-2000. hometown? Mehan, take a role within the Institute with responsibility and planned that will continue to build on those Oklahoma What is your current passion. Marsha Carrasco Cooper position in the What are your plans for this summer? Working but Leadership will take some time off to entertain 5 out of 6 grandchildren Institute? at “Granny Camp” in July. I will also spend some time with Office Assistant my children, parents, and siblings. I will also be found most If Hollywood made Saturday mornings at garage sales. From the Editor a movie about your Favorite song to sing, hum, or whistle to? Too many Happy summer everyone! It’s that time of planning for next year. The Leadership Challenge life, who would play and none in particular - Christian praise and worship music is my favorite style. year again where at the Leadership Institute Event® was a roaring success in April and we the lead? What do you do in your free time? Cook, read, go to we are actively busy doing just about couldn’t have done it without our amazing student Susan Sarandon garage sales, watch Criminal Minds, sew, visit family. anything, from New Student Orientations, leader, Lauren Eckert! Our new 13-member What do you like the Favorite summer vacation destination? Banff, Canada welcoming our new Associate Director in advisory board has been a great asset to the most about the in 1997 and Belgium in 2010. I have also enjoyed camping the office and staying up way too late to Leadership Institute. The new Student Leadership with my family in Colorado through the years and white prepare for the fall. We have had such an Directors have plans to achieve an even greater Institute? I have water rafting. Washington, D.C. was fun in 2005 and Mount exciting year and I hope this newsletter can level of excellence than last year. We have so many enjoyed watching it grow Rushmore in 2009. appropriately highlight our achievements. great possibilities, so if you have any suggestions and change the last 2 1/2 What is the proudest accomplishment you have seen I am thrilled to welcome Marsha Carrasco or new ideas don’t hesitate to e-mail me. Also, if years into what it has in the L.I. this past school year (2010-2011)? It would Cooper to our amazing program. With there are any corrections to the newsletter e-mail become-a program led have to be planning and pulling off the Leadership Challenge Carrasco Cooperon board I look forward to me at [email protected]. Thank you by students with campus and community involvement. Event®. It was a leadership challenge for the Leadership recruiting more students, adding new so much and I hope you enjoy reading about our Name one guilty pleasure? Garage sales Institute students as well as for the participants leadership labs and creating diverse dynamic Institute! If one song were to describe your life, what song opportunities for the students. The would it be? 'Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone' by Chris Leadership Institute is wasting no time Tomlin. Daphne Phillips, Senior 2 11 Leadership Events Institute Leaders Homecoming Spring Banquet & Awards 2011-2012 Student Directors • Daphne Phillips, Community & Alumni Outreach, By Rachel Klaus By Katie Porter senior, Lawrence, Kansas. She is pursuing a degree in Mass Media with a Public Relations emphasis and combination of cool weather, a parade, football, top On April 19 Leadership Institute students gathered to hopes to work for a non profit. Ahats, decorations and competition create a recipe for celebrate a year of hard work, progress and fun. Guests • Jana Havens, Recruitment & Transition, Washburn homecoming. “My favorite part of included graduating seniors, current students, alumni, sophomore, Wamego, Kansas. She is pursing a degree homecoming was the decorating party where everyone community members, incoming freshman and members of in Music Education and hopes to be a college music came together to make our decorations,” said Carly Boswell, the advisory board. Students presented highlights from the teacher. sophomore. “It’s hard to pick just one part of homecoming ® year including the Leadership Challenge Event , • Brooke Rollison, Communications, junior, that was my favorite,” said Korie Showalter, sophomore. Leadership Labs, Leadership Exchange and national student Independence, Kansas. She is pursing a degree in Daphne Phillips planned a tailgate consisting of philly leadership conferences. Throughout the evening students Mass Media with a Public Relations emphasis and cheese steak sandwiches, mock martinis and games for were recognized for their hard work and achievement during hopes to become a broadcaster. Leadership students and alumni. The Leadership Institute the school year. The following people were awarded: took second in the cake-decorating contest thanks to our • Shea Kirsop, Junior Fellow, junior, Lyndon, Kansas. own junior Rachel Smyth, and senior Blake Bryant won an • Lauren Eckert, senior from Minneapolis, Kansas, was He is pursing a degree in business and hopes to hold iPad in the texting competition. The Homecoming activities a marketing position at an outdoor sports company for the Leadership Institute couldn’t have happened without awarded the Outstanding Distinguished Student Leader • Kristen Onions, Programming, sophomore, the help of the Leadership students. “The people who helped Award for the planning and implementing of the with homecoming were all so willing and excited that it Leadership Challenge Event®. Shawnee, Kansas. She is pursing a degree in nursing made the events enjoyable and fun,” • Mary Pilgram, professor in communications, was and hopes to own her own pediatric clinic. said Showalter. recognized for Outstanding Leadership in • Katie Porter, Programming, sophomore, Administration at Washburn University; she served on Student Directors goofing around during their Leadership Retreat Independence, Kansas. She is pursing a degree in the Advisory Board and contributed significantly to the at the Easter Seals Capper Foundation. From Left: Daphne Phillips, nursing and hopes to be a geriatric nurse. Leadership Challenge Event®. Jana Havens, Brooke Rollison, Shea Kirsop, Kristen Onions, • Blake Bryant, Senior Fellow, senior, • Pam Walstrom, Vice President of Development at Easter Katie Porter and Blake Bryant. Independence, Kansas. He is pursing a degree in Seals Capper Foundation, was awarded the Outstanding Communication and hopes to be a professional Community Leadership Award for her involvement in facilitator. several course projects, serving on the Advisory Board and contributing to the Leadership Challenge Event®. • Joe Aleshire of Capitol Federal Savings was recognized Leadership Institute Adds for exemplary leadership in the Leadership Institute and Community Advisory Board providing signifcant leadership guidance to the topeka By Kristen Onions communiy. • Kristen Onions, a freshman from Shawnee, Kansas was he growth, development and success of the awarded the Emerging Leader Award for her Leadership Institute are largely dependent on the • involvement with the Leadership Challenge Event® and many community partnerships that have been built serving on the Community and Alumni team within the T Boy Scouts 20 under 40 over the past two years. These partnerships enabled the Institute. creation of a new advisory board, made up of 13 By Katie Porter • The Department of Student Life awarded Associate professionals from the Topeka community. The board Director, Jaci Jenkins Lindburg, the Achieving meets quarterly to discuss the Institute’s current and Excellence Award for her hard work and dedication to This fall, students from the Leadership Institute were given potential programs, though the focus this year was mainly the Leadership Institute and Washburn University. the opportunity to be part of the first annual Topeka’s on the details of the inaugural Leadership Challenge Greater 20 under 40 Awards hosted by the Jayhawk Area • Aleshire, Joe, Capitol Federal Savings Event®(see p. 5). Board members assisted with the Council Boy Scouts. This event recognized young leaders Two additional awards were given by the Leadership • Beteta, William, Heartland Visioning planning, funding, volunteer recruitment and utilization working towards making a difference in the Topeka Institute. • Cline, Sam, Hutchinson Correctional Facility of resources for this event. The networking involved in the community. The 21 men and women honored that evening • Shea Kirsop, junior from Lyndon, Kansas, was chosen as • Dimick, Tara, E2 Communications Advisory Board has also enable the development of have showed outstanding service and leadership to their the junior Leadership Institute Fellow who will plan the • Foreman, Jillain, National Multiple Sclerosis Society leadership labs, which provide students with valuable community. Leadership Institute students participated as 2012 Leadership Challenge Event®. • Garrard, Jill , Jayhawk Area Council guidance as well as experience in realistic leadership members of the selection committee to identify these 21 • Blake Bryant, senior from Independence, Kansas, was • Grogan, Mike, Grogan Coaching and Consulting Services situations, a major objective of the Leadership Institute. recipients and attended the award ceremony held at the chosen as the senior Leadership Institute Fellow who • Krehbiel, Miriam, United Way of Greater Topeka The Leadership Institute is grateful for the support of its Ramada Inn. Attending were Daphne Phillips, Kristen will oversee the Student Directors and work closely with • Pilgram, Mary, Washburn University advisory board members: Onions, Rachel Klaus, Katie Porter, Darrin Simmons, Lynn them to develop leadership programs happening within • Scott, Darrin, Topeka Police Department Nguyen, director Jeff Mott and Associate Director Jaci • Sheahan, Marsha, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Lindburg. This program exhibits great leaders in the Topeka • Walstrom, Pam, Easter Seals Capper Foundation community and provides role models to leadership • Trepinski, Robert, Marian Clinic students. 10 3 Our Vision To establish an innovative platform for leadership education that is recognized as a pioneering model for the development of future leaders and leadership methods.

Our Mission Alumni Spotlight Our Mission To developTo students develop into students ethical, caring into ethical,and diverse caring leaders and prepared diverse toleaders immediately prepared assume to immediatelyleadership roles in today’s changingassume society leadership by cultivating roles the in study today’s of leadership changing and society facilitating by cultivating transformational the study learning of experiencesleadership designedand to facilitating transformationalchallenge, learning motivate experiences and inspire designed future leaders. to challenge, motivate and Morgan Schaeffer, B.A. Mass Media, 2010 graduate inspire future leaders. Morgan Schaeffer just can’t stay away from her alma mater. an alumnus even more meaningful as she contributed to its Schaeffer, who has a B.A. in Mass Media with an emphasis current and future direction. One of her most memorable A look at some of our Leadership Development Programs... in Public Relations, currently works for the Kansas Family experiences in the Institute was attending the Women as Partnership as a communication specialist. Aside from her Global Leaders conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. STUDENT day job, Schaeffer is an active It was her first time overseas and women LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP MENTORING participant in the Washburn from all over the world presented and spoke LEADERSHIP LABS EXCHANGE PROGRAMS University Leadership Institute and the about leadership. The most important thing CONFERENCES Mass Media department. Schaeffer has she learned was how uninformed some of attended events such as the the American students were compared to Leadership labs take Enables Leadership The Leadership Institute Promoting Active Homecoming tailgate and Leadership students from other countries in terms of leadership students into Institute students to provides opportunities Leadership Students spring banquet. She has also been world events. Schaeffer encourages students new environments where learn from and connect for involved students to (PALS) is a student involved in the Topeka community by to be more involved and to participate in they will be introduced to with peers with attend national and mentoring program that serving as a board member of the Washburn University events because one unique organizational leadership interests in international student helps new leadership Topeka Chapter of the Association for may never know when they could discover and operating processes another part of the leadership conferences. students become Women in Communications (AWC). their passion, establish an important that require a specific country or world. acclimated to campus, Schaeffer has been active in Fast connection or gain a valuable experience. “A leadership style in order These conferences identify campus Forward and is planning to enter the really important skill that I learned was the to be successful. Students share thoughts, provide students the resources, learn about next Miss Kansas Pageant. She credits ability to achieve balance in life and that it is perspectives, and opportunity to learn from the Leadership Institute, her current community involvement really important as a part of being a Students observe the experiences about recognized speakers and and socially network with to the Leadership Institute. ‘’I am the successful person.” Schaeffer hopes to see leadership model in leadership with students leadership facilitators peers. youngest board member of the Topeka AWC and if I hadn’t continued growth, greater alumni involvement and future place, learn why the from another culture and alongside student leaders got involved and gained those leadership experiences and scholarship offers. She knows the rest of her graduating particular style is used in are able to expand their from other colleges and This program develops opportunities, I wouldn’t have had the courage to be on the class all feel as strongly about the Leadership Institute as the given situation, and global mindset beyond universities. leadership qualities in Topeka AWC board.” Schaeffer first learned about the she does. “Alumni are very proud of where the Leadership discuss its effectiveness. their home institution. student mentors while Leadership Institute through student orientation and Institute is going and are excited to see where everyone is Students can network creating lasting became a scholarship recipient. While being in the Institute, taking it,” said Schaeffer. Each lab includes an Students have the with other student friendships. she participated on the visioning team. That made being introduction of the opportunity to discuss leaders with similar student to the group or socially responsible interests and aspirations. The PALS program also organization, travel to leadership in a global includes “PALS in the the site, a tour of the context, converse about Community”, a program Calendar of Leadership Events facilities, observation of issues affecting young that pairs Washburn the leadership model leaders today and be upperclassmen with August November employed, and a debrief exposed to social rights leaders in the greater 17- Leadership Institute Advisory Board 11- Hutchinson Correctional Facility Leadership Lab session. issues affecting students See page 5 for a full Topeka community. 15- Leadership Institute Fall Celebration globally. list of conferences 19- International Leadership Student Orientation See page 9 for a list of students have See page 11 for more 25- Leadership Institute Student Director 16- Leadership Institute Advisory Board current labs. See page 7 for details attended information planning meeting 23-25- Thanksgiving Break 27- Leadership Institute Fall Orientation MINOR OR CERTIFICATE IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES December September The minor and certificate are interdisciplinary programs open to undergraduate students in all majors and degree 6- Leadership Institute Holiday Party programs at Washburn. 21- PALS in the Community luncheon 12-16- Finals Students must complete four Leadership courses (LE 100, LE 200, LE 300, LE 400) for the certificate and two 16- Winter Break Begins additional interdisciplinary electives for the minor. The minor is structured with four thematic tracks: Leadership in a Cultural Context, Leadership and Social Change, October Leadership in a Historical/Political Context, and Leadership in Communication, Business, and the Media. Students TBA- Forbes Field Leadership Lab January 2012 choose two electives from one track. 3 & 4- Fall Break The academic curricula teaches students about leadership and, combined with our leadership development programs, 15- Leadership Institute Family Day Brunch 18- Classes resume prepares them to take on any cross-sectoral leadership position in the future. 24-29- Homecoming Week 29- Homecoming Tailgate 4 9 ®

Leadership Conferences Leadership Challenge Event® Champions, sponsored by By Kristen Onions, Lauren Eckert, Shea Kirsop St. Francis Health Center: National Student Leadership Forum National Collegiate Leadership High School Division (Co-Champions) By Kelli Coldiron This year, the Leadership Institute produced the first Conference annual Leadership Challenge Event® on April 7-8. The Hayden High School, Topeka, Kansas By Jon Trotter Independence High School, Independence, Kansas For the second year in a row, Doug and Judy Hall innovative event brought 75 high school and college students to Washburn University to develop their (winners were awarded scholarships from Washburn sponsored Washburn University Leadership Institute The National Collegiate Leadership Conference was created leadership skills and to compete in a unique leadership University Admissions) students to attend the National Student Leadership to inform students about vital societal issues and the competition. The event commenced with a half-day Forum in Washington, D.C.. A yearly event, the National leadership that surrounds them. Throughout the weekend, leadership conference, which consisted of team building College Division Student Leadership Forum is a leadership conference that student attendees were able to participate in service sessions, leadership workshops, and a keynote speaker, Dr. Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, Missouri brings college students together from across the country projects around Tucson. These projects featured the Lee Bolman, who discussed leadership styles and (winners were awarded savings bonds from Intrust Bank) and around importance of working as a team and practicing servant orientations. This was followed by a banquet at the Capitol the world to leadership. The keynote speaker for the conference was focus on the Micaela Connery, a University of Virginia graduate who Joe & Jillain Williams Award for challenges founded Unified Theater, a nonprofit organization that Team Communication student enables kids with disabilities to perform in plays. Connery Washburn Rual/Shawnee Heights High School, leaders face spoke about how her disabled cousin, Kelsey, inspired her Topeka, Kansas and how to initiative. Due to her courageous efforts she pushed overcome forward and was able to establish the Unified Theater. Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas them. Four Connery was the recipient of the VH1 Do Something Award students presented by TV personality Randy Jackson. The weekend Citizens Bank & Trust Award for attended, was full of challenging questions that moved students to Team Collaboration including think in ways that they had never thought before. On the Daphne Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas last day of the conference, all of the participating students Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas Phillips, Lora were paired up with someone they didn’t know and made Biesenthal, over 250 blankets to give out to needy children. All in all, Trang Le the conference was an unforgettable experience, located in Nguyen, and an unforgettable setting. This conference truly represented myself. The servant leadership and is recommended for any student conference wanting to expand his or her horizons. was a great opportunity Plaza Hotel, where Kay Barnes, the former mayor of Kansas to connect City, spoke about what it takes to be a leader initiating with new change. The final day of the event was a competitive friends and leadership simulation, where students from both high students who school and collegiate levels performed leadership roles in shared addressing realistic situations and experiences in a similar levels simulated work environment. That environment was a of passion and desires to hold roles as student leaders. fictional university named Central Kansas University ® Small group time over the weekend allowed building strong (CKU). The LCE participants were assigned positions as bonds and having meaningful conversations about each CKU administrators, such as Vice President of Student Life, person’s perspective of leadership. It was enlightening to Executive Director of Enrollment Management and hear of the common and uncommon challenges that face Executive Director of University Relations. Each Number of Kansas schools: 12 young leaders. The trip involved time spent volunteering, participating team consisted of five students, who during Number of out-of-state schools: 4 listening to several keynote speakers, spending time with the simulation were required to answer emails, Volunteers: 100, representing 49 organizations and 10 a host family, and experiencing the city. I visited the sites attend meetings and interact with role players, such as the Washburn University departments of a city which holds great significance for our country Student Government President, Director of Admissions, Number of rooms used at Washburn: 27 while also learning about myself in the process. As student Student Leadership Conference opportunities Board of Regents member and an angry parent. At the end leaders we all face our own struggles on a daily basis, but in 2011-2012 include (ADD IN LOCATIONS) of the simulation, each team attended a town hall meeting Special Thanks to our Sponsors: BA Designs, it is important to remember there are friends and mentors where they debriefed the public on their leadership plan. BNSF Railway, Capital City Bank, Capitol Federal out there whom we can rely on and learn from at the same Throughout the day judges evaluated how well the team Foundation, Citizens Bank & Trust, Creative Business time. I would be hard-pressed to attend another conference members interacted and how well they presented ® Solutions, Go Topeka EMBD, Heartland Visioning, Hills Pet in which I felt valued as a leader. Our thanks go out to the themselves in meetings and discussion sessions. The LCE Nutrition Inc., Intrust Bank, Joe & Jillain Williams, KTWU, Halls for helping make this conference a reality for us. provided a unique leadership development opportunity Leadership Greater Topeka Class of 2011, Security Benefit unlike any other. The event provided students with both Group, Stormont-Vail HealthCare, St. Francis Health leadership education and an opportunity to practically Center, US Bank, Westar Energy and Washburn University apply their leadership skills. Admissions. 8 5 Leadership Labs Leadership Exchange Forbes Field: Black Hawk Unit Leadership Exchange By Kristen Onions By Blake Bryant

In both the fall and spring semesters, Leadership Institute students were given the opportunity to visit Forbes Field. Captain Joshua Urban of the 1st Battalion 108th Aviation Regiment, gave students a glimpse into what it’s like leading a Black Hawk Unit. The lab began with a dinner consisting of “meals ready to eat,” (MRE) which are easily transported and prepared in the field. Students then toured the facilities and the Black Hawk Helicopters, and observed flight mission training debrief sessions with the four Black Hawk crew. A 30-minute session exhibited a directive, observable leadership structure. Each unit Evacuteer Lab Hutchinson Correctional Facility consisted of its own leadership positions and at the end By Darrin Simmons By Kristen Onions each crew had individual debriefing sessions. During this time, important details were given to all crew members Evacuteer, a non-profit organization stationed in the local regarding the mission. The second set of debriefing Department of Homeland Security in New Orleans, was the The day began with the students’ participation in the sessions included observing additional layers of leadership location for one of the most diverse and interpersonally Warden’s leadership team meeting. The leadership between separate military ranks. Students observed the challenging leadership labs of the 2010-2011 school year. students were then paired with a deputy warden for the flight mission preparation and used night vision goggles to Located in the heart of New Orleans, the leadership lab entire day as they led tours and answered questions. view the Black Hawk launch. The Black Hawk leadership with Evacuteer enabled students who participated in the Students watched the deputy wardens treat the inmates lab was a great opportunity for students to observe an Leadership Exchange to step out of their comfort zone and with respect and equality. Warden Sam Cline expressed active leadership model in a realistic, military setting. challenge their communication skills. After Hurricane how important it is to remember that the men in this Most college students that headed south for Spring Break Katrina in the summer of 2005, Evacuteer was established facility are sons, brothers and fathers. By treating these went to South Padre or Miami. Not true for the nine to help with mandatory evacuations for future natural men fairly, the wardens and employees are given respect Leadership Institute students that packed their bags for disasters. They provide public bus transportation at in return. A strong leadership structure ensures that the New Orleans, Louisiana for spring break. They headed numerous locations throughout the city for those who are expectations, boundaries and rules are visible to all to the University of New Orleans for the first leadership registered. The job for leadership students was to work inmates and staff members and that misbehavior is exchange program. This program was spawned through a their way through thousands of names on call lists and intolerable. This leadership structure encourages collaboration of Washburn Leadership Institute’s Dr. Jaci contact each individual and register them for this service. approachability through the use of respect and equality. Lindburg and Dale O’Neil, the University of New Orleans’ Some students were able to register every person they Students left with a deeper insight into a very different yet coordinator of leadership programs. They wanted to called, while others picked up a few people. The important effective model of leadership. provide college students a new method to observe thing was being able to witness the leadership structure of Downtown Topeka leadership and to challenge the boundaries of college Evacuteer and also the sense of accomplishment that By Daphne Phillips students by exposing them to different cultures and ways of students received knowing that they could have saved lives thinking. The five-day trip consisted of an all day during the evacuation in May from the flooding of the Mississippi River. The Leadership Lab with Evacuteer was Thirteen Leadership students started their afternoon at the conference at UNO, a service project, a leadership lab and a life changing experience, says those who attended, and by Top of the Tower for lunch during which they each sat and the experience of a new culture. For the conference, the far the most student involved lab while also being the most talked with one local leader. Leaders at the lunch included leadership students of each school taught sessions for our culturally diverse. Doug Kinsinger, Shelly Buhler, Jim Ogle, Alissa Sheley, partner university, but also incorporated fun such as Neil Dobler, Paul Bossert, Ken Scott, Michelle Da La Isla Topeka Police Department dancing to the “wobble.” As a service project, students and Connie Cook. Students listened to a presentation for By Leadership Institute painted, rearranged and mulched a playground for a local the plans for the Riverfront and afterwards were bussed elementary charter school. The leadership lab allowed down to the levee and to “NoTo,” also known as North Students started by listening to a presentation by Captain students to witness the complex evacuation process Topeka, where they visited local shops and restaurants. The Darrin Scott about the leadership model at the Topeka during a natural disaster. The lab also included a Katrina group was given exclusive access to the Community Arts Police Department. After the presentation by Captain Scott, tour, where students saw first hand the damage as well Center prior to its opening on May 6. The students’ students observed a Crime Strategy meeting and learned as the resulting drastic change in structure of the greater afternoon ended at Blue Planet where they heard more about intelligence led policing (ILP). The Deputy Police New Orleans area. Plus, staying in the French Quarter, the about the Capital District project, Fast Forward and Top Chief and the Topeka Police Department leadership team students had their fair share of local dining, culture and City Live. Students left with goodie bags filled with discussed the department’s issues and resolutions while shopping. The students that attended the exchange have prizes and treats. “The downtown lab was a great the leadership students observed. A debrief session with strong memories of the food, the camaraderie with students experience and it really opened my eyes to all the wonderful Captain Scott and the students ended their day along with from UNO and the lessons they learned in New Orleans. “It and unique things that Topeka has to offer,” said Rachael an optional ride-along with a member of the force. was very exciting and educational at the same time,” said Hageman, a first year leadership student. Abbi Eggen, a sophomore leadership student. 6 7