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.