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Leadership Opportunity for Female Graduate Students
Posted 9/24/2009
Submitted by
Jennifer Sanborn
"Leading Forward," a new leadership program, is being offered to female graduate students during the Spring 2010 semester. The goal is to attract an integrated mix of full-time, part-time and international students. Participants will investigate their leadership potential and fine tune their skills.
"Leading Forward" is made possible through a grant from The Women's Education and Leadership Fund (WELFund). Program organizers see great potential in reaching out to this particular population. "Statistics show that when women are in leadership positions, organizations benefit financially and culturally," said Associate Professor of Communication Susan Grantham. "However, women often take a different route to these positions and even postpone their participation due to other demands."
"Leading Forward" is a series of six sessions that will explore individuals' leadership styles, goal setting, and communication strategies, among other topics. Each participant will have a mentor who is a member of the University of Hartford community. The hope is that the group dynamic will provide a cohort experience for these women, and that they can continually go back to one another for support.
"This program is an outgrowth of the Laura Johnson Initiative, a leadership program for women faculty and staff at the University," explained Grantham. "We were so appreciative of the opportunity that we wanted to share that same experience with other women. Female graduate students seemed to be a logical choice because, as graduate students, these students have already shown that they have an in-depth interest in their respective fields. Many graduate students are already working full time, and that is why we want to make sure to include diverse participants."
As is often the case with any new opportunity, there is a greater need to inform potential participants. "We are relying on instructors to identify students they feel would have an interest in the program and let them know about it," said Grantham. "Word-of-mouth is the best type of communication and we think this is a great opportunity for the students."
Students interested in participating in this program can read a program overview and download the application by going to www.hartford.edu/WELF and clicking on the Leading Forward Leadership Program link at the top of the page.
Applications are due by noon on October 12, 2009, and should be e-mailed to Grantham@hartford.edu. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Grantham at 768-4016 or Grantham@hartford.edu.
"Leading Forward" is made possible through a grant from The Women's Education and Leadership Fund (WELFund). Program organizers see great potential in reaching out to this particular population. "Statistics show that when women are in leadership positions, organizations benefit financially and culturally," said Associate Professor of Communication Susan Grantham. "However, women often take a different route to these positions and even postpone their participation due to other demands."
"Leading Forward" is a series of six sessions that will explore individuals' leadership styles, goal setting, and communication strategies, among other topics. Each participant will have a mentor who is a member of the University of Hartford community. The hope is that the group dynamic will provide a cohort experience for these women, and that they can continually go back to one another for support.
"This program is an outgrowth of the Laura Johnson Initiative, a leadership program for women faculty and staff at the University," explained Grantham. "We were so appreciative of the opportunity that we wanted to share that same experience with other women. Female graduate students seemed to be a logical choice because, as graduate students, these students have already shown that they have an in-depth interest in their respective fields. Many graduate students are already working full time, and that is why we want to make sure to include diverse participants."
As is often the case with any new opportunity, there is a greater need to inform potential participants. "We are relying on instructors to identify students they feel would have an interest in the program and let them know about it," said Grantham. "Word-of-mouth is the best type of communication and we think this is a great opportunity for the students."
Students interested in participating in this program can read a program overview and download the application by going to www.hartford.edu/WELF and clicking on the Leading Forward Leadership Program link at the top of the page.
Applications are due by noon on October 12, 2009, and should be e-mailed to Grantham@hartford.edu. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Grantham at 768-4016 or Grantham@hartford.edu.
