Leadership for Change encourages an inside-out development process to enhance the way each participant views themselves, the Vassar Community, and the world beyond. Our goals are based on the seven values of the Social Change Model of Leadership, which was created in 1996 by “the working ensemble” of professionals gathered by the Higher Education Research Institute. These values include consciousness of self and others, congruency, commitment, collaboration, common purpose, controversy with civility, and citizenship.

Consisteing of a series of workshops, this cross-campus initiative strives to meet a variety of needs, including fostering leadership skills of emerging leaders, instilling current leaders with practical techniques, and encouraging advanced leaders to become effective change agents beyond Vassar’s walls. Participants will engage in a track-based series of workshops designed to enhance skill and promote personal development. The three tracks of this program represent the levels and perspectives of leadership development as expressed in the Social Change Model of Leadership: the individual (Emerging), the group (Student Organizations), and the community/society (Social Consciousness).

Program Details

Any Vassar student is invited to join one or more of the tracks associated with this program. Successful completion of the track(s) will require attendance at five or more sessions from the designated track(s). Each track will meet at the same time weekly. If you are unable to complete a track this semester, your attendance will carry over to a future semester. Leadership for Change is offered every semester.

Additionally, any Vassar student can attend individual workshops at any time without being registered for a specific track of the program. Students who are interested in self-development and leadership skill training are especially encouraged to participate.

Three Track Program

-Emerging Leaders Track-

The Emerging Leader track focuses on leadership development for the individual. This track is geared towards students who are interested in acquiring the basic skills needed to be an effective new leader while recognizing and utilizing the skills one already possess. The objectives for the track include self-reflection, encouraging involvement, providing networking opportunities, increasing self-awareness, and understanding leadership in inclusive environments.

-Student Organization Track-

The Student Organization Track focuses on leadership development for the group. This track is geared towards students who are currently leaders of a student organization on campus and includes practical applications for organization success and self care. The objectives for the track include sustaining leadership development, creating continuity within their organization, developing practical skills, raising awareness of campus resources, and providing networking opportunities across organizations.

-Social Consciousness Track-

The Social Consciousness Track focuses on leadership development for the community/society. This track is intended for advanced leaders who seek various perspectives on cultural competency, community involvement, and general applications of these practices. The objectives for this track include service learning, understanding multicultural viewpoints, and providing resources and opportunities to encourage off campus involvement.

Questions? E-mail: lfc@vassar.edu

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Fall 2009 Workshop Schedule:

Tuesday September 8: Leadership Styles, Sam Charner, CC 237, 6:00-7:00pm
Leadership styles can be as different as personality traits. This workshop will help you figure out your own leadership styles, the strengths and weaknesses of them, and how to work best with others.

Tuesday September 15: Creating an Effective Mission Statement, Terry Quinn, CC237, 6:00-7:00pm
"If you don't know where you're going, it doesn't matter which way you go!" ~Lewis Carroll. Know where your organization is going by creating an effective and meaningful mission statement. Come learn the best practices in writing a mission statement, as well as what the main goals of writing one should be. This will be an interactive session, so bring your ideas!

Tuesday September 22: Effective Organization Management, Akiko Yamaguchi, CC237, 6:00-7:00pm
The key to managing a successful student group is effective organization and balancing the needs of the members while fulfilling your mission and goals. Learn how to motivate members, manage organization information, and how to increase awareness of your efforts.

Tuesday September 29: Defining My Values as a Leader, Jess Bennett, CC237, 6:00-7:00pm
Values guide your actions and decision making throughout your life, including your role as a leader. This session will reflect on how to define your values and how they impact the direction you take as a leader in your organization.

Wednesday October 28: Opening a Vassar Discourse, Ed Pittman, CC237, 6:00-7:00pm
Throughout your college experience you will encounter individuals and groups with different backgrounds and belief systems than your own. Opening discourse is important not only to enhance your personal learning and increase your awareness, but to also develop yourself as a conscientious community member.

Wednesday November 4: How to be an Ally, Michelle Jackson, CC237, 6:00-7:00pm
To be an effective leader and ally you must be supportive of the surrounding communities even if it is not one you personally identify with. The process of becoming an ally begins with familiarizing yourself with issues, histories, and languages of various identities. This workshop will discuss how to create a safe space and become an advocate for those that may not have a voice.

Wednesday November 11: Community Outreach, Renee Pabst, CC237, 6:00-7:00pm
Community service -- giving of your time and self to others -- can be a statement of the values you hold deeply, whether these values be of social justice, environmental sustainability, or giving to others around you. It can also be a way to hone your leadership skills beyond the campus setting. This workshop hopes to help you engage in more meaningful, mindful service on and off campus.