Leadership academy application deadline approaches

A great opportunity exists for you – but you must act by Sept. 30 to seize it. The Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA) seeks applicants for the 2014 Emerging Leader Program and 2014-15 Leadership Advancement Program. This news release gives details on both programs.

The academy helps develop the next generation of leaders in the areas of communities and food systems, agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing and the environment.

Rita Klavinski, Michigan State University Extension educator in the Health and Nutrition Institute, is a 2008 graduate of the Leadership Advancement Program. Rita believes her time with the academy was time well spent.

Rita said, “The program was a life-changing experience for me, both personally and professionally. The work that I am doing now in community food systems is a direct result from my issues team project. The academy provided a vast array of cutting-edge leadership content and experiences that I continuously use in my leadership roles. Personally, I became more aware of my ability to be an advocate for others and be a servant leader.”

The GLLA will accept applications now through Sept. 30 for both programs at www.glla.msu.edu. Partial scholarships are available from GLLA for both programs to help offset the cost for those with demonstrated need. Direct questions to Vicki Pontz at pontzv@msu.edu or at 517-432-8685.

To learn more, visit www.glla.msu.edu.

Apply for the GLLA Emerging Leader Program by Nov . 15

I’d like to remind you about an important opportunity for enhancing and refining your leadership abilities. The Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA) offers the Emerging Leader Program (ELP), designed for developing individual leadership skills.

The program meets twelve days between April and October 2013. It seeks a diverse group of outstanding candidates representing government, academia, nonprofits and industry to broaden perspectives about key sustainability issues and consider how leadership for the common good can influence Michigan’s future.

The GLLA brings together current and emerging leaders to influence Michigan’s future. It bases its programs on the belief that leadership is a skill needed across many interests and sectors. Leading effectively will aid you in your efforts to contribute toward the common good.

Apply online for the Emerging Leader Program by Nov. 15 at www.glla.msu.edu. Please direct any questions to Vicki Pontz at pontzv@msu.edu or 517-432-8685.

GLLA honors leadership for common good award winner and graduates, kicks off endowment campaign

On June 11, the Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA) held its Graduation Ceremony and Endowment Campaign Kickoff.

In addition, Dr. Russ Mawby, former president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and trustee emeritus of Michigan State University, was honored as the third recipient of the William Milliken Award for Leadership for the Common Good. Dr. Mawby helped to develop the original model for an agricultural leadership program that was funded by the WKKF in the 1960s. It became known as the Kellogg Farmer Study Program that was presented by the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program was replicated in dozens of states and other countries, and gave rise to subsequent leadership programs in Michigan, including the Michigan Agricultural Leadership Program in the 1980s and the Great Lakes Leadership Academy in recent years. Dr. Mawby’s legacy also includes having helped to create the Michigan 4-H Foundation. He and his wife Lou Ann were present at the GLLA banquet to receive the award. A summary of Dr. Mawby’s legacy was captured in this video, produced as an in-kind gift by the Michigan Farm Bureau.

Three MSU Extension colleagues were recognized as recent graduates of GLLA programs:

Sonia Joseph Joshi, outreach specialist for Michigan Sea Grant Extension and the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, graduated from the Leadership Advancement Program.

Bethany Prykucki, Extension educator, and Dixie Sandborn, 4-H horticulture specialist, graduated from the Emerging Leader Program.

The mission of the GLLA Leadership Advancement Program is to promote positive change, economic vitality and resource conservation, and enhance the quality of life in Michigan by encouraging leadership for the common good. The program is designed for those who are preparing for top leadership positions.

The Emerging Leader Program is a leadership development initiative designed to equip individuals who are interested in their community and the food systems and agricultural, natural resources and environment, and business and manufacturing sectors with tools for successful leadership.

Vicki Pontz, GLLA director, announced the launch of the Capital Campaign for an endowment to support the ongoing success of GLLA. With a goal of $2.5 million, Vicki announced more than $400,000 in gifts and pledges to launch the campaign. The plan is to reach the campaign goal over the next year. With these initial gifts, the campaign is getting off to a great start.

Congratulations to Dr. Mawby, to our graduates and to Vicki for a great evening of celebration!

Emerging Leader Program develops individual leadership skills

I’m happy to get another chance to invite leaders and potential leaders to consider getting involved in the Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Conducted by the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the academy has a mission to “promote positive change, economic vitality and resource conservation, and to enhance the quality of life in Michigan by encouraging leadership for the common good.”

 The academy brings together current and emerging leaders to broaden perspectives about key sustainability issues and consider how leadership for the common good can influence Michigan’s future. I wrote more about the academy in an August 2010 blog entry.

 You could be one of those leaders. Designed for developing individual leadership skills, the Emerging Leader Program meets 12 days between April and October in 2012. The academy seeks a diverse group of outstanding candidates interested in vitalizing Michigan communities, agriculture, business or environmental sectors and in growing their public policy work.

If you are interested in learning more about the Great Lakes Leadership Academy, either for your own interest or for others with whom you interact who are good candidates, you can check it out online at www.glla.msu.edu where you can also apply for the Emerging Leader Program. The deadline for applications is Nov. 15, 2011. Your leadership journey will begin in April 2012.

 For more information, contact Vicki Pontz at pontzv@msu.edu or 517-432-8685.

Great Lakes Leadership Academy builds leadership capacity – for the common good

Leadership for the common good is a driving principle behind the Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA). Among the hallmarks of GLLA programs is the sense that leadership is a skill set that is needed across many interests and many sectors in Michigan. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a Michigan State University Extension educator, a business owner, a farmer, an aspiring politician, a faculty member, a support staff member, a board member of a local non-profit organization, a health care provider, a factory worker or supervisor, being able to lead (and follow) effectively greatly increases your ability to contribute to Michigan’s revitalization.

 Now is a great time to consider refining and enhancing your leadership abilities by participating in leadership training, and GLLA has two programs to offer.

 The Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA) is a program designed to bring together current and emerging leaders in government, academia, non-profits and industry to broaden perspectives about key sustainability issues and consider how leadership for the common good can influence Michigan’s future.

 The Emerging Leader Program (ELP) meets twelve days between January and July and is designed for developing individual leadership skills. The program seeks a diverse group of outstanding candidates representing the varied interests mentioned above.

 The Leadership Advancement Program (LAP) consists of 12 sessions over an 18-month period with additional time committed to complete individual application and group assignments. The curriculum is designed to provide intense, hands-on experiences through work on Issues Teams, facilitated workshops, panel discussions, tours and group exercises. The capstone of the GLLA program is a 10-day international trip to learn about selected issues at the global level. The participants determine the trip’s location and itinerary.

 If you are interested in learning more about the Great Lakes Leadership Academy, you can check it out and apply online at www.glla.msu.edu. If you know others in your community whom you think would benefit from one of these programs, please pass along information on GLLA to them. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2010, with the next ELP and LAP programs beginning in January 2011.

 Please direct any questions to Vicki Pontz at pontzv@msu.edu or 517-432-8685.