Randolph Community College will hold its first Student Leadership Academy this spring on Saturday, April 12. Around 18-20 students will be selected to attend the Academy, which will feature topics such as "What is Leadership," "Personality Type and Leadership Style," "Ethics and Leadership," and "Crisis Leadership." The keynote speaker will be Dr. Robert C. Keys, who has been president of Rockingham Community College in Wentworth since 1996.
Another featured speaker will be Dr. James E. Coleman Jr., professor of law at Duke University, who will speak on leadership in crisis situations.
Student leadership development was one of several priority initiatives identified by Dr. Robert Shackleford when he became president of RCC in January 2007. "In addition to offering student leadership opportunities through student organizations at RCC, we wanted to add an extra dimension in the form of a dynamic, intensive student leadership training experience for a select group of students who would be chosen through a competitive process," said Dr. Shackleford. "Not just a learning experience, the Leadership Academy is designed to reward those students who give their best to RCC and show the potential for becoming leaders in society."
The Academy will offer students the opportunity to learn about leadership from local and regional leaders. Participants will also have the chance to identify their own leadership styles and learn how to use that information effectively. Students will create a personal portfolio, which will be reviewed by Human Resource professionals who will give feedback to assist in developing more professional polish. The student with the highest quality portfolio presentation will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon. The day will conclude as students hear about specific opportunities for leadership in Randolph County. Students who complete the Leadership Academy will be recognized at graduation.
Interested students must fill out an application
form and ask a faculty member to submit a sealed letter of reference that addresses their leadership potential. Faculty members may write reference letters for more than one applicant. Any student enrolled in a curriculum program at RCC is eligible to apply. Students may obtain an application form from their instructor or click
here to download a pdf of the application form. Applications must be turned in to Rose Chilson, assistant to the vice president of student services, by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8.
