LEAD IU offers courses to promote leadership

High school classes and college courses. Anxious freshmen and tired seniors.

Though these seem different, a new IU program, LEAD IU, combines all these stages of the transition into college by teaching students the importance of leadership.

Because of the differences between high school classes and college lecture halls, most freshmen hesitate to participate in organizations.

“It’s not a scary thing to get involved in,” said Annie Raeder, junior and president of the Panhellenic Association. “Instead of a scary call-out meeting, you go to class where the instructors really focus on the values of organizations through guided group discussion.”

This program is varied in the levels of experience among students involved. It attracts students from a variety of class levels from freshmen to fifth-year seniors, said Jeremiah Shinn, associate director of student activities for LEAD IU.

Assistant director of Leadership and Orientation within the program Sarah Nagy described it as a starting point for students who might be confused about their strengths and their futures.

The Emerging Leader Program, intended for freshmen, has been a success, Nagy said.

The program is based on guided discussion among new students that will hopefully lead to freshmen engaging in campus-wide service opportunities, she said.

LEAD IU classes, such as U495: Seminar in Leadership Training, are meant to create a shared understanding of leadership and what it means to be a leader on campus.

“The classes are seen in a ‘step in, step out’ manner,” Shinn said. “If you don’t see yourself in a leadership position, you can try something new. That’s the unique thing about LEAD IU – we built it so there is something for everyone.”

Those involved said LEAD IU provides an opportunity for students to hone their leadership skills and that it encourages students to get involved in campus events.

“I made friends within my group and felt better about myself as an example to others in
the greek system,” Raeder said, referring to the retreat.

Shinn said students are responding positively to activities so far, but because LEAD IU is so new, the developers find themselves needing more time to get to know the students and the activities they enjoy.

Described as a “clearing house” for students, Nagy said students would benefit from getting involved with LEAD IU to help clear their paths to the future.

“You can’t operate in a bubble when accepting a leadership role,” Nagy said. “You have to really want it and realize the responsibility.”