University leadership program expanding

by Becca Manning
For The Post

This spring, Ohio University will double its efforts to develop students’ leadership skills.

The College of Education will offer two sections of the Dynamics in Organizational Leadership course, EDCP 400, instead of a single section, said Becky Bushey-Miller, assistant director of student activities for leadership development programs and student organizations.

Bushey-Miller and graduate assistant Debbie London will teach the first section.

The second section will focus on the role of leadership in the greek community and will be taught by Bushey-Miller and Scott Copley, assistant director of student activities for fraternity and sorority affairs.

OU senior Beth Johnson, president of the Chi Omega Sorority last year, is enrolled.

"Sometimes (greek) houses have very similar issues to face and they feel like there's no one to talk to," Johnson said. "This way they can talk to each other."

The class first was offered as an annual course in 1994, Bushey-Miller said. As interest increased, it was made available every quarter.

The program, offered through the Division of Student Affairs, started in 1984. It consists of several student groups that organize leadership workshops and activities on campus, Bushey-Miller said.

The OU Leadership Ambassadors – also called ASPIRE – coordinates Emerging Leader Program workshops designed to engage students in their interests while training them to be leaders, Bushey-Miller said.

This spring, the ASPIRE team will coordinate an Experiential Leadership program. Workshop details are not set, but possible activities include rappelling, a ropes course or white-water rafting, which would be free for participants, Bushey-Miller said.

Another group, the Peer Leadership Consultants, helps student organization members develop effective communication, goal setting and team-building skills, she said.

The group held an introductory workshop Feb. 12 in Baker University Center. A member from each of about 340 on-campus student organizations was invited, but 40 attended the meeting, London said.

"We were pleased with the turn out," said London, who works with the PLC.

Funding for the leadership programs comes mainly from the budget for the Division of Student Affairs, said Bushey-Miller, who would not specify the programs' allotted amount.

But the Emerging Leader Program is funded through OU’s niche programming fund, she said.

About 175 students now participate in OU leadership projects. Bushey-Miller said she would like to see even more students involved.

"It is important that people be exposed to leadership development," she said. "It is beneficial at any age."