The LeaderShape Institute is a national leadership-training program now in its fifth year partnering with the University as a U of M LEAD initiative.  Offered to 50-60 students immediately following each spring semester, it utilizes an integrity-based curriculum to build visionary leaders who have “a healthy disregard for the impossible.”  The dates for 2012 are May 6-11.

Participants are purposefully chosen from varied backgrounds, ages, and levels of leadership experience to encourage interaction that transverses the University.  Students take part in six days of intensive training at a local camp, culminating the program with the development and implementation of a personal vision statement for improving an organization or community.

A unique experience in the middle of LeaderShape is a night for participants to visit with members of the community, who are having a positive impact on the people and institutions around them.  During that evening, formally known as the Guest Leader Forum, students first hear from all guest leaders on a single panel; they then break into smaller conversation circles of 8-10 students per guest.  This year’s Forum will be the evening of May 8, and we are in the process of seeking community leaders to share with the students.

At the conclusion of this year’s session, the U of M will have over 250 graduates who have gone on or will accept the responsibility to positively impact University and our city and region.   Graduates have started new student service organizations, become Student Government officers, collaborated with non-profits, and joined local and national service organizations. The University takes tremendous pride in its ability to host a session of LeaderShape®, and with it and our other LEAD programs, we will continue to develop our next generation of leaders. 

If you are interested in getting involved with LeaderShape^®, please contact:

Justin Lawhead
Associate Dean for Student Leadership and Involvement
Office of Student Leadership and Involvement
jtlawhed@memphis.edu
(901) 678-2094