If you’ve been at Chatham for one day, you know women’s leadership is a critical element of every class, extracurricular and event. Whether you dream of running for office or just want to rock your next group project, Chatham offers plenty of opportunities to be get hands-on leadership training.
1. Student Organization & Leadership Retreat
Held for five hours on a Friday evening, the Student Organization & Leadership Retreat offers workshops on everything from spiritual wellness to social media. Students hear a keynote speech over dinner (this year’s speaker was Dean Waite), then dive into a speed networking session with CSG and student org reps. The night ends with the first Student Organization Forum of the year: an opportunity for everyone to share their hopes for the future of extracurricular life. If you’re thinking about launching a club, this is the time to meet the Student Affairs staff and find out how to be successful. If you didn’t get a chance to participate this fall, be sure to check your myChatham calendar in summer 2015 so you can join the fun next year.
2. The Emerging Leaders Institute
Selected applicants are treated to a semester of networking and training. Devised by Student Affairs staff, the curriculum empowers students to devise solutions to social issues of personal significance. For first years, this is a fantastic introduction to campus and community stakeholders. For more experienced Cougars, it’s an opportunity to strengthen ties at Chatham while cementing valuable problem-solving skills. A highlight of the trip? E.L.I. participants are invited to travel as a group to Washington, D.C. over Fall Break for full immersion into the realm of political leadership. Though the E.L.I. Class of Fall 2014 is full, contact Student Affairs to find out when applications will open for the next session.
Photo: Chatham University Pinterest
3. Women of the World (W.O.W.) Retreat
The W.O.W. Retreat sends a small group of students to Eden Hall for a weekend of serious bonding. Lectures, conversations and training exercises are balanced out with skits, games and wacky fun. If you’d like to learn more about this spring semester escape, read our interview with past participants (and HC Chatham team members!) Catherine Giles and Shannon Ward.
Photo courtesy of Catherine Giles and Shannon Ward
4. NEW Leadership Pennsylvania™
Hosted by the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University, NEW Leadership brings women from across the state to campus for a week of intensive advocacy training. Held in early June, the program costs are covered by each participant’s university, giving students the chance to live on campus for the duration of the program. A Practitioner-in-Residence guides the group through an experience packed with lectures, panels, and discussions. All students take a trip to Harrisburg to meet politicians working on the issues they care about, and the program ends with the presentation of student capstone projects to a panel of experts. NEW Leadership 2015 applications go live this fall – visit the website to stay up-to-date on deadlines. Want to know more about the experience? Read a reflection by past participant and HC Chatham team member Julie Victain.
Photo courtesy of Julie Victain
These four initiatives are specifically focused on leadership, but there are many opportunities to learn more – from joining CSG to becoming an OL or RA. What’s your favorite leadership training program at Chatham?