Leadership Program Charitable Gift Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Minor in Leadership Studies
Pending final approval by the State Board of Education, this new academic minor will help prepare students for leadership within and beyond college. This collaborative partnership between the College of Arts & Sciences (with the Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies as the academic home) and the Division of Student Affairs will provide a new 21-credit interdisciplinary Minor in Leadership Studies. Three new core courses will be offered for a total of nine credits, with the remaining 12 credits chosen from selected emphasis courses already offered. All undergraduate students in the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business (especially Management majors), and students in other colleges with elective credits are the primary targeted audiences.
Based on its preliminary model for this minor, ISU’s Leadership Program was selected as one of 17 schools (from over 100 university applications nationwide) to participate in the National Leadership Education Project and Symposium, funded by the Ford Foundation and held at the University of Colorado in 2000. This event helped lay the groundwork for ISU’s proposed new minor.
Resource Needs: Funding for an endowed or supported chair for the Interdisciplinary Minor in Leadership Studies. This position would coordinate, promote, and track participants in the minor, and teach core courses.
Estimated Cost: a one-time donation of $2 to $5 million (endowed chair position funded by interest on the principal) or annual support donations of $100,000.
Sponsoring/Naming Opportunities: Negotiable.
ISU Retreat Center
Many universities in our region, and nationwide, own or have access to facilities for retreats. The purpose of these retreats can range from strategic planning to team building. ASISU student government typically travels off campus to rental facilities for one to two retreats each year to identify priorities, clarify common goals, and build relationships. Many university departments do the same.
Resource Needs: Retreat facilities should ideally be within 50-100 miles of Pocatello, although greater distances would be considered. An ideal facility would have space for meeting rooms, group activities, and dining. Space for sleeping and outdoor activities would be optional.
Estimated Cost: Varies with size and scope of facility, and whether they are donated to the university or loaned out for use by the university (such as a hotel, large home, camp, or cabin).
Sponsoring/Naming Opportunities: Available.
Leadership Symposium
The annual ISU Leadership Symposium is a one-day event (typically during October of each year) held in Pocatello, preceded by a condensed afternoon version on the previous day in Idaho Falls. This annual event provides a focus on themes of “ethics” and “character.” Featured speakers have come from national organizations such as the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership and the Josephson Institute on Ethics (home of the Character Counts! program).
Resource Needs: Sponsor a speaker and/or meals and refreshments.
Estimated Cost: Speaker fees and expenses range from $4,000-$8,000 per year. Meals and refreshments for participants cost $2,000-$3,000.
Sponsoring/Naming Opportunities: Available.
Leadership Academy
The ISU Leadership Academy is a prestigious semester-long, non-credit program focused on offering leadership attribute training in a workshop-style learning environment. Program participants gain insight into their own leadership ability through fun, hands-on learning and interaction with leaders from campus and the community.
The Leadership Academy is held each spring semester on nine Thursday nights. These Thursday night work sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately three hours. The typical session format consists of a guest speaker during the first hour, an interactive learning session during the second hour, and small group work on a service learning project during the third hour. Guest speakers have included the Mayor, university faculty and staff, members of state government, and local business leaders. Community service projects have included a zoo clean-up, senior center renovation, and development of a Bannock House fitness center.
ISU Leadership Academy involvement requires current ISU enrollment (sophomore or junior status preferred, although other class levels will be considered as space allows), a GPA at or above 2.0, and a strong interest in personal leadership development. Involvement in a past or present leadership role is encouraged, as well as a commitment to attend all nine Academy events. The ISU Leadership Academy also requires that applicants must be nominated by an ISU faculty, staff, or student.
Resource Needs: Dinner and reception for opening event, refreshments at seven work sessions during the semester (spring only), and an awards banquet as the closing ceremony. Briefcases, framed certificates, and lapel pins are provided to Academy participants. A token gift is provided to guest speakers. A $100 budget is given to each community service project work group.
Estimated Cost: $2,000-5,000 each spring semester, depending on the number of Academy participants.
Sponsoring/Naming Opportunities: Available.