AT&T supports student leadership program
Archived article from Nov 12, 1999
By Pam Orel
An interdisciplinary Student Leadership Development Program coordinated by the Office for Quality and Communication Improvement (QCI) and developed by faculty and students from various units is under way thanks to an AT&T Foundation grant.
The initiative, now in the planning stages, "will build on and enhance the many excellent leadership skills programs currently offered through individual colleges," said Joseph J. Seneca, university vice president for academic affairs.
The first course to come out of the program, "The Leadership Seminar," will be offered by the department of communication at the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies in the spring semester and is being developed with the input of student leaders from throughout the university. Future plans include additional courses and a possible certificate program.
"This program will give students an opportunity to combine theory and research from a variety of academic perspectives with pragmatic skills gained through leadership roles in university and other organizations," said Brent D. Ruben, professor of communication, executive director of QCI and the coordinator of the leadership project.
Phil Scanlan, vice president of quality for AT&T, feels very strongly about the need for leadership development in higher education. "Few topics are as important as leadership, and we are particularly pleased to contribute to Rutgers' efforts to prepare the best possible leaders for the new millennium."
The AT&T grant extends a working partnership with QCI that has existed since 1994. In accepting the grant on behalf of the university, Christine Haska, vice president for institutional research and planning, described the program as "one that will add an important dimension to the preparation of our students for the challenges that lie ahead."
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