Ignite Leadership program new to CMU

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Ignite Leadership will offer students the chance to learn about their individual strengths and weaknesses as well as leadership skills.

The Leadership Institute hosts the three-week program that gives participants the opportunity to take the leadership practices inventory survey. It is taken by each participant, as well as their chosen peers, such as bosses or subordinates, and measures the five elements of Kouzes and Posner’s transformational leadership model.

Those five elements are: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act and encourage the heart.

“Kouzes and Posner were two researchers who went out and interviewed 1,200 people from all walks of life,” said Eric Buschlen, assistant professor of recreation, parks and leisure services. “They asked these people to tell them about when they were at their best.”

Kouzes and Posner took this information and built the transformational leadership model, which is designed to help people succeed in leadership.

The program provides participants with the tools to take action from the survey and teaches them how to lead effectively.

Ignite Leadership is currently accepting 10 sophomores, juniors or seniors into the program.

While the limit was initially because of the cost of the program, it is also best for the program to limit the number of participants so they build a close rapport within their small group, said Dan Gaken, coordinator of the Leadership Institute.

He hopes the program grows to facilitate students in further developing higher level leadership skills and initiatives.

“The program is still in the testing time, but we are looking to expand each year,” said Grand Rapids junior Jamie Herrygers.

Ignite Leadership was started by Herrygers when she was looking to further progress her involvement with the Leadership Institute.

“The program does not include participation in specifically-related CMU courses,” she said. “It is a program of personal self-development.”

Herrygers said she has surpassed her goal of receiving 50 applications for Ignite Leadership. The applications will be narrowed down to 10 through an anonymous process.

The program will be held Feb. 10, 17 and 24. The application for the program is available at cmich.edu. Applications are due on Dec. 2. If selected for the program, applicants will be notified by mid-December.