February 3, 2012
16th annual K-State Leadership Seminar explores leadership for extraordinary times
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Leadership for the challenges being faced in our state today is the focus of the 16th annual K-State Leadership Seminar, "Leading in Extraordinary Times," from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at the K-State Student Union.
For the first time, the seminar will be videostreamed online to two additional locations, which will have breakout sessions targeted to regional needs. The sessions will be in Olathe and in Great Bend.
For universities, extraordinary times demand that we make our campuses and communities safe for all. For food scientists, those times demand that we enhance the safety and security of our animals and food supply. For rural Kansas, those times demand that our best students find rewarding careers and home life in rural communities.
Leaders can be asked to address situations of many types. Some situations will need an immediate response, requiring quick and effective decision-making. Some will require a detailed look at systemic issues. Then there are the crises that have yet to happen, but require planning and preparation – just in case.
"Leading in Extraordinary Times" will provide the tools for participants to take on today's challenges and give them the training needed to lead the way, whatever the situation. Faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend.
This seminar will give participants:
- Practical, hands-on information and tools.
- Best practices for effective leadership.
- Inspiration to exercise leadership when it really counts.
- An idea of where to go for additional leadership resources.
- A connection to others who are working to grow their leadership skills.
Keynote speaker for the Manhattan seminar is Magistrate Judge Tommy Webb of Kansas, who will present "You Can Make A Difference," which sets the stage for focused sessions on specific skills that leaders can use, such as decision-making, systems thinking, and planning and preparation.
Other speakers include K-State's April Mason, provost and senior vice president; Suzie Fritz, one of the most successful volleyball coaches in K-State history; Heather Reed, K-State associate dean and director of student life; Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, adjutant general of Kansas; Col. William J. Clark, garrison commander at Fort Riley; and Tom Roberts, assistant dean for recruitment and leadership programs at K-State's College of Engineering.
The Olathe session will focus on animal health and safety/risk communications. Speakers include Joye Gordon, K-State associate professor of mass communications and journalism; Jason Ellis, K-State assistant professor of agricultural communication and journalism; and Scott Rusk, director of Pat Roberts Hall at K-State, which houses the Biosecurity Research Institute.
The Great Bend session will focus on rural youth retention and recruitment. Speakers include Carolyn Dunn, Stafford County Economic Development; Jeff Hofaker, Phillips County Economic Development and president of the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance; Mary Jo Taylor, superintendent of USD 349 in Stafford County; Natalie Clark, SEED Center Entrepreneurial Charter School; Elaine Johannes, K-State associate professor and extension specialist in youth development; and Leon Atwell, Kansas Entrepreneurial Communities Initiative.
Visit the seminar website to find out more about the day's activities, additional information on the speakers and to download a seminar brochure.
Early registration -- by March 1 -- is $95 per person; after that the cost is $120. Registration can be done online.
More information also is available by contacting Ron Wilson, chair of the Leadership Seminar Committee, at 785-532-7690 or rwilson@k-state.edu.