Service Leaders Corps

Each fall I run a program called Service Leaders Corps (SLC).  This fall we will enroll our ninth class.  While the mission and purpose of the program remains the same, the content has evolved in order to appropriately challenge our students.   The students that are selected for SLC are highly motivated to discover new ways of considering social issues.  They have a deep interest in learning about the public sector from accomplished leaders.  The students are inquisitive and thoughtful.  They are quick to ask questions and just as able to respond to a prompt.

This year I will enroll 23 students from an applicant pool of close to 100.  The distribution of sophomores, juniors and seniors is nearly equal.  Many are graduates of the Sharpe Community Partnership Program and it is no surprise that each year our most dedicated and thoughtful members previously participated in the Sharpe program.

The program spans a 10 week period from September to November.  Each week students hear from and interact with a different speaker.  Examples include: Dr. Fred Ward, Robert Egger (DC Central Kitchen), Dr. Bruce Main (President of Urban Promise ), Wendy Kopp (president of Teach for America) and Dr. Jody Olsen (Previously Interim Director of the Peace Corps).  Guests generally discuss their career path, current leadership role, challenges, opportunities, skills gained, and offer a variety of recommendations for leading in the public or non-profit sector before opening up the program for discussion.

I ask that presenters speak for 45 minutes and then ask a question that is intended to prompt discussion.  It may require that each student reflect on a component of the talk, on his/her aspirations, or his/her view of leadership.  This generally lasts from 20-45 minutes depending on the topic.

This year we are reading the book “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausche.  I am asking each presenter to offer a few tidbits of advice on living a values driven life, principles for good living or life lessons learned.   This can be a component of the presentation or separate.  It can be offered with a handout if time does not allow for a more formal presentation.

It is my hope that by the end of the 10 week program each student has a better sense of his/her leadership skills but also a better sense of self, a better sense of purpose and a directed manner in which to pursue a passion.  While the path itself will not be paved, the suitcase with which to pursue will be fuller.

This afternoon I met with three graduates of SLC.  Brad Potter, Rosh Patel and Meghan Dunne participated in the program in 2007.  Our lunch conversation started with typical chatter about life and work but soon moved to topics of citizenship, participation in democracy, and how service plays a pivitol role in devloping a sense of purpose.  When we departed and I walked back to my office I was ONCE AGAIN REMINDED OF THE UNIQUELY TALENTED STUDENTS THAT CALL W&M HOME.  It is an honor to live and learn alongside such devoted and intelligent young men and women.  I can hardly wait for SLC 2008 to start.