University of Indianapolis launches leadership program for high school sophomores
INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Indianapolis is launching a leadership development program for Indiana high school sophomores next month with a statewide discussion that will bring together more than 275 high school sophomores from around the region with interests in technology, business, environment and sports.
The event, “Embracing the Future,” hosted by University of Indianapolis Visiting Fellow and former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, will promote leadership skills by encouraging students to embrace change in a positive way; and is one of series of initiatives throughout the year designed to prepare the next generation of Indiana’s leaders. Students who attend will have been nominated by their high schools.
“Learning to deal with change and not being afraid of failure are essential leadership qualities that are crucial to successful careers and lives,” Ballard said. “This event is designed to raise awareness of these issues as students consider potential careers and the impact they want to have on the world.”
The sessions focus on influential leaders from a variety of local industries. Topics include the “Future of Sports,” “Innovation,” “Fail Fest: Celebrating Failure’s Role in Innovation” and “Oil and National Security.”
In addition to “Embracing the Future,” University initiatives such as the Lugar Academy encourage high school students to pursue skills in leadership and service. Retired Sen. Richard Lugar, who has hosted the Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders on campus for more than 40 years, works with students to identify the most pressing current events and political issues of our time.
Ballard, the former two-term Republican mayor of Indianapolis, now serves as a Visiting Fellow for the Institute for Civic Leadership and Mayoral Archives at the University of Indianapolis. He mentors students and creates programming to help them develop leadership and civic management skills.
The goal of the Institute is to connect the community with Indianapolis’ civic history by working closely with previous mayors and their staffs to collect and preserve photos, documents and other resources that were critical in establishing Indianapolis as a world-class city. The Mayoral Archives are available digitally at uindy.historyit.com. The Institute hosts the annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership each year at the University, at which civic leaders and community builders examine a topic important to the future growth of the city.
Nomination details
Teachers and administrators are encouraged to nominate three outstanding sophomore students from their respective high schools who have an interest in technology, business, sports or the environment. Click here to submit nominations. All successful nominees will be contacted in February.
Ballard will deliver a keynote address, and students may choose to attend two afternoon sessions that touch on topics important to their personal and professional futures. The “Embracing the Future” event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. , Saturday, March 3, in the Ransburg Auditorium of Esch Hall, 1400 E. Hanna Ave.
Learn more about the event.
