Suzanne Gagnon is program director for the the President’s Student Leadership Program.
Leaders creating new leaders
Meeting the challenges of leadership in critical sectors of our economy and society
On Jan. 14, 2019, a new leadership development program at the University of Manitoba opened to applications. Unique in Canada and of strategic importance to Manitoba’s business and economy, the program will develop leaders across various industries, helping them better address our Province’s significant challenges.
The Institute for Leadership Development in the Asper School of Business will run its first cohort of the President’s Student Leadership Program beginning in June 2019. Participants from diverse backgrounds and experience will gain a broad perspective on leadership, including ethical implications, problem solving, the role of leaders in social change, and the challenges of leading in critical sectors of our economy and society.
This program is designed for students already active as leaders in their community who are looking to improve their skills and more fully achieve their potential
Suzanne Gagnon, program director, explains: “This program is designed to guide the participants to thrive in their careers, no matter what field or discipline. They will learn from top leaders in Manitoba about some of their biggest leadership issues and opportunities, and how these leaders confronted those challenges. Students will learn firsthand from these site visits as well as hands-on workshops, and collaborate with their program peers in different walks of life, disciplines, and backgrounds, to gain insight into what they have learned and develop more advanced and broader perspectives as leaders both now and for the future.”
Students will examine contemporary leadership issues and engage with locally and internationally renowned leaders from social services to the arts, Indigenous leadership, the justice system, healthcare, IT and construction and trades.
“This program is designed for students already active as leaders in their community who are looking to improve their skills and more fully achieve their potential. We want students who know how to collaborate and partner, and want to learn more,” says Gagnon. “It will help you move from good, to better, to best.”
The President’s Student Leadership Program is open to students of all faculties and colleges at the University of Manitoba. It is also open to students of the partner schools: of the University of Winnipeg, Red River College and University College of the North. The long-term plan is for the program to be open to all post-secondary institutions in Manitoba. Admission to the program will be based on a combination of a student’s leadership experience and potential, demonstrated by their leadership commitment and impact to-date, and will reflect Manitoba’s diverse population and student body.
The program will accept a maximum of 28 postsecondary students (70 per cent from the U of M and 30 per cent from the partner schools), and the application process is open only from Jan. 14, 2019, to Feb. 25, 2019. Applicants should be half-way through their academic program but not in their final year.