LOOK to Ohio: Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders Today
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Date
2018-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Office of Outreach and Engagement
Abstract
LOOK (Leadership Opportunities for Organizational Knowledge) to Ohio is focused on three components: an Ohio State leadership course, place-based education and service learning. The program for high school students includes 10 monthly themed, place-based days at sites throughout the county. The curriculum for this innovative program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. Attendees will learn how place-based youth leadership programming builds community partnerships, makes connections with multiple governmental levels, integrates local leaders as volunteers, supports meaningful relationships that lead to emergent careers, and encourages young talent to remain in or return to local communities. Participants will collaborate with others and utilize LOOK as an outreach and engagement tool to build a resourceful youth leadership program in their part of the university community.
Description
Why youth leadership? Community needs assessment data shows employers and community members wish to see youth thrive in their communities and remain after pursuing higher education. Youth leadership development programs allow youth access to these skills. Youth leadership helps to improve the economic vitality of a community as well as health and wellness, through integration of stewardship, leadership and friendship. These programs aid in developing ethical, effective leadership skills at all ages, and to deploy those skills for the betterment of the community, businesses, social services organizations, government entities, faith-based organizations, and families; to make a significant positive impact. Leaders are needed wherever there are groups of people. Theorists have explored leadership as a "trait or ability, a skill or a behavior and a relationship or process" (Northouse, 2012, p. 9). Leadership development is ultimately self-development, and can be enhanced in a variety of settings. Youth today interact in a variety of place-based, community settings with teachers, coaches, sponsors, employers and leaders. In all these settings, youth are expected to work through projects and solve practical problems at the personal, familial and community level, (Gallagher, 2012). LOOK (Leadership Opportunities for Organizational Knowledge) to Ohio is focused on three components: an OSU leadership course, place-based education and service learning. The program for high school students includes 10 monthly, themed place-based days at sites throughout the county. Place-based education allows students to raise awareness of topics such as creating healthy lifestyles. Instructors include experts from all four program areas in the county, region, and state. These connections with business leaders, commissioners, law enforcement and legislatures are keys to success. In addition to The Ohio State University, local collaboration occurs with the University of Cincinnati and other community colleges. The curriculum for this innovative program is offered in collaboration with The Ohio State University main campus, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership, allowing students to earn college credit through The Ohio Academy Program. Partnerships and collaborations are the "trademark" for the program. Instructors include all county-based Extension educators: 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, community development, and family and consumer sciences. Each of the place-based theme day sessions include local leaders involved in guided, experiential instruction-based on locally identified topics that expose all dimensions of leadership and encompass the six impacts of community leadership development: personal growth and efficacy, community commitment, shared future and purpose, community knowledge, civic engagement, social cohesion (Pigg, 2015).
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Trevor Corboy, The Ohio State University Extension Program Coordinator, Community Development, Clermont County, corboy.3@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Margaret Jenkins, The Ohio State University Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Clermont County; Nanette Neal, The Ohio State University Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Clermont County; Kelly Royalty, The Ohio State University Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Clermont County.
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Trevor Corboy, The Ohio State University Extension Program Coordinator, Community Development, Clermont County, corboy.3@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Margaret Jenkins, The Ohio State University Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Clermont County; Nanette Neal, The Ohio State University Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Clermont County; Kelly Royalty, The Ohio State University Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Clermont County.
Keywords
leadership development, place-based education, service learning, youth development, community partners
Citation
Engaged Scholars, v. 6 (2018).