Eastern brings one-day NEW Leadership institute to campus

The Eastern Washington University Women’s Studies Center and Women’s and Gender Studies Program are hosting a one-day NEW Leadership institute at the Cheney campus March 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

According a news release, NEW Leadership is a program developed by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey to educate, empower and encourage college women to become politically active, take on leadership roles and advocate for issues they care about.

Lisa Logan, who previously went to Washington State University’s six-day Institute when she was a student, said the institute came to EWU after Dr. Jessica Willis, visiting assistant professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Graduate Program coordinator, had spoken with the Women’s Funding Alliance. The Women’s Funding Alliance later approached the university to host the institute as a one-day pilot project.

At the institute, students, who are selected to attend the event through an application process, will meet women leaders and learn about women in American politics, as well as develop and practice leadership and public speaking skills through panel discussions, workshops and hands-on projects.

“Throughout the day students will develop a leadership action plan and present it at the end of the day,” Logan said.

Lisa Brown, WSU chancellor, and former Washington State Senate Majority Leader, will be the keynote speaker for the event. NEW Leadership alumni will be invited to return to EWU’s Women’s Studies Center for special events and programs.

The institute is supported by donations from the Women’s Funding Alliance, corporate sponsors, and individuals that cover the program costs.

“We’re very excited to have a chance to participate in the pilot project,” Logan said. “The program been at the larger schools before and to be able to bring it to a smaller campus is exciting. We hope students who take part in the one-day program will apply for the six-day institute at WSU.”

The deadline to apply for the New Leadership Institute is extended to Feb. 19. For application visit the Women’s Studies Center in Monroe 207 or at http://www.ewu.edu/csbssw/programs/womens-and-gender-studies/new-leadership.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].