The University of Minnesota - Where leaders are developed

"Students typically leave this conference excited about the power they have as youth."

What do you get when you gather together ambitious Minnesota high school sophomores, college students, and inspirational speakers? You get the Northern Stars Leadership Conference, an energetic, fun-filled retreat that focuses on leadership.

For four years now, the Northern Stars Leadership Conference has given high school student leaders the opportunity to learn about leadership, to collaborate with their peers, and to experience a day in a college environment. The fifth annual Northern Stars Leadership Conference will be held at the University of Minnesota on April 9, 2005.

"The events are very interactive, fun, and inspiring," says Tami Rangel, who helps coordinate the conference. "Students typically leave this conference excited about the power they have as youth."

Much of this empowerment is a result of collaboration. Throughout the day, high school students are separated into small groups, led by University of Minnesota students. Each group spends time sharing leadership ideas and principles, and learning how leadership can positively affect their schools and communities.

"It was nice to meet other sophomores from around the state who were equally bright, capable, and eager to go out and explore the world after high school," says Gary Tashima, who participated in the event as a sophomore, in 2001. Tashima is now a student at University of Minnesota, where he puts his leadership skills to use in the marching and pep bands.

University students volunteering at the Conference also have a chance to develop their leadership skills. "We enjoy helping these Northern Stars continue to develop their leadership experiences and to make their communities a better place," says Frank Blau, a University junior who has volunteered at the event for the past two years. "It's a fun, rewarding experience for all of the [volunteers], because we were in their position just a few years ago."

The Northern Stars Leadership Conference is designed for high school sophomores from Minnesota. Students are nominated by their high school guidance counselors, teachers or community leaders. If you are a high school sophomore from Minnesota and you would like to participate, talk with your guidance counselor.

Tips for Successful Leadership

The Northern Stars Leadership Conference is just one great opportunity for participating students to develop leadership skills; there are countless other ways to enhance your leadership skills. For starters, the conference coordinators provide these three tips:

1. Your path to stronger leadership skills begins with self-exploration. Ask yourself, "What are my strengths as a leader? What are my values? What skills to I need to develop to be a better leader?"
   
   
2. Leadership does not have to involve an official position. According to Blau, "Sometimes students think, 'I have to be the president of a certain group to have a leadership role.' However, that's not always the case. There are many other personal leadership examples of things people can do within their communities or within their school without a specific designation."
   
   In other words, you can impact your community on your own. First, think about issues that are important to you. Maybe you worry about litter in the park, or perhaps you would like to celebrate diversity in your school. Then, create a plan to bring about changes.
   
   
3. Inspire others. Share your vision with your community. Display your passion for change. As leadership gurus James Kouzes and Barry Posner wrote, "If the leader is a wet match, there will be no spark to ignite passion in others. Enthusiasm, energy, and commitment begin with the leader."

The Northern Stars Leadership Conference is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Office of Admissions and the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life, Leadership Programs.

Funding is provided in part by the Community Initiative of the University of Minnesota in partnership with Coca-Cola.

For more information about the Northern Stars Leadership Conference, contact the Office of Admissions.

For more information about the leadership minor at the University of Minnesota, visit www.umn.edu/lead.

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