Exemplary Leaders Circle mentors UD students

Delaware state Sen. Liane Sorenson (center), a member of the Exemplary Leaders Circle, discusses mentoring possibilities with UD Leadership Program students.

2:36 p.m., Oct. 12, 2006--UD's Leadership Program has created an Exemplary Leaders Circle in which community leaders will interact with students in the program.

Karen Stein, associate professor of leadership in the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, said community leaders within the circle exemplify the values and ethics that the program would like to instill in its undergraduates. “The students chosen for the circle have high levels of academic achievement, are actively engaged in the program and demonstrate strong potential for professional success,” she said.

The circle had its first meeting Sept. 28 at UD's Blue & Gold Club. UD President David P. Roselle opened the meeting after which students, faculty and leaders sat in groups of seven and discussed basic concepts of leadership and how each views it.

Audrey Helfman, associate professor of urban affairs and public policy and director of leadership education, said the Exemplary Leadership Circle “is an exciting opportunity for students to develop linkages that can add to what they're learning in the classroom with the real-life experiences of practicing leaders.”

At the end of the meeting, community leaders were asked to complete cards selecting their preferences for participation in the circle. They were asked to choose at least two activities from a list that included mentoring an emerging leader, taking on a student as a paid or volunteer intern, providing a tour of their organization, speaking to a leadership class, funding an event for a student, engaging students in problem-solving in their organizations and providing an opportunity for an independent research project.

Attendees included:

Tony Allen, communications executive, Bank of America;
Maurice Butler, pastor of the Elizabeth African Methodist Episcopal Church;
John Carney, Delaware lieutenant governor;
Chris Coons, New Castle County executive;
Romona S. Fullman, director of the Delaware Commission for Women;
Margaret R. Henry, Delaware state senator, 2nd district;
Paul Herdman, CEO of the Rodel Foundation of Delaware;
David Howe, senior director of human resources for Merck & Company Inc.;
Ginny Marino, executive director of the YWCA of New Castle County;
Fred Sears, president and CEO of Delaware Community Foundation;
Liane Sorenson, Delaware state senator, 6th district; and
Peter Thedinga, senior vice president of Bank of America.

The Leadership Program, in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, teaches students socially responsible strategies, programs and policies that improve quality of life and minimize harmful effects on consumers. The program includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, statistics, mathematics, economics, business, finance and communications.

Article by Barbara Garrison
Photo by Duane Perry

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