Capitol College President, Dr. Michael T. Wood, has announced the creation of the Emerging Leader Program, a comprehensive outreach and retention program focused on cultivating leaders, along with a $500,000 financial aid commitment for incoming first-year students.
Designed to meet the college’s mission of accessibility and commitment to build and educate leaders of the future science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce, the Emerging Leader Program encompasses many of Capitol’s initiatives, including; STEM and college awareness outreach to middle and high school students; career education and services for community college students; summer programs, leadership training and supplemental instruction for current students; the Capitol Scholars Program, exclusively for high-ability students utilizing funds from the National Science Foundation; and $500,000 in general scholarships for all Capitol students.
As indicated by several recent studies, such as the 2008 Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, the STEM fields are key areas of growth for the future U.S. workforce. Capitol is an institution that can educate and develop the students headed into these fields today in order for the country to compete in the global economy of tomorrow.
Dr. Wood indicated that, “The Emerging Leader Program is a clear example of the Capitol College commitment to addressing our state, regional and national needs in developing our future leaders in the STEM, cyber and business fields. Our Innovation and Leadership Institute, along with the Space Operation Institute, will provide both hands-on learning experiences and internships to students in all Emerging Leader programs, as well as the opportunity for our alumni and various partners to participate in mentoring current and future students.”
The program is a key component to the overall student experience at Capitol that provides both an educational and holistic approach, and builds on Capitol’s commitment to developing the STEM and cyber security workforce pipeline. The financial aid resource funds are an important element of Capitol’s commitment to providing an education that is practical, affordable and accessible.
According to Dianne Veenstra, vice president for Planning and Assessment, this new program acts as an umbrella for initiatives underway at the college that address workforce development.
“Students who participate in the Emerging Leader Program will have access to unique training and development opportunities to supplement their educational experience in the classroom,” she said. “All aspects of this initiative expand our outreach to area middle schools, high schools and community colleges and improve retention and graduation of our students as we develop their leadership skills in STEM fields.”