The newest organization on the campus of The University of Tennessee at Martin is the LEAD Academy. LEAD is an acronym for leadership, education, application and discovery.

This organization is under the leadership of Dr. Katie High, vice chancellor for Student Affairs.

Being the inaugural year for LEAD, many students have been wondering, what is LEAD and why should they join?

To answer the first question the philosophy of LEAD is as states:

“At UT Martin, the education of undergraduates is our primary mission, We believe that preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders is an important component of their education. UT Martin is already acknowledged as a pioneer in leadership development. The highly acclaimed WestStar program attracts outstanding individuals throughout West Tennessee. The Leader-in-Residence Program brings outstanding high school graduates to campus. Building on our rich traditions, we now offer a comprehensive program in leadership development-The LEAD Academy. This program, available to all students with the knowledge, skills and hands-on opportunities to enable them to become effective leaders-bother hereon campus, and after graduation- in their jobs, in the political arena, in their communities and in their places of worship.”

This still may not fully effectively tell students what LEAD is.

LEAD is a leadership opportunity that one can learn leadership skills to better help them during and after college. This is achieved by three levels of participation.

Level One will be composed of structure workshops, activities, classes and programs. This will include such activities as Leaders-in-Residence Program, Harold Conner Scholarship Program, Honors Program and other already developed organizations.

Level Two will involve participation in campus organizations.

Students can participate in this level if they hold leadership positions in Student Government Association, residence advisors, student ambassadors, or hold a leadership position in university approved organization. Participants will undergo more training opportunities as they go through level two.

Level Three: This is the level in which LEAD members will show off their work by compiling a portfolio. This will be used to reward the graduation participants a special distinction at graduation.

This organization will be under the administration of the Division of Student Affairs. LEAD will also offer a staff or faculty member to serve as mentors and advisors for participants.

There will also be a Steering Committee comprised of UTM faculty and staff to be responsible for the program. LEAD will have a Advisory Board which will be made up of community members. This will provide feedback, serve as resources for possible internships and other opportunities as that arise.

The LEAD Academy is similar to those supported by politicians and many other famous people. Such as the Lott Leadership Institute, which is sponsored by Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi.

Senator Trent Lott said, “Our founding fathers recognized that leadership is not an aristocratic birthright. It is an acquired quality, attainable by anyone with the patience, courage, and conviction to meld the energies of many individuals into a single force for the pursuit of common goals.”

The Lott Leadership program has many differences from LEAD. It is only open to high school seniors and is held in the summers at University of Mississippi. There are many leadership programs based in Washington, DC.

LEAD will be an ongoing program that will be completed over the student’s career at UTM. Leadership is an important quality to posses. It is a trait that national leaders are to helping young people gain. UTM is joining in this endeavor to train young people to assume those roles as they go out into communities across Tennessee and the nation.

The LEAD Academy has many outcomes the administration is expecting including: gain exposure to leaders, develop leadership skills through campus activities, understand how institutions work, learn to solve problems, career opportunities, scholarship opportunities, promote democratic values, serves as role models for all students, recognition and many more.

Dr. High gave several reasons that students should join LEAD.

• It’s a great way to learn leadership skills • They will work on service projects with other UTM student leaders • They will network with business, political and community leaders from throughout the state and the nation • They will develop a portfolio that will give them a “leg up” when they apply for a job or graduate school. • If they stick with it, they’ll participate in some exciting projects like an alternative spring break, maybe an internship in Nashville, Atlanta, or Washington, D.C. • And they’ll have fun. If you are interested in LEAD contact the Office of Student Affairs at 587-7525.