LIHC Spring 2010 Application

Due January 31^st at midnight to comp@harvardleadership.org

Dear Applicant,

We are thrilled that you are interested in becoming a member of the Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC). Our team is devoted to fostering leadership skills and values among Harvard undergraduates and other aspiring students who will take the lead in tackling tomorrow’s challenges. By providing skill-building programs, channels for collaboration, and leadership resources, we aim to inspire and empower students to fulfill their leadership potential at Harvard, in their communities, and in their world.

We offer a number of diverse committees that we hope will fit your various interests. They are: (1) The Leadership Development Initiative, (2) The Presidents’ Forum, (3) The Harvard Undergraduate Leadership Magazine, (4) Social Outreach, and (5) External Relations. Below are brief descriptions and position openings for each committee. Our team seeks to attract only the best and most passionate students on campus. While being a part of LIHC requires great commitment and dedication, we believe that this work will be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience for you. Please let us know if you have any questions by e-mailing (comp@harvardleadership.org) or visiting our website at www.harvardleadership.org. Thank you!

v The Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) invites the most prominent and well-respected leaders in business, government, and the non-profit sectors to share their knowledge and lessons to Harvard undergraduates. It carries out the majority of LIHC’s programs geared towards all students at Harvard College. LDI’s mission is to provide Harvard undergraduates with the tools necessary to lead effectively in their lives here on campus and beyond. It offers speaker events, workshops, and long-term initiatives. In the past, the committee has invited leaders such as David Gergen, Special Advisor to four US Presidents, and Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic. More examples can be found on our LIHC website. As a member, you will work as a part of a highly collaborative and effective team to plan and deliver professional and impactful programs to the Harvard community. Not only will you create real value for others, you will develop valuable skills applicable to your career.

o Positions available: LDI Committee Member

v The Presidents’ Forum (TPF) promotes communication and collaboration among student leaders at Harvard, enabling them to share leadership experiences and best-practices. This empowers TPF’s target audience to take full advantage of the incredible potential that lies within the Harvard student body. TPF coordinates a series of discussion forums related to specific themes, such as sports, science and media, to tailor its resources to the leadership needs of specific groups and organizations. Each discussion is moderated by a leader eminent in the field hosted by the forum. The committee maintains key relations with the Undergraduate Council and the Office of Student Life in order to provide its programming. As a member, you will work with a dynamic and entrepreneurial team to bring student leaders together. You will receive the opportunity to interact with admired student leaders on campus, and thus learn from their experiences and expertise.

o Positions available: TPF Committee Member

v The Harvard Undergraduate Leadership Magazine (HULM) addresses a need for more leadership resources and training among Harvard undergraduates. The magazine seeks to introduce students to various interpretations of leadership and to provide concrete knowledge so individuals can become better leaders for society. In the spirit of our philosophy that the best way to teach leadership is to demonstrate it, the magazine illustrates effective leadership skills, habits, and values while profiling leaders and the rich lessons offered by their experience. We hope our publication will become a fundamental resource at Harvard for students aiming to strengthen their leadership abilities. The magazine distributes over 2,000 copies per edition and all content is designed, written, and managed by students. It is developed with the full support of the Office of Student Life, and has formed partnerships with many graduate schools and other Ivy League universities to expand content and audience. Members of HULM will have the chance to work with senior executives and directors from every field, free access to HBS leadership trainings, and a chance to grow a magazine of great potential.

o Positions available: *Editor-in-Chief, designer, and staff writers

v The Social Outreach committee works to instill in youth the requisite values, skills and confidence to be leaders and accomplish positive change in their schools, communities, and the world. We have partnered with Citizen Schools to develop a leadership program to be taught in middle schools across the country. Currently, we deliver our leadership curriculum to 16 at-risk middle school students each Tuesday from 2-4pm at the Edwards School in Charlestown. Our work is guided by three core objectives: (1) to reinforce in young people’s minds that they have the ability to lead and to help them realize their own potential, (2) to build a powerful pool of leaders among minority groups that will ensure that their communities have effective agents of development, and (3) to increase high school and university graduation rates among students from low-income areas. As a member, you will join a highly motivated and dedicated team of students working to develop effective solutions to improve the world and to train future leaders. In the process, you will gain experience in the public sector, learn effective teaching techniques, and will acquire practical leadership skills.

o Positions available: SO Committee Members

v The External Relations Committee connects the Leadership Institute at Harvard College with the people and resources of the world beyond Harvard. Leading the organization’s strategic development initiatives, the Committee ensures financial sustainability and institutional growth. The responsibilities of External Relations include fundraising, managing the Institute’s finances, building strategic partnerships with alumni, speakers, and other organizations, raising ad revenues for our magazine, and launching a host of new strategic initiatives.  You will receive significant business experience, exposure to leaders in every realm of public life, and incredible leadership opportunities.

o Positions available: ER Committee Members

v Personal Leadership Mentor

o The Leadership Institute is one of the only student organizations that coordinates personal Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School,Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Medical School students on leadership skills, personal development and career advice. Each mentor is selected through a rigorous process by the Board of Advisors and Faculty advisors.

v Leadership Training

o LIHC offers exclusive training sessions with distinguished Harvard and MIT Professors, professional leadership consultants and real-world business/medical/law/non-profit leaders.

o The only professional and curriculum-based leadership program within a Harvard student organization.

v Exclusive Access to Events

o Members will have behind-the-scenes access to specific events with dynamic speakers and teachers. These includes private meals and distinguished guests (e.g. Secretary of the Navy, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, world leaders in the non-profit sector)

v Dinners/Outings

o Join in on the social side of leading with LIHC’s social events and special meals to reinforce that leadership is also about forming personal relationships. LIHC is a well-knit community.

v Personal Website/Printed Materials

o Your name and biography will appear on the prominent LIHC website, Harvard’s unofficial homepage for leadership-related information. Our website gets over 10,000 unique visits every month.

v Work and grow with a strong team

o You will have the opportunity to work with passionate students and develop leadership ‘on the job’ as a member of LIHC.

Spring 2010 Application

Please answer the following questions in a Word document.

Name:

Year:

Concentration:

Mailing Address:

Desired Position:

Second Choice: (Optional)

Short Essays: (Limit answers to 250 words)

1. Please elaborate on your interests in the Leadership Institute at Harvard College and what contributions you could bring to the organization. Please be specific in your answer.

2. Pick one or two experiences where you served as a leader and discuss your value to the group, assessing both strengths and weaknesses.

3. *(Only for those applying for Magazine Editor-in-Chief position): Please talk about your experience and interest in publications, and what you intend to do with the magazine?

Please attach a resume to your application.

Due by midnight of Sunday, January 31^st.

Questions and applications should be sent to:

Comp@HarvardLeadership.org

Leadership Development Initiative

Director: Yoseph Ayele

Yoseph Ayele is a junior living in Dunster House and he serves as the LDI Director. He has been in the Leadership Institute since his freshman year at Harvard, and has been a member of the Leadership Development Initiative during that time.  He is Ethiopian by nationality and has lived and worked in Tanzania and Kenya for over six years. As a Social Studies concentrator, his focus field is on the political and economic development in Africa. Outside LIHC, he works as a Consultant for the Harvard College Consulting Group, he is a Social Committee member for the Woodbridge Society, and columnist for The View on Capital, a national newspaper based in his native Ethiopia.  He can be reached at  Yoseph.Ayele@HarvardLeadership.org.

Kate Ma

Kate Ma is a second-year student originally from Ridgeland, Mississippi. She plans to concentrate in Psychology with a secondary field in Economics and a citation in Chinese. At Harvard, aside from working with LIHC as a member of LDI, she is also involved in Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business as a writer for their magazine. She also enjoys being a part the Undergraduate Admissions Committee, as well as a tutor for an after-school program in the Mission Hill community. After college, she hopes to pursue a career in Marketing or Advertising.

Lynn Yi

Lynn Yi came from New York City, where she attended Hunter College High School until June 2008. She joined LDI in fall 2008 because she wanted to explore the leadership opportunities at Harvard. She is debating whether to concentrate in physics, biology, or government. She enjoys teaching, writing, and singing, and currently sings in Radcliffe Choral Society.

Karen Ding

Karen Ding is a sophomore at Harvard, hailing from the bicycle-loving, close-knit college town of Davis, California. After living in Iowa and Alabama, she’s now enjoying the new and different quirks of East Coast life in Cambridge. Karen is a pianist, a violist, a self-proclaimed TV show addict, and an avid runner and outdoorswoman who is always up for a race. She’s a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, as well as a Harry Potter fanatic. In the Harvard community, Karen is a photographer at the Harvard Crimson, an Open Access Fellow for the Office of Scholarly Communication, and a probable Applied Math concentrator. She is an active member of LDI.

Eric Michel

Eric Michel is a second-year student from Cleveland, Ohio. He plans to graduate with a concentration in economics and a secondary field in government. Besides working with LDI, Eric serves on the Harvard Undergraduate Council representing West Yard and also teaches government to middle school students as a member of CIVICS.

Leadership Institute-Citizen Schools Partnership

Director: Emily Harburg

Emily Harburg is a junior in Mather House concentrating in social anthropology with a secondary in psychology. Born in Michigan, Emily spent her childhood moving around the world with her family, living in places like New Mexico, Spain, Oklahoma, and Switzerland. Within LIHC, Emily is a member of the LDI team and is also currently launching a youth outreach initiative with Citizen Schools. Emily is also a member of the Amigos y Lectores Reading Buddies Program, Harvard Women in Business, and plays on the Varsity Women’s Volleyball Team. In her free time, Emily enjoys skiing, traveling, and boggle. Emily may be reached at Emily.Harburg@HarvardLeadership.org.

The Presidents’ Forum (TPF)

Director: Tony Britt

Anthony “Tony” Britt is a senior in Lowell House and is from Ellsworth, Maine. He serves as Treasurer of the Undergraduate Council and as Director of The Presidents’ Forum; within these roles he hopes to work toward greater collaboration among student leaders in part to promote sustainable and successful organizations on campus. He also serves as a Dorm Crew Captain and as a Peer Advising Fellow in Thayer. Having strong interests in educational policy and organizational behavior, he is concentrating in Sociology with a secondary in Government and would like to pursue a career related to public service through law, politics, education or all of the above! Outside of the classroom and meetings, Anthony has weaknesses for basketball, Shakira, and cookie dough ice cream. He can be reached at Anthony.Britt@HarvardLeadership.org.

Alex Karabasevic

Alex Karabasevic is a sophomore at Harvard, concentrating in Economics. She is originally from South Florida and is constantly cold here in Boston. She is a member of The Presidents’ Forum at the Leadership Institute and is working on improving leadership communication within the College. Outside of LIHC, Alex is a board member of the Undergraduate Economics Association, Center for European Studies and Economics Review, as well as a mentor for Strong Women Strong Girls in Boston.

Aaron Oehlschlaeger

Aaron is a junior in Leverett House concentrating in computer science. A native of the Granite State (New Hampshire), Aaron has attained the rank of Eagle Scout and is active in a number of student organizations, including The Oak Club. Within LIHC, Aaron serves under the auspices of The Presidents’ Forum and is an editor in LIHC’s Harvard Undergraduate Leadership Magazine. Aaron is also involved in special projects aimed at networking and communicating with Harvard’s impressive array of student leaders.

Sean Po

Sean is in his second year as a student at Harvard. Sean serves as a Committee Member of The Presidents’ Forum within the Leadership Institute. He joined LIHC at the beginning of 2008. In addition to LIHC, Sean serves as an analyst for the Harvard College Consulting Group (HCCG), and works as a videographer at the Bok Center. He has yet to decide on a concentration. In his spare time, Sean enjoys hiking, playing piano, filmmaking, dancing, and teaching martial arts.

Will Guzick

Will Guzick is a junior in Quincy House concentrating in Economics. He is originally from Greer, South Carolina, where he spent most of his childhood (with the exception of two years in France). At Harvard, Will competes for the Varsity Men’s Tennis Team and mentors freshmen as a Peer Advising Fellow. He also co-directs the French Program of Harvard College Languages at Work and is a member of the Harvard College Consulting Group and the Harvard Investment Association. In his spare time, he enjoys running in road races, following European soccer, and hiking.

The Harvard Undergraduate Leadership Magazine

Editor-in-Chief: Maria Li

Maria is a senior Sociology concentrator in Currier House.  Originally from Atlanta, GA, Maria has participates in numerous organizations on campus including Identities Charity Fashion Show.  A LIHC member since 2007, Maria started as a section editor of the Harvard Undergraduate Leadership Magazine and has assumed the role as Editor-in-Chief for the second edition of HULM in 2009.  She may be reached at Maria.Li@HarvardLeadership.org.

LIHC is partnering with Citizen Schools to develop and teach an innovative, skills-based leadership curriculum for low-income middle school students in Boston. The program aims to:

• Inspire youth to become leaders and equip them with skills they need to succeed

• Allow Harvard students to learn leadership by teaching and mentoring youth and to practice servant leadership in the Boston community

The pilot is scheduled for Fall 2009, with the long-term goal of dissemination through Citizen Schools’ national network.
The curriculum is being created as one of the Citizen Schools ‘“apprenticeships,” which engage volunteer “citizen teachers” such as professionals from business and civic organizations to teach their expertise to students. The 10-week apprenticeships feature:

• One 90-min. session per week for 12-16 students
• Hands-on learning tied to real-life contexts

Culminating in a product or presentation produced by students and taught back to the community
About Citizen Schools

About Citizen Schools
Founded in 1995, Citizen Schools is an education nonprofit dedicated to fostering the academic and leadership growth of low-income children across the country. It currently operates a growing national network of after-school programs covering 44 sites in 7 states that serve about 3,800 middle school students and engage approximately 3,200 volunteers. 91% of its students qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch.
Curriculum Development
Harvard undergraduates will create the curriculum with guidance from Citizen Schools staff and Harvard faculty, including:

• David Ager, Lecturer on Sociology

• Richard Hackman, Edgar Pierce Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology

• Stacey Childress, Lecturer in General Management at Harvard Business School and Co-Founder of the Public Education Leadership Project at Harvard University