A new initiative of the Dean of Students Office, Leadership UA, is targeting sophomores and juniors to become a part of a development program that puts emphasis on leadership on campus, around Tuscaloosa and Alabama.

“A lot of students join groups their freshman year, but they don’t get the chance to be leaders in those organizations until their senior year,” said Nick Lambert, a graduate assistant in the Office of the Dean of Students. “Our goal is to bridge the gap and provide leadership opportunities between students’ freshman and senior years.”

Seth Morrow, Student Government Association communications director, also emphasized the program’s unique focus on developing students during their intermediate years at the University.

“It’s important that we be building leaders during their sophomore and junior years so that they are ready and capable to lead by the time they are seniors,” he said.

Leadership UA will challenge students to recognize the importance of leadership in the big picture, beyond the boundaries of the University.

“The program’s curriculum will invite speakers such as Vice Chancellor Dr. Arthur Dunning, State Representative Bill Poole, and CNN personality Soledad O’Brien,” Assistant Dean of Students Lowell Davis said in a statement released by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Administrators expect students to take these experiences with prominent local and state leaders and translate the knowledge they gain into positive executive action in their current and future involvements.

“Program members will meet with campus administrators and community leaders to see how they conduct themselves responsibly in a leadership position,” Lambert said.

This leadership education will involve more than simply visiting with dignitaries and listening to lectures, however. A significant amount of program members’ involvement will consist of hands-on application. Students will utilize the lessons from the guest speakers to facilitate growth and change in the University community.

“A major feature of Leadership UA will be their development of a proposal that will then be presented to the Student Leaders Council,” Alex Karagas, coordinator of Student Involvement and Leadership, said in the release. “The proposal will relate to a topic that the group agrees on that is relevant to our campus community.”

Interested students should apply online at leadership.ua.edu. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:45 pm. Membership in this year’s program is limited to between 30 and 40 people, but Davis encouraged “any and all interested students” to apply.

“I hope students realize how unique of an opportunity this is and take full advantage of it,” Morrow said.

[GET INVOLVED]

Who: UA sophomores and juniors

What: Leadership UA

When: Applications are due by Friday at 4:45

How: log in to leadership.ua.edu