Five Newhouse School seniors were among 19 public relations students who took part in the third Challenge for Emerging Leaders, held Nov. 8-10 at Lubin House in New York City.
The challenge, sponsored by The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, is an intensive, hands-on leadership workshop that seeks to develop and inspire emerging leaders. The Newhouse public relations department was the academic sponsor for the challenge.
“Research reveals that experiences like the challenge can energize young leaders, accelerate their development and inspire their vision for leadership,” says Bruce Berger, the Plank Center’s research director and program director for the challenge. “Professionals in the field have access to many development programs, but such opportunities are limited for students and young professionals.”
Pictured are (front, from left): Kawar, Xu, Russell and Trainor; (back): Trapp, Massie, Meath and D’Angelo
The challenge emphasized advancement in four key competencies: deepen understanding of leadership; enrich leadership values and beliefs; expand leadership skills and capacity; and model appropriate behaviors. These competencies were addressed through activities and assessments drawn from eight core development areas: self-awareness, listening skills, conflict management, organizational dynamics, business acumen, critical thinking, team leadership and ethical orientation.
In addition, students were divided into teams to work through a diversity case study. On the last day of the challenge, teams presented their case study findings and were awarded a Certificate of Leadership Achievement. The winning team, which received the Betsy Plank Diversity Case Study Award, included Newhouse student Julia Trainor, a dual major in PR in the Newhouse School and political science in the Maxwell School.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I was given the opportunity to participate,” Trainor says. “The program’s speakers were phenomenal, interactive and engaging. They challenged us with leadership exercises and allowed us to ask them questions about the successes and challenges of their careers.”
Participating students were selected by their department chairs based on leadership potential, academic achievements and diverse backgrounds and experiences. In addition to Trainor, additional Syracuse University participants were:
Interim PR chair Michael Meath served as a judge for the case study competition. Anthony D’Angelo, professor of practice and director of communications management, shared career advice with students. Professor Maria Russell, a member of the Plank Center board of advisers, coordinated the Lubin House programming.
For more information on the Challenge for Emerging Leaders, visit plankcenter.ua.edu.
