A national nonpartisan college students' public leadership training program addressing women's underrepresentation in politics.
About NEW Leadership®
NEW Leadership® is a national, nonpartisan college students' public leadership training program addressing women's underrepresentation in politics. NEW Leadership® was designed by CAWP to educate and inspire a new generation of leaders. The multi-day residential program educates college students about the important role that politics plays in their lives, introduces them to successful women leaders, and encourages them to become more involved in the political process.
NEW Leadership® is CAWP’s national initiative to educate and empower the next generation of leaders. This multi-day residential program teaches college students the value of civic engagement and helps them develop the skills to become more involved in their campuses and communities. NEW Leadership® inspires students to see themselves as empowered leaders who can effectively participate in politics and public policy. Although women constitute over 50% of the population and have outvoted men in every national election since 1980, women have made only modest gains in representation in our state and national decision-making bodies over the past three decades.
CAWP’s research indicates that women bring different priorities and experiences to public life and provide perspectives that are often underrepresented in political decision-making (Dittmar, et.al. 2017). While many college women indicate an interest in public service and are active in community and volunteer organizations, studies have shown that young women are significantly less likely than young men to be interested in politics or to view political involvement as a priority (Lawless and Fox 2013).
NEW Leadership® was created by CAWP in 1991 to encourage college women to become civically engaged and to consider careers in politics — such as becoming campaign workers, non-profit organizers, government appointees, lobbyists, aides and advisors, staffers for elected officials, and/or as elected officials themselves. The six-day residential summer institute educates college students about politics and policy-making and helps them develop the skills and confidence necessary to join the rising vanguard of public leaders that we need.
In an era where partisan gridlock, rancor, and scandal are front and center in the media, young people often confront a very negative view of politics and politicians. At NEW Leadership® students interact with political women who are dedicated public servants and represent a wide range of backgrounds, political perspectives, and experiences. The students learn first-hand that many of the negative stereotypes they hold about politicians are inaccurate.
NEW Leadership® participants are undergraduate students representing a wide range of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, educational backgrounds, academic majors, and ideological perspectives. During the NEW Leadership® summer institute, students meet with women in a variety of roles in the public sphere, learn about the history of women’s political participation, explore ideas about women, leadership and politics, and participate in hands-on skills-building exercises. After the institute, students are encouraged to take the skills they learned and put them into action on their campuses and in their communities.
Since 1999, the Center for American Women and Politics has expanded the NEW Leadership® National Network across the country by selecting up to three educational institutions each year to join the National Network as partners. The NEW Leadership® Network offers partner institutions a unique opportunity for building and strengthening connections to political women in the region. Without exception, the NEW Leadership® programs in each successful partner school have garnered strong commitments from women leaders in the area.
Participation in the NEW Leadership® National Network creates an opportunity for partner schools to expand their institutions’ leadership education programming and outreach to women. NEW Leadership® can help develop the institutional capacities of partner schools; some partners have established centers and institutes for women and politics with NEW Leadership® as their keystone program.
The six-point curriculum establishes a pedagogical foundation for the NEW Leadership® programs. This curriculum can be adapted to accommodate a wide range of political cultures, geographic regions, populations, and institutions. Network partners implement the curriculum in their own way to incorporate state and regional issues and institutional strengths.
The six-point NEW Leadership® curriculum:
- Teach about women's historical and contemporary contributions to American politics and policymaking.
- Connect students with women leaders who make a difference in the public sphere.
- Help participants explore concepts of leadership in a diverse society.
- Cultivate participants’ leadership skills.
- Encourage students to practice leadership through action.
- Engage students in activities that will enhance their career development and expand their career opportunities.
Living in Residence
NEW Leadership® participants are required to live on campus throughout the summer institute; we consider the residential nature of the program an integral component of the NEW Leadership® experience. The residential requirement creates an intensive learning experience that is impossible to replicate with a series of one-day programs. Living together for several nights builds a sense of community among the group and encourages friendly interaction among the participants. At NEW Leadership® the learning experience extends beyond the formal sessions of the day and continues in the dorms, where students can share ideas, challenge opinions they heard during sessions, reflect, and discuss in a way that would not occur if they went their separate ways after the day’s formal program ended.
Connecting with Women Leaders
Strong role models can serve as powerful sources of inspiration. At NEW Leadership®, students hear from women leaders with a variety of perspectives, roles, and experiences. In addition to the political women who serve as speakers or panelists, each NEW Leadership® program invites three women leaders to stay for the entire six-day program to serve as Faculty in Residence (FIRs). The participation of these political women, living on campus and interacting with the participants throughout the program, is critical to the success of NEW Leadership®. The FIRs serve as mentors and role models. Through their own experiences, these women illustrate some of the challenges and experiences that women leaders face in both their public and private lives. They provide insight into different styles of leadership and help the students overcome cynicism about politicians and government.
Building Diverse and Inclusive Leaders
As we are seeing the country become more diverse, it is essential for future leaders to receive an education in environments that reflect the populations they will be serving. Nevertheless, on most college campuses and neighborhoods, students often spend their time with people who look and think like them. We believe that in order to prepare a generation of leaders for the 21st century, it is essential to be inclusive and help students learn about and develop language around their own identities and those of their peers.
During the summer institute, students interact with people who have different ideas, backgrounds, and life experiences. We strive to ensure that each NEW Leadership® program includes students, speakers, and staff who exemplify a broad range of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, educational backgrounds, academic majors, and ideological perspectives. Throughout the program, students engage in discussions about social justice and explore the impact of public policy on diverse populations. NEW Leadership® aims to provide students with a safe space where they can respectfully address issues of difference and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with leadership in a diverse society.
Leadership through Action
NEW Leadership® minimizes the use of panels and speakers in order to engage the participants in hands-on exercises that encourage them to practice their leadership skills. The majority of the program sessions are interactive and student driven. During the summer institute, students participate in workshops to develop skills such as public speaking, networking, and advocacy training. They are given the opportunity to practice these skills throughout the program.
After attending the summer institute, participants are urged to continue honing these skills by seeking out leadership experiences on their campuses and communities. Experiences NEW Leadership® programs encourage students to get involved in include: running for office in a campus organization, organizing a student group, working on a campaign, or organizing around a political issue on their campuses or in their communities.
NEW Leadership® National Network
NEW Leadership® National Network
A partnership of colleges and universities across the country dedicated to developing more leaders that will address women's underrepresentation in politics. Network partners have established NEW Leadership® programs for college students in their state or region.
NEW Leadership® Works
NEW Leadership® Works
Survey results confirm that NEW Leadership® has been successful in inspiring the vast majority of alumni to participate in politics, educating them about the political process and increasing their overall confidence and leadership skills.
Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership® New Jersey
Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership® New Jersey summer institute is a non-partisan, five-day residential program at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. During the summer institute, students will meet women leaders, learn about women’s participation in American politics, and develop and practice leadership skills through panel discussions, workshops, and projects. After the summer institute, participants become part of NEWL’s national network of distinguished alumni.
Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership® New Jersey will be held June 5th-9th, 2026
Applications will be accepted until March 20, 2026.
For any questions or additional information, please contact Emily Dalton.
NEW Leadership® is open to students at all higher education institutions in New Jersey. Eligible applicants must be registered for the 2025-2026 academic year in either a two-year institution or be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior at a four-year institution. Recent graduates are also welcome to apply.
CAWP is committed to including students from diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds and of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in each NEW Leadership® program. We strongly encourage students of color, non-traditional students, students who may be gender non-conforming, nonbinary, or transgender, and students majoring in fields outside political science to apply.
NEW Leadership® is supported by donations from corporate sponsors and individuals that cover some of the program costs. Each participating college and university is asked to pay a $500 program fee per student. There is no direct cost to the students. Meals for all virtual and in-person programming will be subsidized by the Center for American Women and Politics, and students will receive additional materials and resources.
Applicants are required to provide contact information for a faculty or staff member at their school who agrees to assist them in obtaining funding for the NEW Leadership® program fee. A limited number of scholarships will be available to students who are unable to obtain sponsorship from their schools.
Please contact Emily Dalton if you are unable to find funding or cannot reach a funding contact.
Demonstrated leadership experience in your campus or community and a commitment to expanding knowledge about politics and civic engagement are primary considerations. We look for participants with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to the knowledge of the group by offering different perspectives and are open to learning from others.
Does it matter what my major is?
No, past participants have represented a wide range of majors including; music, biology, business, social work, education, criminal justice, women and gender studies, and political science. There is no specific academic profile for the successful NEW Leadership® participant. Students of all academic backgrounds should learn to be advocates and public leaders.
Where does the program take place?
The 2026 program will be hosted at the Eagleton Institute of Politics on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Participants will stay at the Rutgers University Inn & Conference Center and all events will be near the residence.
Can I leave the program for work or class during NEW Leadership®?
NEW Leadership® New Jersey is a full-time program, and participants are required to participate in all sessions. Breaks will be scheduled throughout the course of each day.
Who should I contact at my school for funding assistance?
For a list of individuals at each institution who have agreed to assist with funding, please reach out to Emily Dalton at emily.dalton@eagleton.rutgers.edu.
Hazel Frank Gluck Award
Named in honor of Hazel Frank Gluck, a respected leader in New Jersey and beyond, with a distinguished public service career, this award is presented annually to acknowledge the accomplishments of NEW Leadership® New Jersey graduates who have emerged as inspiring advocates, candidates, and community leaders.
Previous winners:
Recipient biographies reflect information current at the time the award was given.
Shabnam Salih
NEW Leadership® NJ Class of 2008
Shabnam presently serves as executive director of the Health Care Compliance Unit at the New Jersey Department of Corrections. She previously served as the inaugural director of the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency, launched in 2020, in the New Jersey Office of the Governor, Governor Philip Murphy. The Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency led the Administration’s work on affordability and price transparency issues across the health care landscape. Prior to that, Salih served as the senior policy advisor on Health and Human Services to Governor Murphy, helping to advance key priorities in health, human services, health insurance, and children and families since February 2018. During her time in the Governor’s Office, she worked extensively on a range of issues, including the opioid epidemic, the individual health insurance market, behavioral health, state health benefits, and homelessness. From 2013 to 2018, Salih was with the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers and served as the associate director of policy and engagement. Salih was also a legislative aide in the New Jersey Senate and is a former Teach For America Corps member. Salih has a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts from The College of New Jersey.
Petra Gaskins
NEW Leadership® NJ Class of 2015
Petra is a proud resident of the City of New Brunswick and made history when she was sworn in to the city Council on January 2, 2023. She became the first black woman and the youngest to serve in the City's 293-year history. Petra’s involvement in politics originated from her personal experience of homelessness due to child abuse and parental abandonment. From her pre-teen years to adulthood, she constantly had to confront unjust laws and bureaucracies that spurred within her a determination to get involved. For instance, after being denied the opportunity to attend high school, she began organizing for the rights of homeless children.
Currently, Petra is the chief of staff to New Jersey State Senator Joseph Cryan, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. She previously served as director of outreach for Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and as an intergovernmental affairs aide to Governor Phil Murphy. In her work, Petra is most known for creating outside-the-box opportunities to elevate those whose voices have been systematically ignored. She holds a B.A in political science and global studies from Rider University.
Maria J. Andrade
NEW Leadership® Class of 2016
Maria is a Newark, New Jersey, resident and an inspirational leader with an ardent drive for social equality. She currently serves as site director for New Jersey GEAR UP/College Bound Federal and State Grant Program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) where she also coaches a STEM FTC Robotics Team. She has developed, directed, and coordinated many social and strategic impact projects in the state of New Jersey, utilizing her passion to bridge the gap between education and opportunity through internships and social impact projects.
As a woman of color, a first-generation Ecuadorian immigrant, and a young mother to two beautiful children, Michael and Dalya, Ms. Andrade has dedicated herself to social justice, equality, criminal justice reform, education, and advocacy for marginalized communities. She is actively involved with many organizations that share her vision. She is a member of the Community Advisory Board at RWJBH Clara Maass Center of Excellence for Latino Health (CELH) and Somerset RWJBH. She serves as the president of the Board of Trustees for Roseville Community Charter School as well as an executive board member in the Essex County College Alumni Association. Maria is an appointed member of the Hispanic Commission for the Office of International Relations and Diaspora Affairs in the city of Newark. Ms. Andrade earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University in 2019 and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from Essex County College in 2016.
Lauren Zyriek Enriquez, D.P.A.
NEW Leadership® Class of 2003
Lauren is the assistant secretary of state for the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of State. Before joining the Secretary of State’s office in 2018, Dr. Zyriek Enriquez was the deputy clerk for the Office of the Bergen County Clerk where she had the distinction of being the first Latina in her position. Previously, she was an advisor to the Guatemalan United Nations Mission, and a specialist at the U.S. Census Bureau. Her education, along with her community involvement, has always been geared towards government and politics and how they affect society. She always strives to be part of the decision-making process to advance ideas and to guarantee that forthcoming policies are mindful of the demographics they serve.
Dr. Zyriek Enriquez earned her Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore (MD), her Master’s in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ), she holds a Bachelor’s from Montclair State University (NJ), and an Associate’s from Bergen Community College (NJ). She has Executive Education Certificates in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is a New Jersey registered municipal clerk and a board member of the NJ American Society for Public Administration.
The Honorable Tiffany Palmer
NEW Leadership® Class of 1992
Tiffany has dedicated herself to public service by building a legal career devoted to ensuring the legal equality of LGBTQ families through a focus on family law, adoption, and assisted reproductive technology law. She has worked on numerous cases related to the rights of LGBTQ parents, as well as those who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies, and she has argued in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on the question of expanding the legal definition of parenthood. In addition to her own practice, Jerner & Palmer, P.C., Palmer also served as the director of the Family Law Institute of the National LGBT Bar Association. At the time of her keynote speech at the 2019 NEW Leadership® New Jersey program, Palmer was a candidate for judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. She was elected in November 2019 and currently serves a state trial court judge assigned to the Family Court Division. Tiffany was a participant in the second year of the NEW Leadership® program in 1992 while a student at Northern Arizona University. Upon graduating, she attended the joint Law and Public Policy program at Rutgers University School of Law–Camden and the Edward J. Bloustein School at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and was a graduate fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.
Carmen E. Cusido
NEW Leadership® NJ class of 2004
Carmen currently works as a communications specialist and previously worked as a public relations professional at the Wildlife Conservation Society. During her career as a reporter and freelance writer, Carmen has written for NBC News, CNN, NPR, Cosmopolitan, New Jersey Monthly, and other publications. She also worked on the editorial team at Twitter Moments and taught journalism at Kean University. Her book, Coping with Eating Disorders, geared toward a young-adult audience, was published by Rosen Young Adult Press in January 2019. She holds a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University–New Brunswick and an MA from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
Shirley Genty-Vogt
NEW Leadership® NJ class of 2001
Shirley is founder and CEO of Sisters of Promise, Inc., whose mission is to promote education, community involvement, confidence, and leadership among young women and girls. She is director of youth programs at the Evergreen Youth Center in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Shirley previously served as director of the Woodbridge Municipal Alliance, vice chair of the Middlesex County Young Democrats and founding member of the African American Coalition of Woodbridge. She has a BA in political science, an MA in public administration, and a certificate of nonprofit management, all from Rutgers University.
Chrissy Buteas
NEW Leadership® NJ class of 2003
Chrissy is president and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, a leading voice in Trenton and Washington, D.C. for home health agencies, hospices, and health care service firms. She previously served at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, as vice president of the Capital Impact Group, and as a councilwoman in her community, South Plainfield. She is currently president of the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey. Chrissy holds an MPA from the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University–Newark and a BA from Rowan University.
Maria DelCid-Kosso
NEW Leadership® NJ class of 2012
Maria serves as chief of staff to Assemblyman Jerry Green. She is an active member of the Union County Young Democrats, NJ Young Democratic Latina Caucus, and LUPE (Latinas United for Political Empowerment). In 2016, through the Union County College Foundation, she established the Del Cid Dreamer Scholarship for a Union County student who is an immigrant from another country. She created this scholarship to assist other ambitious young people who face the challenges of trying to succeed in a new country. Maria received a BA in psychology and political science from Seton Hall University and is currently enrolled in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers–New Brunswick.
NEW Leadership® National Network
National Network partners have demonstrated that NEW Leadership® is effective in meeting its goals of teaching college students the importance of civic engagement and developing the skills and confidence in them to become public leaders so that they may address women's underrepresentation in public leadership.
The NEW Leadership® model developed by CAWP has been tested and refined at the national, regional, and state levels and has been adapted to various states and political cultures. National Network partners have demonstrated that NEW Leadership® is effective in meeting its goals of teaching college students the importance of civic engagement and developing the skills and confidence in them to become public leaders so that they may address women's underrepresentation in public leadership.
"NEW Leadership® is a tremendous program, with a proven track record of building women leaders."
Former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts
Chair, NEW Leadership® Oregon Advisory Board
Each year CAWP selects up to three institutions to join the NEW Leadership® National Network. Selected schools agree to send two representatives to observe and participate in NEW Leadership® New Jersey in June, and subsequent virtual partner meetings
Eligibility
Any unit within a non-profit institution of higher education is eligible to become a partner, including, but not limited to, academic departments, student life offices, research organizations, and public service/leadership centers. In selecting partners, preference will be given to institutions in regions not currently represented in the National Network. Institutions with a history of serving students of color are particularly encouraged to apply.
CAWP is seeking NEW Leadership® National Network Partners who have:
- Experience developing programs that meet the distinctive needs of women students;
- A commitment to multi-partisan political education programming;
- A commitment to recruiting participants and speakers who are diverse in race, ethnicity, political ideology, and sexual orientation;
- The potential for working with other educational institutions in the state;
- Access to women in public leadership, including elected officials, political activists, community leaders, and women and politics scholars;
- Home institution support for establishing and continuing the NEW Leadership® program, including assigning a key staff member to take the lead in organizing and overseeing the project;
- A proven track record for raising funds to support similar projects or the support of the institution to undertake such fundraising.
Interested in bringing NEW Leadership® to your state? For more information, contact:
Emily Dalton
Program Coordinator for NEW Leadership®
Center for American Women and Politics
848-932-8717
emily.dalton@eagleton.rutgers.edu
Mission and Rationale
NEW Leadership® is CAWP’s national initiative to educate and empower the next generation of leaders. This multi-day residential program teaches college students the value of civic engagement and helps them develop the skills to become more involved in their campuses and communities. NEW Leadership® inspires students to see themselves as empowered leaders who can effectively participate in politics and public policy. Although women constitute over 50% of the population and have outvoted men in every national election since 1980, women have made only modest gains in representation in our state and national decision-making bodies over the past three decades.
CAWP’s research indicates that women bring different priorities and experiences to public life and provide perspectives that are often underrepresented in political decision-making (Dittmar, et.al. 2017). While many college women indicate an interest in public service and are active in community and volunteer organizations, studies have shown that young women are significantly less likely than young men to be interested in politics or to view political involvement as a priority (Lawless and Fox 2013).
History
NEW Leadership® was created by CAWP in 1991 to encourage college women to become civically engaged and to consider careers in politics — such as becoming campaign workers, non-profit organizers, government appointees, lobbyists, aides and advisors, staffers for elected officials, and/or as elected officials themselves. The six-day residential summer institute educates college students about politics and policy-making and helps them develop the skills and confidence necessary to join the rising vanguard of public leaders that we need.
In an era where partisan gridlock, rancor, and scandal are front and center in the media, young people often confront a very negative view of politics and politicians. At NEW Leadership® students interact with political women who are dedicated public servants and represent a wide range of backgrounds, political perspectives, and experiences. The students learn first-hand that many of the negative stereotypes they hold about politicians are inaccurate.
NEW Leadership® participants are undergraduate students representing a wide range of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, educational backgrounds, academic majors, and ideological perspectives. During the NEW Leadership® summer institute, students meet with women in a variety of roles in the public sphere, learn about the history of women’s political participation, explore ideas about women, leadership and politics, and participate in hands-on skills-building exercises. After the institute, students are encouraged to take the skills they learned and put them into action on their campuses and in their communities.
Since 1999, the Center for American Women and Politics has expanded the NEW Leadership® National Network across the country by selecting up to three educational institutions each year to join the National Network as partners. The NEW Leadership® Network offers partner institutions a unique opportunity for building and strengthening connections to political women in the region. Without exception, the NEW Leadership® programs in each successful partner school have garnered strong commitments from women leaders in the area.
Participation in the NEW Leadership® National Network creates an opportunity for partner schools to expand their institutions’ leadership education programming and outreach to women. NEW Leadership® can help develop the institutional capacities of partner schools; some partners have established centers and institutes for women and politics with NEW Leadership® as their keystone program.
Curriculum
The six-point curriculum establishes a pedagogical foundation for the NEW Leadership® programs. This curriculum can be adapted to accommodate a wide range of political cultures, geographic regions, populations, and institutions. Network partners implement the curriculum in their own way to incorporate state and regional issues and institutional strengths.
The six-point NEW Leadership® curriculum:
- Teach about women's historical and contemporary contributions to American politics and policymaking.
- Connect students with women leaders who make a difference in the public sphere.
- Help participants explore concepts of leadership in a diverse society.
- Cultivate participants’ leadership skills.
- Encourage students to practice leadership through action.
- Engage students in activities that will enhance their career development and expand their career opportunities.
Living in Residence
NEW Leadership® participants are required to live on campus throughout the summer institute; we consider the residential nature of the program an integral component of the NEW Leadership® experience. The residential requirement creates an intensive learning experience that is impossible to replicate with a series of one-day programs. Living together for several nights builds a sense of community among the group and encourages friendly interaction among the participants. At NEW Leadership® the learning experience extends beyond the formal sessions of the day and continues in the dorms, where students can share ideas, challenge opinions they heard during sessions, reflect, and discuss in a way that would not occur if they went their separate ways after the day’s formal program ended.
Connecting with Women Leaders
Strong role models can serve as powerful sources of inspiration. At NEW Leadership®, students hear from women leaders with a variety of perspectives, roles, and experiences. In addition to the political women who serve as speakers or panelists, each NEW Leadership® program invites three women leaders to stay for the entire six-day program to serve as Faculty in Residence (FIRs). The participation of these political women, living on campus and interacting with the participants throughout the program, is critical to the success of NEW Leadership®. The FIRs serve as mentors and role models. Through their own experiences, these women illustrate some of the challenges and experiences that women leaders face in both their public and private lives. They provide insight into different styles of leadership and help the students overcome cynicism about politicians and government.
Building Diverse and Inclusive Leaders
As we are seeing the country become more diverse, it is essential for future leaders to receive an education in environments that reflect the populations they will be serving. Nevertheless, on most college campuses and neighborhoods, students often spend their time with people who look and think like them. We believe that in order to prepare a generation of leaders for the 21st century, it is essential to be inclusive and help students learn about and develop language around their own identities and those of their peers.
During the summer institute, students interact with people who have different ideas, backgrounds, and life experiences. We strive to ensure that each NEW Leadership® program includes students, speakers, and staff who exemplify a broad range of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, educational backgrounds, academic majors, and ideological perspectives. Throughout the program, students engage in discussions about social justice and explore the impact of public policy on diverse populations. NEW Leadership® aims to provide students with a safe space where they can respectfully address issues of difference and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with leadership in a diverse society.
Leadership through Action
NEW Leadership® minimizes the use of panels and speakers in order to engage the participants in hands-on exercises that encourage them to practice their leadership skills. The majority of the program sessions are interactive and student driven. During the summer institute, students participate in workshops to develop skills such as public speaking, networking, and advocacy training. They are given the opportunity to practice these skills throughout the program.
After attending the summer institute, participants are urged to continue honing these skills by seeking out leadership experiences on their campuses and communities. Experiences NEW Leadership® programs encourage students to get involved in include: running for office in a campus organization, organizing a student group, working on a campaign, or organizing around a political issue on their campuses or in their communities.