Public Service Leadership Fellows Program

Public Service Leadership Fellows Winter Class 2008 (left to right)

(top row) Ronald Tisdale, Tiq Chapa, Garrett Neiman, Mondaire Jones, Niko Milonopoulos; (row 3) Sarah Golabek-Goldman, Abimbola Dairo, James Chu, Kasiana McLenaghan, Jessica Perez , Stefanie Demong, Nick Cheng (Haas staff);
(row 2) Theo Milonopoulos, Jay de la Torre, Lia Bonamassa, Angie McPhaul, Amanda Gelender, Amanda Itliong (Haas staff); (bottom row) Pin-Yi Ko, Meera Subash, Rebecca Tisdale, Lauren Ponti, Mario Suntanu.

Program Overview
The Public Service Leadership Fellows Program provides a comprehensive opportunity for current Sophomores and Juniors of any major at Stanford University who want to be intentional in their leadership development. Components of the program include: Foundations of Leadership, Leadership Practice, and Synthesizing Leadership Learning. These components are outlined below.

Candidates begin the program in the winter quarter with the introductory 2-unit course "Introduction to Public Service Leadership." Through the five-quarter experience, candidates build a strong community of peer-leaders who will learn with and from each other. Each candidate is actively involved in leading a public service program and brings a unique set of experiences and perspectives to the group. After the initial course, much of the work is independent and can be done at a student's own pace over the next four quarters.

All participating candidates will be assigned to a Haas Center advisor and be expected to meet with him or her at least once each quarter. The purpose of the advising sessions is to provide candidates a chance to revisit and revise learning plans, provide program assessments, synthesize learning from various components of the program, and discuss future goals and opportunities.

For program flyer and application materials please click here. Leadership Fellows are selected Winter Quarter each year. The 2007 Deadline is Monday, November 12, 2007 at 5 pm. For more information, contact Amanda Crowell Itliong: (650) 724-9233, akc@stanford.edu.

Click here for additional information regarding the leadership development philosophy, vision, values and practices, which provide the framework for our Leadership Fellows Program.

Foundations of Leadership
Candidates will gain an appreciation of leadership development as a field of study as well as comprehension
of select leadership models, practices and values in the context of service. Candidates will satisfy this requirement by completing the initial Introduction to Public Service Leadership Course in Winter Quarter as well as an approved leadership course.

Candidates will attend three skill building workshops on topics such as those listed below:
Conflict Resolution; Decision Making; Building Effective Teams; Leadership Transition; Motivation and Leadership; Oral Presentation/Public Speaking; Leadership and Ethics; Delegation; P.R. and Media Training;Meeting Management/Facilitation; Membership Development & Retention; Grant Writing/Fundraising;Philanthropy 101; Govt. & Policy - Advocacy Training; Public Service Job Search; Vision & Goal Setting;Negotiation; Strategic Planning; Networking and Relationship Building

Candidates will complete a self-assessment program by completing:
- the two-part Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI)
- a Values Assessment

and two additional assessments such as the following:
- Team Oriented Behavior Inventory
- Skills Assessment
- MBTI Personality Assessment
- Emotional Intelligence

Candidates will gain exposure to individuals who can serve as model leaders in public service through Community Leader Interviews. Candidates are asked to identify and interview three public service leaders. These leaders will represent various aspects of the public service spectrum (i.e., direct service, philanthropy, advocacy, government, etc.) and should be working in the student's field of interest. A paper explaining lessons learned will be submitted for each community leader interview.

Leadership Practice
The Leadership Fellows Program requires candidates to be actively involved in leading a public service program for at least three quarters. The practice component will provide a context or "laboratory" for developing leadership skills and a personal approach to leadership. It will also be a focal point for the personal and group reflection activities that are a part of the Fellows Program.

Qualifying leadership experiences include:
* Leadership position within a community service student organization
* Tutor Coordinator for Ravenswood Reads, Ravenswood English, EPASA, or Upward Bound
* Leading an Alternative Spring Break experience
* Leadership position within ASSU
* Leadership position within a Community Center or the Residential Education program
* Leadership position in other student organizations approved on a case-by-case basis

Candidates are required to engage in structured reflection opportunities, both verbal and written, to assess their leadership experiences and determine what public service leadership means to them. Much of the reflection activity will be centered on the candidate's leadership practice experience. Monthly "Leadership Roundtable" reflection sessions will be required. These sessions will provide an opportunity for candidates to connect with each other, share what they are experiencing and learning through their leadership practice activity, and learn from each other's experiences. These sessions will also address topics including Exploring the Spectrum of Public Service and Principles of Ethical and Effective Service.

Candidates identify a "mentor/coach" during their tenure in the program. They are expected to meet with their "mentor/coach" while they are serving as a leader. Mentors/coaches may be members of the Stanford community, including alumni, or individuals working in a leadership capacity within the fields of the candidate's interest.

Synthesizing Leadership Learning
Candidates will complete a Leadership Learning Plan outlining their personal goals and expectations regarding their leadership development. This will also include proposed objectives demonstrating how they will be intentional about achieving their goals.

Fellows will establish and maintain a Leadership Learning Portfolio including assessment, reflection, and evaluation materials. The purpose of the portfolio is to encourage candidates to be actively engaged in the on-going synthesis of their learning and leadership development. Learning portfolios will be shared with Haas Center advisors and potentially with the candidate's mentor.

All Fellows completing the program in a given year will take part in the Capstone Experience. This will include several group sessions during the spring quarter, and they will incorporate the following activities:
* Future learning plan
* Program evaluation
* Recognition/celebration event
* Presentation at leadership community event

Program Completion
Following the Capstone Experience and completion of all program requirements, candidates become Public Service Leadership Fellows!

The Public Service Leadership Fellows Program is directed by Amanda Crowell Itliong and assisted by Nick Cheng. For questions regarding the program please contact Amanda: 724-9233, akc@stanford.edu, or Nick: 725-0543, nicholas.cheng@stanford.edu.