SPARTAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

The WCS Leadership Academy is a program within the Institute for Community Impact that invests in our students by providing leadership training and guidance in the non-profit, civic and business sectors. The Academy empowers students to grow in their own leadership traits, explore industries, challenge ideas, define issues, and develop strategies for action. We move students to engage with the community through advocacy and a commitment to service.

We believe graduating Spartans should have an understanding of who they are, and how their service may transform our communities and our world. Equipping students to engage with their civic, nonprofit and business community is our duty at Collegiate. This serves our future. As we build students with an aim to lead and make a difference, we believe we are positively affecting the culture for now and in the future.

WHY THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY?

We believe graduating Spartans should have an understanding of who they are, and how their service may transform our communities and our world. Equipping students to engage with their civic and business community is our duty at Collegiate. This serves our future. As we build students with an aim to lead and make a difference, we believe we are positively affecting the culture for now and in the future.

WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY?

We offer Juniors and Seniors active opportunities to make a difference in their own way about the things they care about. Through the Wichita Collegiate Leadership Academy, students engage their community through nonprofit, civic and business sectors. Students learn directly from industry executives eager to develop student passions to create meaningful change in Wichita and beyond.

Students attend workshops Sundays that are 2 hours long. Each Sunday Seminar may have multiple components: a speaker, an interactive moment for strategic team building (with an action item), a short article for review, or a TED Talk or podcast related to the issue.

Students successfully completing all program requirements during junior and seniors years will graduate from Wichita Collegiate School with Distinction.

TRACKS FOR STUDY

During their Senior year, students will select one of 3 Leadership Tracks for more in-depth study.

Business Leadership
This track focuses on how to lead in an entrepreneurial and business setting. Students will understand and explore start-up businesses, management, strategy, marketing, and finance.

Civic Leadership
Seniors in this track focus on issues of public concern. Upon completion students will understand how to manage and lead in public service. They will also learn about civic engagement and leadership, community organizing, and the role local government plays in the community.

Non-Profit Leadership
Students selecting this track will focus on what it takes to run a non-profit. The Leadership Academy works with non-profits around the community to understand how they fulfill community needs, as well how they develop their board of trustees and management teams.

JUNIOR TRACK OF STUDY

During 2021-2022, Juniors in Leadership Academy will:

Explore general Leadership principles and practices
Explore all three tracks of Business, Civics and Nonprofits
Complete ten 2-hour workshops throughout the year (see calendar below). This will include five general Leadership sessions, one of each senior track, plus the beginning and closing sessions.
Complete reflection and follow-up questions, to ensure application and understanding after each session
To sign up, email JoyAnn Brake at jbrake@wcsks.com

SENIOR TRACK OF STUDY

During 2021-2022, Seniors in Leadership Academy will:

Choose a track
Invest in one area of interest
Receive a mentor and advisor in connection with an organization
Receive a Shadowship (job-shadowing internship) for 20+ hours during school year
Complete seven 2-hour workshops throughout the year; this includes their individual track sessions plus the opening and closing sessions.
Complete a senior project which summarizes their Shadowship experience, and growth in personal Leadership development.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

All workshops have several components including a speaker, an action item (or interactive moment for application or team building), a short article to review, and/or a TED Talk or podcast related to the issue discussed in the workshop. Follow-up and Reflection Questions will be posted in Schoology for student homework.

Workshops are offered on Sundays from 2 to 4 PM. The complete schedule is below.

PROGRAM KICK-OFF SESSION, FOR ALL MEMBERS

September 19, 2021 - Leadership at Every Level
Tom Gentile, President and CEO of Spirit Aerosystems, kicks off this year's program with a session for all Leadership Academy members and parents. Mr. Gentile will address the topic of leadership principles from the top, as well leadership traits that every person should aim to have at every level. Want to grow as a leader? Listen carefully and take notes!

JUNIOR GENERAL SESSIONS

October 24, 2021 - Yes, You are a Leader: Introduction to Leadership
Speaker Donna Wright from the Kansas Leadership Center addresses the question "How will I lead?" Academy members will discuss strategic leadership, the differences between governance and management, and the concept of Servant Leadership.

December 5, 2021 - GPA Isn’t Everything: Emotional Intelligence and Personality Profile
Part 1: Hans Widener discusses how Emotional Intelligence helps you better understand yourself and those around you

Part 2: WCS College Counselors Amanda Booth & Sasha Kuchinski help students navigate their personality profile. The workshop focuses on understanding different ways that we perceive, take in, and absorb information, and how those processes determine the ways we work, think, solve problems, communicate, and lead.

January 23, 2022 - Telling and Selling Your Story: Difficult Conversations and Building Bridges
Speaker Audrey Hane, Ph.D., and Professor of Communication at Newman University guides students on crafting their message to show their value. Developing credibility, emotional appeal, and exploring the modes of persuasion are all topics of discussion this session. In addition, Ms. Hane will lead students through the art of difficult conversations to improve relationships and develop problem-solving skills.

February 20, 2022 - Take Back Your Time: Habit Training and Time Management
Speakers Bunny Hill and Katie Leiding present together to teach how to use habit training to supercharge your productivity. This includes time management and other strategies to make the most of your days and your life!

PROGRAM CLOSING SESSION, FOR ALL MEMBERS

March 27, 2022: When Civics, Nonprofits and Business Work Together to Better our Community and World (Askia Ahmad from Stand Together)

Nonprofit Track Sessions

October 24, 2021 - Passion is Not Enough: Understanding the Business behind the Nonprofit
Speaker Shelly Prichard, President and CEO of Wichita Community Foundation

January 30, 2022 - Making the Asks: Knowing Your Network and Using its Strengths Speaker Deb Voth, President of Rainbows

February 6, 2022 - Street Cred: Credibility and Consistency in the Community
Speaker Debbie Kennedy, President and CEO Wichita Children’s Home

February 27, 2022: Finding Your Fit: Leadership Styles
Speaker Mary Shannon, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters

March 6, 2022 - Building a Legacy: Setting a Clear Vision for a Healthy Culture
Speaker Danielle Johnson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity

Business Track Sessions

October 3, 2021 - Entrepreneurship: Building from the Ground Up
Speaker Marquis Bradley, Entrepreneur

November 7, 2021 - Dollars and Sense: Financial Decision-Making
Speaker Mark Suchinski, Chief Financial Officer of Spirit Aerosystems

February 6, 2022 - More Than a Job: Building Culture
Speaker Jeff Johnson, President of Flint Hills Golf Club and Entrepreneur

February 27, 2022: Finding Your Fit: Leadership Styles
Speaker Mary Shannon, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters

March 6, 2022 - Team Players: Motivating Employees
Speaker Evan Rosell, Greater Wichita Partnership

Civics Track Sessions

October 3, 2021 - What is Civic Engagement?
Speaker from Kansas Leadership Center

January 30, 2022 - Finding Your Fit: Passion Projects within Civic Engagement
2-part, multi-topic discussion that will explore the various, non-elected and non-political roles available in civic engagement, as well as how to find your fit for pursuing passion projects under the civic engagement umbrella. Panel Discussion with Dr. Russell A. Fox (Friends University) and Judge Kevin M. Smith

February 6, 2022 - Building Longevity: Getting Involved and Staying Engaged
Panel Discussion with Dalton Glasscock, (former SCRP Chair and Adjunct Lecturer in American Politics) Chris Pumpelly (Ad Astra Group, aide to Mayor Whipple campaign)

March 6, 2022 - So You Want to Be Civically Engaged? WCS, Civics, and You