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FRATERNITY'S INAUGURAL COLLEGE CHAPTER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HELD AT MORGAN STATE & JOHNS HOPKINS
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he inaugural training seminars for the Fraternity's College Chapter Leadership Academy were held this summer in Baltimore, Maryland. The pilot program, directed by Brother Dr. Ralph Johnson, provided an intense curriculum designed to enhance student developmental and leadership skills. Morgan State University and Johns Hopkins University hosted the sessions.
development, involvement theory and service learning, among others.
Brother Ralph Johnson (center) lectures students during visit to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Leadership Academy Brothers are photosraphed with Executive Director Hebrew L. Dixon (center) during visit to Fraternity's Corporate Headquarters. Seven College Brothers participated in the Academy training. They were: Rashid Alexander and Maurice Gardener of Sigma Delta Chapter, Elon College (North Carolina); Leroy Harris of Kappa Psi Chapter, University of Arkansas; Yancey Trevor Beauford of Xi Phi Chapter, Winthrop University (South Carolina); Mill Etienne of Zeta Chapter, Yale University; Aundre Hogue of Sigma Phi Chapter, Indiana-Purdue University; and A. Gregory Winborne of Theta Nu Chapter, University of South Carolina. "What makes the program unique is the student development foundation on which it is based," explained Brother Johnson. Several student development theories were used as the theoretical framework within which the program operated. The theories included the Student Wellness Model for holistic
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Brother Johnson emphasized the special importance of the Wellness Model in the Academy training. "The Wellness Model will be of particular importance because it allows us to tap the cognitive, social, spiritual, physical and cultural dimensions of our College Brothers' development. As such, participants will be challenged to explore the philosophical and pragmatic aspects of the Alpha experience." The preparation and detailed planning for the six-day program proved to be well worth the considerable effort its facilitators put forth. The Academy participants received instruction and/or re-enforcement in two main areas. First, the Brothers gained a better understanding of the corporate structure and day-to-day business of the Fraternity. This, along with leadership training, will help them to participate more fully in the internal and external workings of the organization. The second aspect was to provide training that Brothers may use as alumni members in their local chapters, and in their professional lives. These sessions included activities designed to enhance their knowledge and skill in managerial as well as organizational leadership. In order to evaluate the success of the program, participants underwent a battery of pre/post-academy assessments. The SPHINX™ - Fall 1998 ~ www.apal906.org