Minot State introduces new leadership program

By Andrew Weeks

MINOT, N.D. • Students and those who work in business will be better prepared for leadership roles after participating in a new program at Minot State University.

The school started the Looyenga Leadership Program this fall, according to program Director Jim Sturm, and offers a certification and concentration of study for those enrolled in the program.

The program is made possible through a $1 million donation from Roger and Ann Looyenga, who wanted to offer leadership classes to area students and community members alike.

The program includes an introductory class and two advanced classes, which, among other things, will teach students about self-awareness, teamwork, organizational skills, and getting students into the community to gain real-life leadership experiences with a mentor. Those who already have a job may use that as their mentorship.

“If somebody who is already working, and who is just coming back because they want to get the certificate, they could actually do this at the place they’re working,” Sturm said. “If there is a business owner in the community, for instance, who wants to take this certificate program, they can apply what they’re doing in real life, rather than having to find an additional place to work for the class; they use the experience they’re getting on the job.”

THE NEW LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AT MINOT STATE INCLUDES AN INTRODUCTORY CLASS AND TWO ADVANCED CLASSES, WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS WILL TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT SELF-AWARENESS, TEAMWORK, ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS, AND GETTING STUDENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY TO GAIN REAL-LIFE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES WITH A MENTOR.

IMAGE: COURTESY OF MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY

Sturm said the school is offering the introductory class this semester and will likely offer it again the following semester before adding the two other classes in fall 2021. The introductory class, which has around 50 students – though Sturm said it can be modified to accommodate more – currently is offered in a hybrid format, with students rotating between class and online in an effort to not overcrowd the classroom during the pandemic.

The program is not only new to Minot State, but unique in that it doesn’t focus only on business leadership but on principles that can be applied across a variety of platforms and professions. It is a multidisciplinary program because, Sturm said, leadership encompasses many aspects of life and career.

“Leadership goes across all different disciplines, and so that’s really how we’re looking at it,” he said. “We wanted it to be more than just for the School of Business. We wanted it to be something that every student could participate in because they’re all going to need it. Whether you’re a nurse or a teacher, all of those fields still require leadership. … This is a multidisciplinary program available to any student.”

In the future, the program will offer more workshops and on-campus opportunities, including additional mentor programs.

The class has personal meaning for Sturm, who arrived in Minot from Buffalo, N.Y., in September to lead the program.

“I’ve been teaching and running leadership programs for about 30 years,” he said, noting he’s held a number of administrative positions but “wanted to get back to what I like best, which is working on leadership development. And so this really was an opportunity to make a move and go back to what I’m most passionate about.”

There currently is one instructor for the introductory class, but Sturm said more instructors will be added as the additional classes come on board. He eventually will be one of the instructors.

So far the response has been positive, he said, and Sturm is both grateful to the Looyengas for making the program possible and is excited to see the program grow.

“I think when we talk with students about these types of programs, they get very excited,” he said. “They know that leadership is essential for them to be successful – whether it’s in their careers or making a difference (in other aspects of life) or helping people, they want the skills that they’ll need and they know that leadership is one of those skills. I think students get very excited about that.”