Imagine your community is the midst of a crisis: a massive electrical outage, a hazardous spill, or the collapse of a major communications system across a town.
Now, imagine you are one of about four to six individuals in a position of leadership in that community that is called into action to work through the logistics and processes needed to persevere. And you’ll be judged on how your team works together to formulate the action plan.
The Washburn University Leadership Challenge Event (LCE) is a two-day crisis management simulation and an opportunity for applied learning. It provides students with intellectual and practical leadership development in a unique forum and the opportunity to network with peers from across the country.
The Staley School of Leadership is looking for undergraduate or masters-seeking students to participate in the 2024 event, which will take place Feb. 29-March 1, 2024. Students will represent Kansas State University in the two-day event at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Travel, meals, and accommodations are included, and the team will travel with Emmanuel Jeje, team advisor and graduate research assistant for the Kansas State University Office of Engagement.
Students interested in participating on the K-State team at the 2024 Washburn Leadership Challenge Event should email Emmanuel Jeje at eajeje@ksu.edu by Dec. 8, 2023.
Last year, the Staley School took a team of five. View a story map of the event here.
Karlyn Gustin, majoring in human development and family science with a secondary major in gerontology, and a minor in leadership studies, was on the 2023 team.
“In the Staley School of Leadership, we often discuss how leadership is an activity, not a position. I was able to first-hand see other students exercising leadership by collaborating with their peers, leaning on their peer’s strengths and supporting their team members throughout the event,” said Gustin.
“I saw the idea of leadership being an activity and not a position come to life as my team worked together.”
Jess Ramirez, graduate student in public health, also participated on the team.
“For me, attending this event reinforced the importance of trusting in other people’s ability to practice leadership. Everyone can be a leader just as they are, with the knowledge and experience they have today,” said Jess Ramirez, graduate teaching assistant in the Staley School of Leadership.
Hello! I am a KSU Masters student in Anatomy and Physiology. I am interested in the Washburn University Leadership Challenge Event (LCE) and would like to learn more about this opportunity and what it entails. Please contact me with more information!