Do you know a high school sophomore who would like to develop their leadership characteristics and soft skills, expand their local network, and learn more about the industries, opportunities, and challenges Columbia has to offer? All current sophomores in Columbia are encouraged to apply for a position in Junior Leadership Columbia for the 2018-2019 school year. Junior Leadership Columbia is an annual 9-month Chamber program which develops the next generation of community leaders.
New this year: students must apply for Junior Leadership Columbia online via the Chamber’s website by April 3, attaching required documents and sending separately a letter of recommendation. Application information can be accessed here.
For the 2018-2019 year, there is no cost to apply. If accepted, there is a $150 participation fee to offset program expenses, to be paid within a month of acceptance. Multiple needs-based scholarships are available. Students intending to apply for a scholarship can click the applicable box noting that they cannot otherwise afford to participate.
The selection committee looks for students who have demonstrated leadership in the past or have a strong interest in leadership and who wish to hold leadership roles in their communities, schools and/or vocations. A select number of applicants will be asked to participate in an interview with members of the selection committee. After being interviewed, the final 25 students will be invited to participate in the program.
Junior Leadership Columbia begins in late August 2018 and consists of eight Monday evening sessions from 5 – 7:30 p.m., one Saturday service project, one full day field trip to the Capitol, and one morning at the March 2019 Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Membership Breakfast. The program concludes with a graduation banquet in April 2019.
In Junior Leadership Columbia, students participate in training surrounding nine leadership characteristics: advocacy, ambition, commitment, courage, creativity, innovation, integrity, self-awareness, and self-confidence. They learn about the business community and are exposed to a number of sectors relative to the character trait topic such as media, state government, civil service, entrepreneurism, etc. Sessions are organized by volunteer members of the community and experts from various organizations and institutions.
If you have any questions, please contact Jolyn Sattizahn, Vice President of Community Affairs and liaison to the Junior Leadership Columbia program at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at (573) 817-9112.
The 2018-2019 Junior Leadership Columbia program was made possible by our generous sponsors:
Presenting and Printing Sponsor:
Gold Sponsors Direct Travel / Suzi Davis Travel, MBS Textbook Exchange, Missouri Credit Union, and Moberly Area Community College; T-Shirt Sponsor Missouri Cotton Exchange; Water Sponsor EcoWater Systems; Graduation Location Sponsor First Baptist Church; Meal Sponsors Jersey Mike’s Subs, Pancheros Mexican Grill, and Pickleman’s Gourmet Café