LeadAR: Empowering Arkansans, Transforming Communities

LeadAR is an educational program with an array of learning opportunities. As a participant you will be involved in open discussions, facilitation, individual/group presentations, speaker introductions, peer-to-peer coaching, and much more. Along with the seminars, you will be asked to complete assignments on your own and in a group setting. Some of these assignments may include the use of social media, video conferencing, research, and interactions with alumni and other relevant stakeholders. All participants will select, implement,and complete a leadership service project in their local area. Other assignments may include:

Electronic Media: Most communication between LeadAR staff and class participants will be via email and phone.The class will use an online platform for other assignments and group work. All evaluations will be web-based and completed after each seminar. Video conferencing will be utilized throughout the program between seminars to enhance the learning opportunities and maintain participant engagement throughout the program.

Reading: Books and articles will be recommended. These readings are designed to prepare participants for upcoming seminar programs and other homework.

Public Speaking/Presentations: You will gain experience in public speaking through a variety of experience and activities. This includes but is not limited to self-introductions, impromptu speaking, speaker introductions, presiding over sessions, individual/group presentations, and group facilitation.

Assessments: Part of the program involves increasing your self-awareness as a leader. A variety of assessment instruments, peer-to-peer coaching, and individualized coaching will be used to accomplish this.

Seminar Evaluation: You will be expected to complete an anonymous online survey evaluation after each seminar. These serve as very important reflection tools that help to complete the adult learning cycle and allow all participants to gain insights from their classmates. They also help us improve the program. Evaluation summaries will be shared with participants and programs sponsors. Additionally, these surveys help LeadAR staff with program effectiveness and delivery.

Program educational philosophy: LeadAR has been specifically developed to “grow leaders from the inside out.” This concept is based on leader development research showing that to become a person of influence and an effective leader, one must first understand yourself. LeadAR follows adult learning principles indicating that adults learn best through a continuous cycle of instruction, practice, feedback, and reflection (Kolb). LeadAR utilizes a transformative learning approach, which transforms the learner from a receiver of information to a learning initiator, information seeker, problem solver, and evaluator. LeadAR program content is designed to provide opportunities to develop, self-awareness, enhance self-motivation, and hone self-regulation.

Tolerance, respect, and open-mindedness: As a LeadAR participant, you will be exposed to points of view, value systems, allegiances and individual beliefs that may conflict with your own perspectives. We believe that exposure to these differing points of view optimizes learning through cultivating rigorous and challenging learning environments–environments that champion the notion of common ground and empathy. We do not expect you to change your beliefs or values, but we do expect that you will consider others’ viewpoints in an environment of tolerance and mutual respect.

Non-partisan, non-political: LeadAR provides an intensive learning opportunity on topics that include government, the political process, and lobbying. It is important to remember that we do not advocate one political ideology over another. LeadAR does not endorse candidates or take a position on political/legislative issues, and participants should refrain from portraying themselves as representing the program when engaged in such activities. While we hope you will get involved in the political process, our role is to teach you how to be more effective in those roles rather than dictate a specific agenda.

Room Assignments: You will share a room with a classmate of the same gender at all seminars and study tours except those where spouses/partners are invited. Room assignments will be rotated so that each participant will room with a different classmate throughout the program. Program staff will make the room assignments.This programmatic component is well established and non-negotiable.

Dress Code: Leaders in general -and representatives of the LeadAR Program in particular -are expected to present themselves in a manner appropriate for the settings in which we operate. Dress codes for specific portions of our program will usually be suggested in seminar agendas.

Participants should use good judgment. Our dress code will be listed as one of three categories, with the following descriptions:

Business Attire: To be worn in formal settings

• Men –suit (or sports coat and slacks), dress shirt, tie, and dress shoes
• Women –business suit or business dress, dress shoes

Business Casual: The most frequent dress code for seminars

• Men –sport coat or sweater (depending on weather), dress or collared shirt (tie optional), slacks or khakis (no jeans), dress shoes
• Women –Dress slacks or khakis (no jeans), skirt, dress shirt or blouse, dress shoes

Casual: Infrequent; used only on travel days, free time, and some tours

• Men –Casual slacks (or clean, neat jeans), collared shirt, casual shoes
• Women –Casual slacks or skirt (or clean, neat jeans), shirt or blouse, or dress, casual shoes

Selection for the LeadAR Program is very competitive. We select individual participants who not only want to develop their leadership skills but who also want to develop lasting relationships and effect lasting change for Arkansas communities. When you miss a seminar, you not only diminish your ability to benefit from this program, but you also compromise your classmates’ opportunity to learn from you.

Furthermore, tuition covers only a fraction of the full cost of participation in LeadAR. Program sponsors and donors make significant investments in your leadership potential. These individuals and organizations have a legitimate right to expect a return on that investment, which is jeopardized by a failure to fully participate in the program.

Finally, much of what we do in the program builds upon material covered in earlier seminars. If one seminar is missed, it is often difficult or impossible to comprehensively catch up. You are not just expected to show up at seminars; you are expected to participate fully and productively from start to finish of each seminar unless prior arrangements have been made with the program director.

For these reasons and more, we set a very high attendance expectation. We expect ALL class members to be at ALL seminars, ALL the time. That said, we realize that as busy adult professionals, sometimes circumstances beyond your control may prevent your full participation. Unexpected health emergencies, a death in the family, a true crisis at work or a previously scheduled, major commitment, may be grounds for an excused absence. (Note that simply being “too busy” is not an acceptable excuse; it is more an indicator of poor planning and time management.)

No matter the cause, each absence should be brought to the attention of LeadAR staff as soon as possible and before the seminar begins. With the multiple modes of communication available today (telephone, e-mail, text message), there is no excuse for lack of communication in advance. Each absence will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and excessive absences may be grounds for dismissal from the program.

The LeadAR Advisory Council has established specific guidelines for dealing with absences. As a general rule, absences will be excused for:

• Family Emergencies
• Natural Disasters
• Illness
• Court Subpoena

Other absences will be reviewed by the LeadAR Advisory Council. Penalties and disciplinary actions will be imposed for excessive unexcused absences.

In year one you will travel to Washington D.C. where you will explore the complexities of policy development alongside law makers and policy experts. Additionally, you will meet with top-level officials representing government agencies, nonprofits, and industry. You will also meet with your congressional delegation and their top aides to discuss current issues facing your own communities and how they can be addressed.

In year two you will have the opportunity to travel to a different country for seven to ten days. This study tour offers the opportunity to meet with a broad array of leaders including ambassadors, farmers, government ministers, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders,and other stakeholders. Through this hands-on approach, participants will explore different global issues and political dynamics—issues such as politics, economics, trade, commerce, education, culture and agriculture—and compare them to the United States.

Since the program began, LeadAR class members have visited 34 countries. The country selected for the international study tour is determined by the LeadAR Advisory Council with approval by the UA System Division of Agriculture’s Associate Vice President for Agriculture–Extension. Travel locations are selected based on current events, learning opportunities, and in-country resources that support the program’s educational objectives and safety of the participants.

Note: If you believe that you might have professional or personal obligations that might preclude you from participating in all the program seminars and activities, please reach out to the program director to discuss the specifics of your situation before applying.

As part of the program completion, you will plan and implement a Leadership Service Project. This will require you to identify a community need, design a project and implement the project aimed at improving the quality of life for their communities. Past projects have included building a local library, applying for grants to secure restrooms for a public park, and the development of the annual Goat Festival located in Perryville, AR.

Tuition for LeadAR is $3,500. This covers seminar expenses, including most lodging, most meals, travel expenses while at the seminar (e.g.,bus tours), and other seminar expenses (e.g.,materials, admission fees). If you need flexible payment options, contact LeadAR staff, to set up a payment plan.

You are welcome to seek tuition support from outside sources. Employers often recognize the value of the LeadAR program and may be willing to assist with tuition payment. In the event of financial hardship, where full tuition cannot be secured, scholarships are available to assist with payment. Scholarship requests should be made in writing to LeadAR staff by your interview date. It is the participant’s responsibility to pursue these financial aid options, and to ensure that all tuition charges are paid in full.

As a participant you will be responsible for travel to and from each seminar, additional lodging costs are not included in the seminar schedule (i.e.,one or more nights before the start or after the end of a seminar), some meals (relatively few), tips, incidental expenses at hotels (e.g., room service, movies, etc.), and alcoholic beverages. The program makes every effort to keep these out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.

Most group meals will be arranged and paid for by the program. LeadAR staff will make every attempt to accommodate special dietary requirements (e.g., food allergies, diabetic requirements) for group meal functions. However, it may not be possible to accommodate all requests in all locations. If you have special dietary requirements, you may want to bring provisions for these situations.