Female students from all over the state, including four Southeast undergraduates, participated in the 21st Century Leadership Academy hosted at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

The academy involved female college students in the world of political leadership and professional development. Among other activities, students had the opportunity to network with professional mentors, gain professional experience in politics, go to Jefferson City, Missouri, and debate a bill on the Senate floor, participate in a mock legislative session at the State Capitol and learn about leadership in many different forms during the week of May 21 through 26.

Associate professor of political science and active member of Southeast’s Women in Public Life program Dr. Debra Holzhauer helped select the students who would represent Southeast at the academy. The academy typically brings out the enthusiasm and passion students hold for leadership, Holzhauer said.

“I, myself, have never heard anyone express a negative comment about [the leadership academy],” Holzhauer said. “Most, if not all, say that the academy is one of the best experiences they have ever had, which says a lot about the experience.”

Students in attendance from Southeast Missouri State University were Kara Hartnett, Ellen Gieselman, Marina Zager and Erika Bone. Each of them had good things to say about the experience, noting the learning experience in particular.

“The leadership academy was a great way to meet some of St. Louis’ finest women,” Gieselman, an incoming junior and middle school education major, said. “The academy provides its fellows with a challenge worth facing.”

In addition to these students, the acting Southeast faculty adviser this year was Julie Twidwell, an instructor in the Department of Nursing. Each year, a different Southeast faculty member takes on this position, so several educators also get to share the experience of the academy.

For future Southeast students who are considering applying for next year’s academy, the representatives said the best things about the experience are the learning opportunities and the chance to meet prominent women in leadership roles. Additionally, they said not to be afraid to reach out to policymakers and to be open to hearing and learning about different viewpoints.

“It is when we learn of other views that we can strengthen our own and gain a better understanding of not only our views, but the other person,” Bone said. She is an in incoming sophomore studying business administration with a minor in political science. “I think most people are scared to reach out to someone they don’t know … but this week I learned that most of the time the person is going to be willing to help you and the worst that could happen is that they say no.”

One thing is unanimous among the attendees: the experience was an incredible opportunity.

“This week has been one that I will never forget,” Bone said. “It has been a very demanding week, but the knowledge and experience you gain from it is well worth it.”

The academy, sponsored by the Sue Shear Institute for Public Life, was named after Sue Shear, a former representative for the Missouri House of Representatives for 26 years. Shear was recruited in 1972 by the St. Louis chapter of the Women’s Political Caucus as a Missouri House candidate and was known for advocating less-represented groups, including women, children, senior citizens and economically-struggling members of society. After Shear’s retirement and subsequent death in 1998, the Missouri Legislature and the University of Missouri Board of Curators chose to name the academy in Shear’s honor.

Participating universities include Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri – Columbia, University of Missouri – Kansas City, University of Missouri – St. Louis and Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Next year’s academy dates have not been announced, but for questions regarding the academy or the Women in Public Life, interested students may contact Debra Holzhauer by email at dholzhauer@semo.edu or the University of Missouri – St. Louis (which sponsors the Sue Shear Institute) by phone at (314) 516-4727. Further information also can be found at www.umsl.edu/sueshear/.