FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        April 18, 2008

NORTHWESTERN STUDENT SELECTED FOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

            The program is designed especially for college women in Oklahoma and seeks to address the historic under-representation of women in politics, public service and other leadership roles. Its mission is to inspire and empower women to consider careers in politics, public life and community service. The program connects students to policy makers and community activists to engage them in shaping the public agenda.

            Each year, about 30 undergraduate women are selected through a competitive process to participate in the institute. College women attending school in Oklahoma or Oklahoma residents attending school out of state are eligible to apply.

            Students are chosen on a basis of numerous factors, including individual leadership potential, maturity, ability to deal with challenges and capacity to reflect on one’s own personal strengths and weaknesses, special interests, unique characteristics or diverse experiences that contribute to the NEW Leadership learning goals.

            The intensive five-day institute includes skill-building workshops, a campaign simulation, networking day at the Oklahoma State Capitol, action project and panel discussions. Participants are brought together with Oklahoma’s top women politicians and other leaders.

Affiliated with the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, the Oklahoma program was launched in 2001 at the Carl Albert Center. To date, 195 women have “graduated” from the NEW Leadership Program.

-NW-

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