The Jenks Leadership Program (JLP) has been relaunched as a part of the Winston Center for Ethics and Leadership within the Carroll School of Management. The program, which in previous years was largely student-run, went on a hiatus in 2003 due to organizational detriments. According to the Winston Center Web site, the goal of the program is to prepare students for service-based leadership roles.
The initial revival of the JLP began about a year and a half ago with the collaboration of Richard Keeley, CSOM associate dean for undergraduate programs, Tom McGuinness, director of university counseling in the College of Arts & Sciences, and Ian Rogan, former assistant director of the Winston Center for Ethics and Leadership. Jonah Berman, the new assistant director of the Winston Center, and BC alum Joe Benito are now also actively involved with the leadership of the JLP.
The program is broken up into three modules over three semesters, beginning this spring. The first module focuses on skills in individual leadership and the second module teaches students how to effectively lead in a group setting. During the third module of spring 2009, students will carry out service projects.
The renewed JLP kicked off its first spring module on Jan. 11 with a retreat at the Whispering Pines Retreat Center in Rhode Island. A group of 20 students, ranging from freshmen to juniors, participated in a series of activities including lectures, readings, and discussions exploring what they hoped to get out of the program.
Students such as Kathryn Alex O'Brien, A&S '11, have responded positively to the program. "After the weekend of our retreat, I was officially excited that I was a part of the Jenks Program. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of a group that teaches its members the importance of servant [sic] leadership," O'Brien told Berman. Berman was also enthusiastic about the outcome of the retreat. "I think that all of the students came back feeling excited about what they can accomplish over the next three semesters," Berman said.
The JLP relaunch was initiated when Keeley, who has worked at BC since 1975, largely in the PULSE program, joined the newly created Winston Center. Keeley said that prior to his current involvement in the program, he had followed its success and believed it had been an important formative experience for graduates of the program who now work as full-time consultants and directors of major organizations. Keeley, citing past successes, said that he felt it was important to revive the program.
While most of the participants in this JLP group are from CSOM, the JLP is hoping to diversify membership of the program in the future. "I think that the core value of the program is service to others," Berman said. "Having a diverse group of students is the best way to reach that goal."
The JLP named after Weston "Sandy" Jenks, BC '47, founder and former director of the Office of Counseling Services, is modeled after the ideals he strived to uphold.
"The key aspect of the relaunch is honoring Sandy Jenks, and we have a great group of students to carry on the legacy," Berman said.
Program member Jon Schwartz, A&S '11, was enthusiastic about the merits of the program.
"It's great to be able to develop our own leadership skills alongside other students to eventually construct a service project and give back to the community," Schwartz said. "So often we learn without being able to see any of our results, but with this, we can actually see the difference we make."
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