Middle school students explore future careers through UAA-Clark Distinguished Leadership Academies
Oct. 5, 2017
Dozens of Clark Middle School students have the opportunity to explore leadership concepts, health careers and engineering careers through a set of leadership academies provided by the school’s third year of partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage.
The Distinguished Leadership Academies began in the spring of 2015 with a partnership between Clark Middle School and the UAA College of Business and Public Policy (CBPP). Since its pilot year, the success of the program and the demand for further leadership and career exploration opportunities has led to the development of additional academies and partnerships with UAA’s colleges of Health and Engineering.
“I am excited to work with Clark Middle School Principal Cessilye Williams and my colleagues to kick off the third year of the UAA Distinguished Leadership Academies,” said Dr. Terry Nelson, program coordinator and CBPP professor of leadership. “The program continues to make an impact on today’s youth, and it is a significant opportunity to strengthen connections among UAA colleges, Clark Middle School, the Anchorage business community and the Mountain View community."
This year, the UAA-Clark Distinguished Leadership Academies will include four programs:
- Tom Case Leadership Fellows Junior focuses on students developing leadership skills such as negotiations, ethics, public speaking, leadership qualities, etiquette and tips for a successful college experience.
- Tom Case Leadership Fellows Junior 2.0 offers students who successfully completed the Leadership Fellows Junior program an opportunity to further develop their leadership skills and explore college and career opportunities.
- Junior Health Professions Pre-Medical Academy introduces students to various career paths in the health industry including dentistry, medical assisting, laboratory technical careers, CPR, emergency medicine and radiology.
- Pre-Engineering Academy exposes students to a variety of engineering careers including civil, mechanical, geomatics, electrical and computer science.
UAA will host a brunch welcoming students who have been accepted into the 2017-2018 Distinguished Leadership Academies on Oct. 7, 2017, from 9:30–11 a.m. at the UAA Student Union.