I-LEAD program, Schimek win awards from Minnesota College Personnel Association

10/13/2009

The Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development (I-LEAD) Fellowship Program at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, and Saint John’s University, Collegeville, will be honored with the Innovations in Student Development Award from the Minnesota College Personnel Association (MCPA).

The award will be presented at the MPCA’s Fall Conference, “Looking Back, Moving  Forward,” Oct. 15 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

The “best-practices” award is designed to facilitate the sharing of new ideas and show appreciation for the works of colleagues in the MCPA, which has approximately 250 members. The award, which is selected by a committee, must be “an implemented strategy or campus program that is timely to the profession or provides a new or creative approach to a student development or campus issue,” and “have an impact on the presenter’s campus.” 

I-LEAD began in the fall of 2005 at CSB and SJU. The program engages and supports historically underrepresented, high achieving first generation college students who have demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to intercultural awareness.

It was part of a strategy to increase enrollment and increase the ethnic diversity of the student body.

I-LEAD Scholars are selected for their academic ability, moral character and intellectual curiosity. Through a network of faculty, staff and peer students, the I-LEAD Scholars are mentored, supported and encouraged to become role models and leaders within the campus and greater communities.

There are currently 75 I-LEAD Scholars on the campuses, with that number expected to rise to 77 during spring semester 2010.

It is the second time CSB and SJU have won this award. In 2003, the Health and Wellness Committee was recognized with the honor.

Gwen Schimek, assistant director of Student Activities and Leadership Development at CSB and SJU, will also be honored at the conference with the New Professional of the Year award. The award recognizes “an ambitious and dedicated new student development professional.” For this award, a new professional is defined as having 1-3 years in the field and a minimum of one year on a college campus.

CSB director of residential life Kelly Crue previously won the award in 2004.