Women are 52% of the voting population, yet they are significantly under-represented in our nation's policymaking bodies at every level of elective office. To help remedy this historic imbalance, the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, has developed a model program to inspire, educate and empower the next generation of women leaders. This program, called National Education for Women's Leadership (NEW Leadership), emphasizes possibilities and opportunities for women to take active and powerful roles in public leadership. NEW Leadership challenges women to think critically and creatively about public policy and encourages them to make a commitment to public leadership and public service early in their careers. And as you know, women of color are significantly more under represented in elective offices.

CAWP has been testing and refining NEW leadership since 1991, and in 1999 it was named an "Exemplary Leadership Project" by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. That same year, CAWP established the NEW Leadership Development Network (NLDN), a partnership of institutions of higher education working to develop NEW Leadership programs for college women throughout the nation. CAWP has created successful partnerships with institutions of across the country to help them plan and implement state and regional NEW Leadership programs on their campuses. To date, more than 3500 women from 21 states have participated in NEW Leadership Summer Institutes. Tri-College University is currently one of 18 institutionalized programs nationally.

Tri-College University partners Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College and North Dakota State University cooperate in offering the empowering National Education for Women's Leadership Institute annually.

There is no cost to participate in the institute. Institute sponsors and other donors pay for participants' food, sleeping accommodations, and institute materials for the five-day institute. Those who choose to register for course credits will have to pay the additional course registration expenses.

Applicants who are interested in politics, leadership, public service, or community service, and have a desire to develop their own leadership skills are encouraged to apply.

You DO NOT need to be a college student, political science major, or be involved in formal political roles such as student government to be considered. Even if you do not consider yourself a leader or activist, but want to help your community, you should apply. Each year approximately 40 community and college women are invited to participate.

If you would like to participate please visit the NEW Leadership link for an application. Applications are only accepted during the months of January and February. For more information call or email Deb White, MSUM Associate Professor and Program Director at (218) 477-2041 or whitede@mnstate.edu.

LINK FOR APPLICATION