Connect with Southern Indiana is a University of Southern Indiana program funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment to boost Indiana’s retention of intellectual capital. At the heart of the program is strengthening critical thinking and promoting active citizenship. Participants expand their opportunities for creating new connections: with other residents, with local and regional organizations, between communities, and between USI and the region. These connections are designed to transcend traditional boundaries of towns and counties, occupation, and demography.
Participation in Connect with Southern Indiana provides invaluable, tangible skills, including the opportunity to meet others from the region with similar concerns and interests, identify areas for collaborative problem-solving, meet business and civic leaders, while developing critical thinking skills.The 2009 Connect with Southern Indiana program will include twenty-four residents from Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties. Those selected participate in a total of ten full-day sessions over a six month period and are required to develop a collaborative project that will be presented at the conclusion of the program on June 12, 2009.
Topics for 2009 will include: community overviews; critical thinking; personality profiles; opportunity identification; project management; public skills; presentation planning; government relations. All programs will be facilitated by USI faculty and staff and community leaders.
Program cost: Grant funding from Lilly Endowment covers program expenses, including overnight accommodations, facilitation, meals, location rental fees, and materials. Participants provide their transportation to and from sessions and volunteer time to attend sessions and work on projects. Because the program is free and openings are limited, applicants must indicate their willingness and ability to participate in all sessions and out-of-class assignments.
Sessions will be held: January 8 & 9 (overnight required), January 30, February 13, March 6 & 27, April 17, May 8 & 29, and June 12.
Who should apply? People who are interested in improving the quality of life in their community and their region—those who desire to develop regional leadership skills, those seeking to increase involvement, or those new to the area and are not yet active in the region. A year’s residence in the region prior to January 2009 is required.
Applications are due October 10, 2008. Applicants will be notified of the decision of the selection committee by November 7, 2008. Please complete the application form and mail it to the address noted at the end. If you have questions about the program or the application, contact Charmaine McDowell at USI—812/465-1629 or camcdowell@usi.edu
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