Applications now available for USI's 2015 Connect with Southern Indiana program

Connect with Southern Indiana, a regional leadership program managed by USI's  Historic Southern Indiana, is accepting applications for its 2015 class. An annual program, 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 projects and meet business and civic leaders while developing creative problem solving skills.

Connect with Southern Indiana contains a social entrepreneurship model in which participants seek innovative solutions to a variety of problems or needs. Participants will bridge the gap between entrepreneurial thought and practice by focusing on activities that must be carried out by a variety of businesses and organizations. The program is designed to actively immerse participants in the strategic entrepreneurial process with the objectives to reinforce and develop divergent thinking, analytical thinking and communication skills. The primary goal is the development and communication of an organizational model in an atmosphere that is based on team collaboration and coaching.

"One of the things that sets the Connect program apart is its focus on the region as opposed to one county or community," said Leslie Townsend, director of Historic Southern Indiana. "Participants get a chance to not only learn about the nine counties, but to visit each one and selected attractions. In addition, the techniques used by the USI faculty to present the material makes for a very interactive and high energy approach to problem solving."

Participants will attend ten full-day sessions between January and May. Members of the class will develop a collaborative project, which they will present at the end of the program. USI faculty and staff and community leaders will facilitate all programs. 

Open to USI students and Indiana residents living in Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh or Warrick counties, up to twenty-four individuals will be selected for the program.

Applicants should have an interest in improving the quality of life in their community and/or region, a desire to develop leadership skills, and to become actively involved in their area. One year's residency in the region prior to January 2015 is required.

Additional information and an application for the 2015 Connect with Southern Indiana class can be found at USI.edu/connect. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 19.

Testimonials from past participants:

"Connect with Southern Indiana was a fantastic experience.  The entrepreneurial program was a refreshing way to gain new tools and resources for work -- and for critical thinking in general.  I enjoyed getting to know my classmates and learning about the many cultural treasures available in our region.  I am fortunate to have been able to participate in this great program."

Ann Tornatta
Marketing and Communications Manager

Deaconess Health System

"The Connect with Southern Indiana program was a great experience. It gave me an opportunity to work with many talented individuals on real problems facing our communities.  I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who's looking for the chance to think creatively about topics outside their day-to-day professional routine."

Jason Hoffman
Application Development Manager
Kimball Office