Whatever the career field, one highly sought trait is proven leadership abilities.

A new leadership development program at EKU is designed to enhance students' classroom education by preparing them for prominent roles in their career fields and communities. The Emerging Leaders Institute is based on Arthur Chickering's Seven Vectors of Student Development, which include developing competence, managing emotions, developing autonomy, establishing identity, freeing interpersonal relationships, developing purpose and developing integrity.

"This is part of an effort to provide the most holistic collegiate experience possible for EKU students," said Brandee Petrey, director of special programs, research and development with the Office of Student Affairs. "Many students come to us their last semester and want to get involved in everything. We would like to see them start sooner to build their leadership skills."

The Institute houses various leadership development opportunities. One is the Aspiring Leaders Lunch Series that began Oct. 10 and continues through Nov. 6. The brown bag event is open to all students. Presentations already have been made on Communication and Presentation Skills and Ethics and Moral Reasoning. Remaining events, all at noon in the Jaggers Room of the Powell Building, include:

* "Releasing Creative Potential in Leaders," Dr. Muriel Stockburger, assistant professor of counseling, Oct. 25.

* "Super Student Syndrome," Michalle Rice, EKU Counseling Center, Oct. 29.

* "Discover Your True Colors," Brandee Petrey, EKU Student Affairs, Nov. 6.

Students must attend at least four of the presentations to earn an Aspiring Leaders Certificate; some of the sessions will be repeated at a later date.

Also, nationally known author and motivational speaker Paul Loeb will discuss student engagement Thursday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. in the Kennamer Room of the Powell Building. Loeb's "Soul of A Citizen" "may well become the handbook for activism at the turn of the century," wrote Amazon.com. Stephanie Salter of the San Francisco Chronicle said the book "should be mandatory reading for anyone over the age of 12 - especially every woman or man who has traded 'I give a damn' for 'I give up.'"

Loeb, also the author of "Generation at the Crossroad: Apathy & Action on the American Campus," has lectured at over 200 colleges and universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale and MIT. He also has served as keynote speaker for numerous conferences, including the National Education Association, American College Personnel Association and Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education.

Loeb's lecture at EKU is open to all students, faculty and staff. A book signing will follow his talk.

Another Institute-sponsored leadership program is Project Achieve, an ongoing leadership/scholarship initiative where students are given the opportunity to make a positive impact on campus while earning a reward for their leadership abilities. The first Project Achieve group has worked toward improving campus facilities. The Office of Student Affairs is recruiting 10-20 students to comprise a new Project Achieve group, whose goal will be to develop a leadership camp for incoming freshmen in the summer of 2002.

Any student interested in Project Achieve should contact Petrey (Beckham Hall Room 100, telephone 622-2077). The program is open to on- and off-campus students.