HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Rural-Urban Leadership (RULE) program, a two-year leadership development initiative, is seeking applicants interested in becoming members of the program’s 14th class, according to State Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming).
RULE’s purpose is to encourage and foster the development of community leaders from all segments of Pennsylvania. The program of study is bolstered by its partnership with Penn State connecting RULE with cutting edge leadership research. Each of the five annual study institutes include opportunities to explore rural-urban issues and learn how to participate in public decision-making more effectively, through a greater understanding of the contextual framework where decisions are made.
The program focuses on developing proficiencies in four target areas: communication skills, group process, personal leadership and specific community issues. During the first year, the emphasis is on local, regional and state public policy issues. The second year focuses on national and international issues. Participants take an active role in the learning process and in program development. New skills are directly applicable to current public policy issues and personal growth.
The program’s selection criteria are designed to include participants from diverse backgrounds with different interests and goals, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community involvement and solving public issues.
The RULE program is collaboratively funded by individual participants, sponsoring organizations, private and public contributions, and Penn State. RULE fellows are admitted without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation or veteran status. RULE is in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology.
For applications or information, call (814) 863-4679. More information also is available at the program’s Web site at www.rule.psu.edu. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2011.
Contact: Arnie Kriner
(570) 322-6457