MISSOULA – Are you a female Montana undergraduate student inspired to take a leadership role in your community? The University of Montana is now accepting applications for a six-day summer program designed to educate, empower and encourage college women to become politically active and assume greater leadership roles.

NEW Leadership is a national bipartisan program developed by Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics. The program educates college women about politics and leadership, providing them with tools to become effective leaders.

Montana NEW Leadership is six-day residential program that will take place June 4-9 at UM. The program is open to 20 women who will be a sophomore, junior or senior during fall semester 2017. During the institute, students will meet statewide political, business and nongovernmental leaders; learn about women in American politics; and develop and practice leadership skills through panel discussions, workshops and hands-on projects.

“We are proud to have been chosen as the sole statewide host for this program and to bring this exciting opportunity to Montana women,” said Sara Rinfret, Montana NEW Leadership academic director and UM assistant professor of political science. “Students will come away from the program with practical new leadership skills as well as expanded networks and friendships from across the state.”

“This program is designed to celebrate the diversity of our state,” said Deena Mansour, associate director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at UM and Montana NEW Leadership administrative director. “We are specifically recruiting women of different backgrounds, ideologies, tribal nations, ages and geographic regions.”

Montana legislators Kimberly Dudik of Missoula and Geraldine Custer of Forsyth also will help manage the program.

The program is offered at no cost to participants. Major costs are funded by private individuals and foundations and participants are asked to seek the support of a faculty adviser to identify a campus scholarship to cover the remaining costs. A special scholarship from the Mansfield Center is available for applicants from tribal colleges.

Applications and more information are available HERE, by calling Rinfret at 406-243-2461 or emailing sara.rinfret@umontana.edu. Applications are due Monday, March 6.          

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