JPII Lead

This fall, AMU is excited to have launched JPII Lead, a new leadership development program for students. This year-long training program is directed towards developing the next generation of Catholic leaders, guided by the example set by Saint John Paul II. John Paul the Great was an extraordinary cultural leader whose enduring efforts to educate young people reflected his belief in the power of youth to shape the world.

The JPII Lead program is geared towards the many student leaders on campus, including resident assistants, household leaders, varsity athletes, student government representatives, as well as elected officers on the student activities and honors boards. At the start of the school year, these students were included in a training session led by University security, those serving in key ministries and on-campus advisors. In addition to the initial training, a group of professors and professionals will work alongside participants throughout the school year to support the focus on strategic goals and initiatives developed during the initial training.

Throughout the program, students will be exposed to the life and legacy of St. John Paul II and his impact on the world through a balanced, faithful approach to leadership. In an effort to cultivate leadership qualities in AMU students, as well as to foster a deeper Christian self-understanding, the program aims to provide answers to these key questions:

• Who am I?

• How do I live in relationship to others?

• How do I influence the culture around me?

• What is my mission in life? What is God calling me to, and for what purpose?

• How can I learn from those who are active in their faith and in the world?

To help answer these questions, the JPII Lead program emphasizes processes and attributes related to self-awareness, trust, conflict resolution, accountability, setting goals, achieving results, actively engaging in culture, influencing others, and effective teamwork.

Beyond the initial training, the JPII Lead program will expand upon student’s understanding of relational leadership, servant leadership, and self-leadership. In addition, JPII Lead seeks to provide student leaders with opportunities to engage in mentoring relationships with supporters who have expressed interest in becoming more involved in positively impacting student’s lives.

Following the inspirational life and words of Saint John Paulthe Great, JPII Lead aims to form Christian leaders who willchange the world around them in their current and future roles.