WHERE DIFFERENT CAN LEAD THE WAY

Special Olympics Indiana developing future leaders through Athlete Leadership University

BY DORIE ZIPPERLE, SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA ATHLETE INTERN

Visit SOIndiana.org/athlete-leadership/ to learn more about Special Olympics Indiana’s Athlete Leadership University.

Have you ever felt like a token person in the room, invited because perhaps you were only needed to fill a slot? It used to happen to me frequently. I was often invited because someone had to check the box. Sound familiar?

It seems like many people did not know how to relate to a person with learning differences. They were not aware, and may have been afraid, of how to get me involved.

I discovered a different situation when I joined Special Olympics Indiana. The organization’s mission is about creating a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities.

Social inclusion helps to create a sense of belonging for Special Olympics athletes. It’s a feeling that people outside their own family and professional circles seek them out and value the time spent together. It’s knowing the community is there to support them. It’s having access to meaningful opportunities to interact with others and build relationships. And it’s being viewed as someone with a unique contribution to make. Those with and without intellectual disabilities are true teammates. This allows athletes to take on meaningful roles as leaders in their communities and within Special Olympics Indiana.

Maddison Glenn and Jillian Moss, ALU Graduate Program instructors

Jeff Mohler, President and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana, sees inclusion as just the beginning.

“We need to have athletes as part of the decision-making process,” Mohler said. “After all, it is their organization, not mine. Special Olympics Indiana belongs to our athletes. I’m here only as the temporary caretaker.

“After they are invited into the room, do they feel empowered to fully participate in the discussion? Do our athletes have all the information to make informed, impactful decisions? Do our athletes feel empowered enough to disagree? Our athletes must know that they will be accepted and appreciated, even when they disagree … even when they disagree with me. In the end, I hope our athletes know they belong here.”

ATHLETE LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY Special Olympics Indiana has always been at the cutting edge of social inclusion for its athlete leaders, and Athlete Leadership University has been a foundational part of that strategy since it was started almost 20 years ago. At ALU, athletes learn about Special Olympics, create a personal mission statement and learn skills to become leaders in the organization.

Athletes can choose one of seven different majors: communication, event planning, governance, health and fitness, sports, technology, and leadership through visual arts. Modeled after traditional college, each major consists of a series of courses leading to graduation two to three years later. Class sessions are held over two weekends per year at Butler University in Indianapolis, and afterward, athletes must complete a detailed practicum to complete the course. Some athletes go on to complete more than one major.

Since the beginning, ALU has been growing and changing to offer Special Olympics Indiana athletes more opportunities to take on meaningful roles within our movement and beyond, and the ALU graduate program is the newest of those opportunities.

Elesia Yoon, Dean, Athlete Leadership University

ALU GRADUATE PROGRAM The graduate program includes two-year-long internships and offers courses from Special Olympics Indiana’s advanced leadership series and capstone projects that lead athletes to create a work portfolio and professional development plan. Perhaps most importantly, it provides true opportunities to lead projects within Special Olympics Indiana and the community.

For Mohler, developing the ALU graduate program was a natural step in the progression toward athletes taking over leadership of the Special Olympics movement.

Intern Group Photo (l to r) Karen Kerr, Chelsea Davis, Melony Salla and Dorie Zipperle)

“Imagine our athletes at a game,” he said. “The first step is inclusion, being asked to go to the game. The next step is acceptance, being asked to participate — not just stand on the sidelines. And the final step is empowerment, organizing the next game.

Intern Q&A Session with Introduction to Leadership class

“For Special Olympics Indiana, it follows a similar path. First, our athletes must be at the table during big decisions. Next, they need to be empowered to speak up during those meetings. The final step, take my job! We know as an organization that we have finally arrived when Special Olympics Indiana no longer needs a temporary caretaker. An athlete will take over.”

Everyone interested in the graduate program — including me — had to apply for a position. With all the great competition from other students for the intern positions, as well as the interview process itself, it was a nerve-racking process for me.

chance to make a positive difference in the organization.

All the interns have a mentor from Special Olympics Indiana’s staff to help guide them through their project plan and resources and opportunities. Our intern class has a lot of work to accomplish in the next two years. All four of us agree it is a huge responsibility to be among this first class of interns. We’re blazing the trail for those who will follow. But if successful, it may one day become ordinary to see people with learning differences running Special Olympics Indiana.

“Maybe not next year, maybe not in 10 years, maybe not this generation,” Mohler added. “But someday. Someday.”