STANDINGTOGETHER PROGRAM: A Curriculum for Future Leaders of Color
Description: StandingTogether is an eight-month leadership and empowerment program for Native American, Latino, and African American high school and junior high school students living in Jackson and Josephine counties. Program Goals: (1) to foster multicultural solidarity; (2) to develop leadership skills; and (3) to obtain the necessary skills to positively impact the students' communities (social responsibility). Throughout the school year, paired university and high school student participants meet bi-monthly in daylong training and skill-building curriculum sessions. Program: Our unique program has a multiplying effect whereby twelve university students (mentors) participate in rigorous three-day training in the StandingTogether curriculum and leadership and mentoring skills. The mentors facilitate the leadership training of 55 high school students, who in turn facilitate leadership retreats with 200 middle school students. Thus high school participants become the facilitators of leadership and empowerment skills to junior high students. The program modules move participants through self-esteem, cultural identification and pride, multicultural appreciation and understanding, and leadership skill development. The program includes a challenge ropes course, overnight retreats, student-run community projects, and a graduation ceremony. This is the second year of the StandingTogether Program. The StandingTogether Program is the only eight-month program in the country serving Native American, African American, and Latino youth. Our program addresses the diversity leadership potential and higher education recruitment and retention needs of higher education. Outcomes: We will measure change on the three above goals through a pre- and post-test as well as a process evaluation.
Learning Objectives: Session Participants will be able to: 1) articulate the importance and need for a multicultural leadership curriculum for young people; 2) create an environment welcoming the implementation of such a curriculum; and 3) assess outcomes
Keywords: Curricula, Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: StandingTogether Program
Office of Multicultural Affairs
Southern Oregon University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.