Seminar aims to push educational boundaries of Army soldiers


LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Business has been selected as one of only four civilian universities in the nation to deliver a “strategic broadening seminar” for U.S. Army officers, warrant officers, senior noncommissioned officers and civilians. 

Partnering with the Office of Graduate Military Programs, the Center for Business, Industry and National Security at the School of Business will present the Mount Oread Leadership Series, a three-week curriculum composed of intensive and demanding graduate-level lectures designed to prepare leaders to confront the national security challenges of the 21st century. A unique attribute of this series is that Army leaders will learn alongside their counterparts from business and industry, thus substantially broadening the dialogue.

“We are delighted to provide our Army’s leaders a truly unique developmental experience,” says Tom Jindra, the director of the Center for Business, Industry and National Security. “Our Army’s ability to thrive in a world of ever-changing complexity depends on agile and adaptive leaders.”

The first cohort of the Mount Oread Leadership Series begins June 1, and those attending will participate in discussions facilitated by leading KU researchers in the fields of leadership and leading change, personal leader identity and attributes, and strategic issues in the international security environment (Russia and Eurasia). The second Mount Oread series cohort begins on July 27 and graduates Aug. 14. 

The seminars are an initiative of the U.S. Army’s Chief of Staff, Gen. Ray Odierno, to provide leaders with broadening and divergent experiences at the top academic institutions in the nation. Besides the civilian universities, KU was selected alongside the Defense Academy of the United Kingdom; the University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies, Fort Leavenworth; the Executive Counter-Terrorism Studies Interdisciplinary Center, Israel; and the Institute of World Politics, Washington, D.C.

“We, along with our business and industry partners, are creating a learning environment that provides a powerful broadening opportunity for future leaders,” Jindra said. “The cohort of both military and business leaders promises to create the type of innovative sharing environment that opens the leadership aperture for all involved.  It is a truly exciting opportunity.”

Mon, 03/09/2015

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Bill Steele

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Bill Steele

Graduate Military Programs

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