The Hauptmann School for Public Affairs, Park University, is pleased to announce the creation of the Center for Leadership. Led by former Mayor Kay Barnes, Kansas City, Missouri, the Center will focus on preparing students and others for leadership in an "unscripted future."

Fundamental to the focus of the Center is the special brand of leadership exemplified by Mayor Barnes, its Founding Director. Mayor Barnes is known locally and nationally as a person whose leadership is characterized by collaboration, partnerships across organizations and sectors, proper use of authority, inclusion, community-building, character, and trust. While the academic community discusses this leadership as "Servant Leadership" and "Principle-Centered Leadership", Park University's Center for Leadership is unique in that it is founded, framed, and led by a national figure known for these qualities.

The Center for Leadership recognizes that all of us are leaders at times, whether in community activities, the family, educational settings, or the work place. In these times of unprecedented global change, it is critical that both Principled-Centered Leadership and human intellectual capital are thoroughly developed in order to shape the future for the well-being of all.

The world is changing rapidly with an increasingly unreliable set of rules by which most people have lived their lives. Paradigms are shifting with no clarity about what the future holds. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that "today's learner will have 10-14 different jobs by the age of 38." According to current research, it is projected that the top 10 jobs in demand in the U.S. by 2010 did not exist in 2004. In addition, the amount of new technical information is doubling every two years and is on track to double every 72 hours by 2010. These are only a few examples of the enormous changes occurring in our country and the world.

How does an individual prepare to lead and shape the future
in such a dynamic environment?

To prepare for leadership in an "unscripted future," the Center will offer certificate programs, seminars, and individual coaching focused on several leadership components. These include self-awareness, leadership competencies, decision-making, implementation, and service. Additional components of the Center for Leadership will include a mentoring program with Leadership Associates providing support to students and others focusing on individual coaching. Periodic regional and national conferences on various aspects of leadership will also be offered by the Center. A resource library is being developed as well as plans for research and publishing opportunities.

The Center for Leadership expresses the vision of Park University, which is to be "a renowned international leader in providing innovative educational opportunities for students within the global society" and the vision of the Hauptmann School, "to serve the common good by graduating leaders who exercise authority responsibly, make ethical decisions, act with moral courage, and advance human dignity world-wide."