Women's Leadership Institute Honors Janet Osborne

The Women’s Leadership Institute at Utah State University was organized in the fall of 2001 by Janet Osborne, director of USU’s Women’s Center for Lifelong Learning. The institute recently paid tribute to Osborne for her contributions to the institute, the university and beyond.

Osborne has announced her retirement after 27 years of service at USU.

 

The institute was first offered as a course to undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors and graduate women. The purpose of the Women’s Leadership Institute is to increase understanding of women’s diverse roles and contributions to society, according to Carol Rosenthal, assistant director of USU’s Academic Resource Center and an instructor during the institute’s inaugural year and every year since. Instructors during the first year were drawn from a number of USU programs and areas and included Osborne; Heidi Jo Beck, assistant registrar; Noelle Call, director, Academic Resource Center; Mary Doty, director, Counseling Center; Jan Lyons, senior lecturer, College of Business, and Rosenthal. Joining Rosenthal during the five-year history are Doty, Call and, of course, Osborne.

 

Beginning this semester, the Women’s Leadership Institute has become a formal course within Women and Gender Studies. It can now be used toward the WGS minor or in the area studies certificate.

 

“The Women’s Leadership Institute also encourages participants to gain a stronger sense of self and to discover ways in which women can lead,” Rosenthal said. “It facilitates experiences which empower women as leaders during and beyond their university experience.”

 

The institute also provides role models and mentors for its participants.

 

A number of topics have been covered during the past five years, including current issues in research, style of leadership, activism, finding voice, effective use of technology, professionalism, conflict management and negotiation, and much more.

 

Over its five-year history, the course has incorporated group and individual projects that provided students many opportunities to develop leadership skills. Noteworthy projects included the planning and implementation of a half-day workshop in which approximately 50 local Girl Scouts participated, earning their “Leadership” badges. The institute also organized and implemented a variety of events in 2004 to celebrate Women’s History Month, including a visit by then Utah Lt. Gov. Olene Walker as a keynote speaker. Women in Art exhibits and performances were also organized.

 

 “Janet Osborne has contributed substantially to a healthy campus environment for women and men,” Rosenthal said. “Her work with the Women’s Leadership Institute is one example of her vision, drive and commitment. She will be greatly missed at the university.”