Purpose:

The ASCLS Leadership Academy is designed to prepare ASCLS members for current and future leadership roles in the organization by providing a structured program of study of critical leadership topics.

Goals:

1. Identify members with potential to become leaders in ASCLS and invest in their growth and development.
2. Provide these high-potential leaders with skills required to step into leadership positions within ASCLS.
3. Energize and grow ASCLS through strong leadership at all levels of the organization.
4. Increase the future leaders' knowledge of ASCLS.

Benefits to the Participant:

1. Develop skills that can be transferred to the work setting and life in general.
2. Provide opportunities to learn from and dialogue with ASCLS leaders.
3. Provide opportunities to be mentored by ASCLS leaders.
4. Acquire the confidence and self-esteem to step into leadership roles.

Benefits to ASCLS:

1. Strong leaders make strong organizations.
2. Shape the future of the organization and the profession at large.
3. Increase passion for ASCLS locally, regionally, and nationally.
4. Develop and grow members who can work on important identified initiatives for ASCLS.
5. A successful program will be an attractive member benefit and increase membership in ASCLS.

ASCLS Leadership Academy
2007-2008 Curriculum/Schedule

July, 2007: ASCLS Annual Meeting: San Diego

Early September: Conference Call: Organization Skills

Mid-October: Conference Call: Time Management

Early December: Conference Call: Public Speaking/Presentation skills

Early January: Conference Call: Mentoring/Coaching

Mid- February: Conference Call: Networking

March 15-18, 2008: Legislative Symposium, Washington, DC

Mid-May: Conference Call: Writing Skills

July, 2008: ASCLS Annual Meeting: Washington, DC

Our projects (Coming Soon!)

Class of 2008:

Ever since my first state meeting, I have always said, "becoming an ASCLS member has been one of the best decisions I have made to date." I love being part of the ASCLS community; the staff, members, and students here have become a second family to me. By becoming part of the ASCLS Leadership Academy and learning the skills I need to become a successful leader in the society; gives me the chance to give back to ASCLS, all it has given me. The ASCLS Leadership Academy will open a world of opportunities: teaching me the skills I need to be a successful leader in the profession, give me opportunities to build my leadership skills, and have fun in the process. True, it may mean an hour less of personal time or sleep, but it is well worth the time giving back to the society. I've had a great leadership start thus far as a student and first year professional, however there is room for improvement. Within the next few years I hope to become our state society President, remain active in the region and work on many national committees, and return to the Board of Directors. Although I am passionate about my ASCLS future, I have only been a member for 3 years and lack the experience of many of our seasoned ASCLS leaders. The ASCLS Leadership Academy is the perfect opportunity to learn from the best in the society how I can make a difference in my future leadership positions.

I am participating in the ASCLS Leadership Academy to strengthen my leadership skills so that I might better perform in my current position as well as become a stronger member of ASCLS. This organization has provided me the opportunity to network with colleagues across the country who share the same passion, goals, and challenges that I do. ASCLS is my source for what is happening in our profession, from Competitive Bidding to State Licensure efforts. I will use the knowledge gained from this experience to become a stronger voice for ASCLS. I hope to gain the skills I need to influence others to join the society and become active. Last year, I was asked to run for ASCLS-IL State President. I declined the nomination because I felt I lacked the experience and confidence to fill such an important role. I know that the Leadership Academy will give me the knowledge to confidently run for that office in the future. This experience will also teach me more about ASCLS and additional roles I might fill in the future. I also plan to take the skills I learn and apply them in my work. Currently, I am the Laboratory/Radiology Coordinator at a busy oncology practice where I oversee the laboratory, X-Ray, and PET/CT departments. As our practice and my departments continue to grow, I will have the knowledge I need to adapt to the changes the future will bring.

Simply put, the reason I applied for the Leadership Academy was so I could take a more active role in shaping the events that will affect my career. There are a number of issues, both here in Texas and around the nation, that will determine the paths of thousands of lab scientists. Rather than sit on the sidelines and let others take the lead, I made the decision that I would take an active part in determining the outcomes of these issues. Learning and applying the skills taught in the Leadership Academy is the first step to realizing that goal. I hope to take the lessons from the Academy and apply them immediately in my work with TACLS (Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science) and also my own laboratory's implementation of a Professional Development Program. In the near future, I also plan to get more involved with our state licensure efforts. Who knows, if the stars are in alignment, I may even shoot for an ASCLS position farther down the road!

As President-Elect, I am eager to learn more and grow in ASCLS. I have preached to my students for the last 6 years about getting involved, so I decided it has to start with me. I believe the Leadership Academy will help me grow into a better leader, not only for my state society, but also on local and national levels. I would also like to have the opportunity to be mentored by leaders from all levels in ASCLS. I know the knowledge and guidance they can give will prove to be very valuable assets. Leadership Academy will be an excellent opportunity for me to gain knowledge of all levels and areas of leadership in ASCLS.

I applied for the Leadership Academy because I felt that it would be a terrific way to become more involved in the ASCLS at the national level, while at the same time providing myself with a unique education and some necessary leadership skills. One of my goals within the next couple of years is to be able to lead my state constituent as president. My society has "recycled" presidents for years now. I believe I would bring new perspective and energy to our Board. I also hope that my new found experiences and knowledge would give me the courage to participate in more ASCLS activities at the regional and national levels. My involvement with the ASCLS will continue to grow because of my involvement with the Leadership Academy. Outside of the ASCLS, this Academy will help me in my professional growth and development within the workplace. I hope to one day be a CLS/MT or CLT/MLT program director. I know that I currently do not possess the skills or the mentality necessary to accomplish this goal. With more education, and through participation in this Academy, I am sure that I will have the background necessary to occupy such a position. Lastly, no matter what happens in my career, participation in the Leadership Academy will help to make me a better leader and a better person. I will be able to take the knowledge and skills I have learned and apply them in all aspects of my life. I, as well as those around me, can only grow and develop from my participation in the Academy.

I want to develop skills that will allow me to grow within ASCLS and become a stronger leader. I would like to become the President of ASCLS-SD someday and the curriculum of the Leadership Academy would help me become a good and effective leader. Last year when I was asked by the state nominating committee chair if I would consider running for Second Vice President, I read the job description of the position. I found that this position could lead to the office of the President of the state society. Even though I don't feel ready for that yet, I did agree to the nomination, and was elected to the position. As I sit in board meetings or attend state meetings and observe the current President, I wonder if I have what it takes to be effective in that office. I know I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to do and I am ready to take the challenge. I decided I would use the years as Second Vice President and First Vice President (if elected) to become prepared. The curriculum of the Leadership Academy would be an excellent tool in preparing for more roles in ASCLS. The timing is perfect. I would have the year to complete the course and a year or two to put into practice what I learn.

First and foremost, it would be an honor to be chosen as one of the ten Clinical Laboratory Scientist to attend the first ASCLS Leadership Academy. The Academy would allow for the continuation of my professional education and career, as well as, quench my insatiable "love of learning". I was first introduced to ASCLS, formally ASMT as an MLT enrolled at the University of Iowa to complete my B.S. in Medical Technology. The program director, Marian Scwabbauer, was very active locally, regionally and nationally in ASMT. Her passion for the profession and dedication to it's future took me to my first National Meeting in Miami and the National Student Forum President position. Some 30 years later, I am still as passionate about the profession as ever, embracing the President - Elect office for ACSLS-CO and Social Committee co-chair for the Annual Clinical Collaborative Conference held by ASCLS-WY, ASCLS-CO, Centennial Chapter of CLMA and CACMLE. I have also been a member of the CACMLE Board of Directors for 6+ years, helping and hoping to insure the future of our profession through continuing education. My newest endeavor is as a UFCW Local 7 Union Steward for the Kaiser Permanente Professional division, affording me opportunities to ensure salary and benefits remain equitable among my professional and the other allied health professions. The Academy would be an excellent opportunity to network with fellow future ASCLS leaders and prepare me to hold office regionally and hopefully, nationally, allowing me to continue my commitment and ensure my passion for the profession and my career in a constructive and meaningful manner.

When I interviewed for the University of Tennessee Medical Technology School in the Spring of 2002, I had been out of college for almost a year. While seeking my Bachelor's degree in Microbiology at Mississippi University for Women, I was very involved on campus. I was in numerous organizations ranging from Student Government to Social Organizations to Academic Honorary Organizations, and I held offices in them all. I was determined to focus on my education and not to be involved in anything extracurricular at UT, but ASCLS drew me in. After my introduction to ASCLS at the beginning of MT school, I noticed things that attracted me to the organization. Throughout the state of Tennessee and on the local Memphis level, the members of ASCLS seemed to have relationships with each other that will last a lifetime, not just a sense of community, but of family. After becoming as involved as a full-time student could, I felt that ASCLS was not just something amazing that I had the opportunity to participate in, but it was something that I had an OBLIGATION to be a part of for the survival and success of my new profession. I have a great desire to be an integral part of the continued survival and success of ASCLS. Since MT school I have continued to be active at the local, state, and national levels of ASCLS. I know that learning how to be the kind of leader that our organization needs is very important, and I sincerely hope that I can be a part of the inaugural class of the ASCLS Leadership Academy.

I am currently the Program Director of the Clinical Laboratory Science program at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. Even though I have been in the profession for 20 years, I did not join ASCLS until 2002. Now I am active at the state level, and currently I am the President-Elect for the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science - Georgia. I applied to the ASCLS Leadership Academy in order to develop the leadership skills that I will need to be a successful state president. During my tenure as president, I want to increase enrollment, increase the visibility of our profession in the state, and increase the organization's political involvement so ASCLS professionals can have a voice in the creation of regulatory policies and bills governing our profession. In addition, I want to create a mentoring program for the development of future leaders within the profession. I also want to become more involved in ASCLS at the national level. I would like to serve on committees that will advance our profession and grow members. I would like to help in the planning of national meetings, and eventually run for office at the regional and national level. I believe that the Leadership Academy will give me the experience and knowledge necessary to realize these goals. The skills that I will learn during my time in the Academy will form the foundation that will help me develop into an effective leader. In turn, I will be able to help my state society grow in membership and in visibility which will ultimately help ASCLS become a stronger organization.

I am interested in participating in the Leadership Academy because I want to expand my knowledge of ASCLS and gain the tools necessary to be an effective leader in the organization. We are at a crucial point in the life cycle of the society, with the current leadership preparing for retirement and the pool of new talent slowly dwindling. I truly love my job and the profession, and am willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the society continues to promote the vision its creators had 75 years ago. Many of the states in our organization are beginning the process of 'recycling' officers, if they haven't already. This is a sure sign that leadership in those particular states needs to be developed. Some states are struggling to keep their societies afloat, often having just two or three dedicated members running the entire show. Being a part of the Leadership Academy would provide me with the tools and skills to help develop leaders in my own state, or other states that need assistance. It will also be a wonderful networking opportunity, with useful information being disseminated from one state to another. Finally, I would like to participate in the Leadership Academy to help answer some of my own questions about ASCLS, such as how to efficiently conduct a meeting, be more assertive, and learn to express my ideas and concerns in a more professional manner. I believe all these skills are essential to becoming an effective leader, and I would enjoy the opportunity to develop them.

Leadership Academy Task Force

Leadership Academy Faculty/Facilitators

2008 Application (Coming Soon!)

ASCLS Leadership Academy Application Guidelines:

Admission to the ASCLS Leadership Academy will be through a competitive application process. Application forms and additional information will be posted on this website in early 2008 and complete applications will be accepted after time.

Candidates must agree to a commitment of personal time and effort over 12 months in addition to a financial commitment for travel expenses to attend Leadership Academy activities in conjunction with the 2008 ASCLS Annual Meeting, the Legislative Symposium and the 2009 ASCLS Annual Meeting. It is expected that Leadership Academy participants will also attend each of these meetings in their entirety. We hope to identify funds to supplement other fees and materials costs as well as to defray travel costs, if possible. Candidates selected will be required to certify their intention to commit to attendance at all Leadership Academy activities, the 2008 ASCLS Annual Meeting, the 2009 Legislative Symposium, the 2009 ASCLS Annual Meeting and regular conference calls, in addition to the time necessary for successful completion of the program and projects associated with the Academy.

Eligible Candidates:

Candidates must be CURRENT ASCLS PF1, PF2, or FYP members. Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by any current ASCLS member.

Application Instructions

The application for the ASCLS Leadership Academy includes completion of an application form, signature of a statement of commitment to the Leadership Academy, and responses to five essay questions. A letter of recommendation and a completed recommendation form from TWO individuals are also required.

In order for your application to be considered, ASCLS must receive all completed materials by the deadline stated on the application form. Electronic submission of all required documents by email is required. Incomplete applications or applications received after this date will not be considered.

Applications will be considered complete once ASCLS has received a signed application form, responses to essay questions, and two (2) completed recommendation forms and letters of recommendation. Recommendation forms will be posted on this website