Somerset Resident Karissa Kozlak to Lead Seminars During Team Leadership Challenge at Rider University

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ (04/06/2011)(readMedia)-- For the second year in a row, Rider University's Center for the Development of Leadership Skills has teamed up with Recreational Programs and the Organizational Leadership program to present the Team Leadership Challenge 2011: "Navigating Your Path to Success." This year, Karissa Kozlak of Somerset, N.J., a student in the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program, will conduct the event's mini-leadership sessions as part of the program's capstone requirement.

In addition to the mini-leadership sessions, the day-long event, which will begin at noon on Sunday, April 10 in the Student Recreation Center, will feature leadership speaker Dr. Jonathan Millen. Later, participating students will have a chance to put their leadership and team building skills to the test when they construct cardboard boats and race across the Richard A. Coppola Pool.

"Whether you are new to the Team Leadership Challenge or a returning boat builder, we encourage you to join us and enhance your team leadership skills," Kozlak said. "This year, we are also encouraging graduate students to attend the training session, where they will learn about leadership styles, interpersonal skills, teamwork, goal setting, time management, life management and conflict resolution."

Students interested in the canoe building/racing portion of the event will be divided into teams of five and will be given cardboard, plastic bags and tape to build their boats, which they will construct on the basketball courts before relocating to the pool in the Maurer Center for the race.

As part of her capstone assignment for LEAD 598: Project Seminar in Organizational Leadership, Kozlak is helping to organize the event with Laura Seplaki, associate director of the CDLS and director of the Leadership Development Program, and Dianna Clauss, assistant director of Campus Life for Recreation Programs.

Since 2004, the Center for the Development of Leadership Skills has served as the leadership training and education resource for the entire University and its surrounding community. The Center, has hosted a number of programs designed for women in transition, aspiring executive leaders, student performers in the arts and athletics, as well as lecture series, leadership trips and career workshops. The Leadership Development Program, a four-year program designed for undergraduate students, is also housed in CDLS.