June 21, 2021

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact the Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development Program by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

NJ 4-H to Offer Online Leadership Development Courses

Registration is open for four courses that will be offered starting in July for the Igniting Your Leadership Potential - Certificate in Leadership Development. This is a series of online leadership courses offered by the New Jersey 4‑H Program and taught by faculty members of the Department of 4‑H Youth Development at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Youth in grades 8–13 can register for a variety courses that will provide opportunities to learn about leadership, gain knowledge, sharpen their skills, and prepare to lead.

Youth will earn a digital badge for each course completed and a Certificate in Leadership Development for completing four online courses. The courses meet 1.5 hours per week for four weeks. Youth will log-in once a week for interactive face-to-face instruction and then complete some assignments asynchronously. Youth can register for one or more of the courses. Registration is open for the courses to be offered in Summer 2021 including:

  • Pillars of Leadership - Having a firm foundation on which to build your leadership skills is vital to supporting one's leadership aspirations. This starts with understanding yourself and others, examining your personal values and beliefs, and determining your own approach to leadership. Earn a badge in Foundations of Leadership upon completion. This course is scheduled for Thursdays (July 15, 22, 29 and August 5) from 3:00–4:30 pm. Registration due by July 8.
  • Growing Your Global Awareness - The world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever, and today's youth have ample opportunity to increase their knowledge and awareness of the world as a result. In this course, youth will examine the characteristics that define a global citizen, better understand global citizenship as a concept, reflect on their personal pathway and responsibilities as global citizens, and reflect on their participation in the world. Earn a badge in Global Citizenship upon completion. This course is scheduled for every Tuesday in August (August 10, 17, 24, and 31) from 3:00–4:30 pm. Register by August 2.
  • Deepening Group and Team Dynamics - No leader can lead without a group or team standing alongside of them, therefore a solid understanding of group and team dynamics is crucial to one's leadership development. In this course, youth will explore the characteristics of groups and teams, recognize basic team processes, including group roles, group cohesion, and motivation, and examine some of the issues that teams can encounter from problem solving and decision making to power and influence and managing conflict. Earn a badge in Group and Team Dynamics upon completion. This course will be held every Thursday in August (August 12, 19, 26 and Sept. 2) from 3:00–4:30 pm. Registration due by August 2.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension, 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law.

For more information about the Igniting Your Leadership Potential - Certificate in Leadership Development program or course registration visit: nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/igniting-your-leadership-potential

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.

Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station