Heartland Visioning is a community-wide initiative to develop and implement a shared, strategic vision for what the community wants to be in 5, 10 or 20 years. The community is defined as Shawnee County, which includes Auburn, Rossville, Topeka, Silver Lake, Willard and unincorporated Shawnee County. Students have taken leadership roles in the Heartland Visioning initiative on individual and team levels. More information about Heartland Visioning can be found at www.heartlandvisioning.com
Team Leadership
Fall 2009
As part of a group change project for LE 300 in Fall 2009, a team of students worked on a project that was aligned with the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan, and specifically addressed the strategic priorities of the Entertainment Strategic Alliance. Specifically, the team identified and developed sustainable entertainment for Topeka citizens between ages 16-20 that this age demographic, as well as the larger community, will support. Student Team Members: Caley Onek, Michelle Neis, and Jena McCall.
Fall 2008
As part of their LE 300 change project in the Spring 2009 semester, a team of students established a project with the following mission: "To encourage the community to actively assimilate and encourage college age people in the 'Knowledge Corridor' to establish an emotional connection with the community." The project had two primary results: 1) a "WU and You" insert in the Topeka Capitol Journal highlighting the contributions Washburn University and its students bring to the community, and 2) expansion of the iSave program, which provides students with discounted goods and services to local businesses. Both project outcomes included sustainability plans so the results would continue in the future. Student Team Members: Angel Romero, Jake Thomas, Kylie Gilstrap and Erica Nuss.
Individual Leadership
Spring 2012
As part of an internship for LE 400, Darrin Simmons planned and implemented a Leadership Lab opportunity focused on civic partnerships for Leadership Institute students. This Leadership Lab included a learning tour of NOTO Arts District, a civic partnerships case study experience with 8 top community leaders and a networking mocktail hour with members of Topeka Fast Forward.
Spring 2009
As part of an internship for LE 400 in the Spring of 2009, Danielle Van Laeys established a goal to use social media to more effectively connect high school and college students with the Heartland Visioning initiative. The results of the internship increased student participation on Heartland Visioning committees, kept the project fresh in the minds of Shawnee County students and paved the way for future interaction and involvement.