Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC), Anoka Technical College (ATC) and the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce have partnered to offer an exciting new leadership training program: the Anoka Area Leadership Academy. The six, monthly full-day sessions that begin January 25, 2007 have been specifically developed to enhance human capital and maximize benefits to employers, the community and participants in the ever-changing northern metropolitan region. The $1500 fee includes all materials, assessment and lunches.

The Program will kick off at ARCC in a session called Leadership Capital-The Advantages of Developing Your Potential with speaker Ward Einess, Acting Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The following four sessions include: Community Capital Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going with Tim Cruikshank, Anoka City Manager; Workforce Capital-Diversity and Other Issues of Leading People; Political Capital-Get it to Work for You; and Business Capital-Leadership in the Real World of Work. The final session, at ATC, will culminate with an individual action plan in a session called, Putting It All Together-So What and What Now?

Program purpose and development
After several months of developing the Leadership Academy concept, David Jeffrey, ATC Vice President of Community and Economic Development and Chief Information Officer is pleased ATC, ARCC and the Anoka Chamber are able to bring their collective idea to fruition in this comprehensive program.

“Anoka Technical College is pleased to have initiated such a project that brings the energy of the three partners together to provide a much needed service for businesses and most importantly the community,” says Jeffrey.

“This is one example of the creative partnerships developed by the (ATC) Corporate Center, which provides services to the adult learning community and specialized training to businesses. This is an investment for businesses, employers and the community to create and enhance the leadership pool in this area for years to come.”

Having partnered in the development of the program, ARCC is equally pleased with the development and purpose of the series.

“We [ARCC] are delighted to bring this program to the community,” says Sherry Butcher, ARCC Continuing Education and Customized Training Director. “Leadership is essential in our complex world, and the timing of this series is perfect, considering the many imminent changes that businesses and the community need to be prepared for.”

Butcher cites the Northstar Corridor Rail, new housing and economic development opportunities and the new Medtronic campus as examples of upcoming changes facing the region.

“The Leadership Academy is designed to provide participants with a transformational experience that builds new skills, new networks and new perspectives to meet the challenges of our constantly changing community,” Butchers says.

For more information, current and future leaders can contact Sherry Butcher, David Jeffrey at 763.576.4725 or DJeffrey@anokatech.edu or Judy Manetas at 763.576.4793 or jmanetas@anokatech.edu.

Anoka Area Leadership Academy

• Monthly: Third Thursdays
• January 25 - June 21, 2007
• 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) and Anoka Technical College (ATC)
• Fee: $1500 (includes all materials, assessments and lunches)
• Registration deadline: December 22, 2006

ABOUT ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC), with campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, has been a leading provider of higher education and training in East Central Minnesota since 1978 and the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St. Paul since 1965. Annually, the college serves more than 9,700 learners of all ages as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, or certificate programs that lead immediately to rewarding careers. In 2006, there were 5,042 registrations for ARCC Continuing Education and Customized Training non-credit courses. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, which includes 32 institutions on 53 campuses.

ABOUT ANOKA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Established in 1967, Anoka Technical College is an institution of higher education that provides quality technical and general education for employment, workforce development and lifelong learning through partnerships with business, industry and the community. ATC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees, diplomas, and certificates in more than 50 programs, training and areas of study, serving nearly 4,000 students annually.

ABOUT ANOKA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial, civic and general interests of the cities of Andover, Anoka, Champlin, Dayton, Ramsey and St. Francis and its trade areas. We proudly serve these communities and as the premier representative, we provide innovate, high-quality programs and services that increase, protect and enhance a healthy business environment for the benefit of our members.