San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico has established a county-wide community leadership program. Now in its twelfth year, Leadership San Juan has provided a comprehensive program to identify, encourage, and enlighten emerging leaders so that they can be better informed as they move into leadership positions.

Each year, twenty-five individuals are selected for the program from applicants throughout the county. Class participants are representative of the demographics of the county including vocation, location, and ethnicity. The class sessions are held one day a month for nine months and cover various topics and issues that impact San Juan County. Topics covered during the year include Business, Education, Health and Human Services, Multicultural, Media, Government, and Criminal Justice.

As we move into the new century, it is increasingly important that the individuals who will assume into leadership positions prepare to meet the challenges of the future. In addition to the important issues, participants of Leadership San Juan learn about the leadership skills and qualities required of effective leaders.

San Juan College provides the staff and support required to make Leadership San Juan an effective program. Resources are allocated to support the activities of the program and to build the partnerships that make the program successful.

The graduates of Leadership San Juan now number over 250 individuals, many of whom are very active in the Alumni Association. Among the graduates are a state senator, four of five county commissioners, the city mayors of two communities, three school superintendents and many others who represent business and non-profit organizations.

Alumni are active on boards and committees throughout the county and have been a positive influence in their communities. Before each election, the Leadership San Juan Alumni hold candidate forums to better inform the voters. They have also participated in many civic events and activities.

Each year, the class completes three or four projects that benefit the county. This year, they sponsored and published a six page insert on the importance of literacy in the county. Existing programs that address illiteracy were highlighted and the importance of addressing this issue was stressed. The class also assisted the Shiprock Boys and Girls Club on the Navajo Reservation in their efforts to acquire books for the library.
San Juan College has involved many organizations in this partnership which has created a long-term, sustainable program to promote civic responsibility and active participation among the citizens of the county.

Leadership San Juan web site: http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/leadershipsanjuan/