Online course
Is your community willing to invest in its future? Take our assessment and discover your community's leadership strengths and priorities.
"One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
— John F. Kennedy
Extension is in the business of growing leaders and strengthening leadership. We believe that sound leadership will create a better future for Minnesota. See what we have to offer.
We help community leaders make better decisions and design more effective meetings. We teach leaders how to create stronger connections with community members.
Leadership education helps communities grow their local leadership capacity.
Our approach to leadership and civic engagement is grounded in research. But we always keep the real needs of communities in mind.
We work to engage with tribal leaders and strengthen tribal partnerships and communities in Minnesota.
Find educational resources below that include articles, podcasts and videos to help strengthen leadership skills and community engagement.
Is your community willing to invest in its future? Take our assessment and discover your community's leadership strengths and priorities.
Social capital is the glue that holds communities together. Learn about building trust and basic ways to grow it every day.
How do charismatic leaders impact communities? Learn how the relationship between them and their followers offers key insights to experienced and future community leaders.
How do you engage with the public? Find resources to help you increase public involvement, assist with meeting planning and facilitation, and make group decisions.
How are you managing conflict? Dive into our self-paced course to grow and re-energize your skills around conflict, rebuilding trust, and more.
Explore our community news and insights page for current topics on leadership and civic engagement.
() How are your group projects going? Is everyone on your team contributing? Learn about group dynamics and well-performing teams.
() Good communication is necessary for successful group work. Learn how to create guidelines to help your meetings be effective and fair.
() What does it mean to be an ally? Learn how you can support marginalized communities.
() How are you doing — really? Your mental health and well-being are essentially your internal bandwidth. Learn how you can check that signal.
Listen to conversations on community-focused topics from Vital Connections On Air and Indigenized Connections On Air.
() How do you lead authentically? Listen as we explore topics such as emotional intelligence, implicit bias for and against others, hospitable and welcoming communities, equity-minded leadership, and…
() Words have power. Listen as we explore topics such as oppressive civility, microaggression, advancing women and women of color into leadership positions, privilege, and more.
() Even as more women step into leadership roles, much work remains to reach true gender equity. Listen as we talk with Teresa Kittridge about supporting rural women in leadership.
() Hear our conversation with Brenda Child about the legacy of boarding schools and its impact on tribal land, American Indian education, and more.
Two for You is a series of two-minute videos.You will learn about positive psychology research to help you live and lead with intention.
"I will become more involved in my community. No more staying behind the scenes."
— Tina Swanson, Emerging Leadership Program, 2016
Extension strengthens the leadership and civic engagement skills of community members across Minnesota. Our educators have guided thousands of participants through their leadership journey.
Community economics • Leadership and civic engagement • Tourism
Extension educators work in communities with partners throughout Minnesota. Contact us for consultation, guidance and conversation about your community.
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