What is the Ford Leadership Scholars program?
The program is a result of the Texas FFA Foundation, Ford Division, and Texas Ford Dealers partnership to enhance the leadership opportunities of Texas FFA members. The purpose of the program is to: 1) Identify students who exhibit high levels of leadership at the chapter level. 2) Engage these identified students in a leadership development program created to enhance those qualities of leadership. 3) Recognize the scholars to build a remarkable legacy for the future of our state and nation.
Who are the scholars?
Each year the program will select 10 new scholars. They will be juniors in high school at the time of applying and must have met the requirements of the Lone Star Degree to apply. The applicants should be highly motivated students with a deep interest in the topic of leadership.
How will they be selected?
The criteria for selection will be based upon 6 characteristics of leadership: Action, Relationships, Vision, Character, Awareness and Continuous Improvement. These six characteristics were identified by leaders of the Agriculture industry as essential characteristics of leadership. The selection process will use an application process, examination covering a leadership book, a phone interview, and an in-person evaluation to select the 10 scholars. A selection committee comprised of industry leaders will review appications and will conduct both phone and in-person interviews.
How will scholars enhance those qualities of leadership?
The scholars will participate in a week long training seminar prior to state convention. During that time they will select a leadership project to work on during the fall semester. Each scholar will also be utilized by the Texas FFA Foundation during the State Convention. Each scholar will be assigned a mentor who will assist the scholar through their leadership project during the fall semester. In January, each scholar will present his or her project results to the entire group for evaluation. If completed successfully, the scholar will have effectively completed the Ford Leadership Scholars program.
What do scholars receive as a result of the program?
First, scholars have a tremendous opportunity to grow as leaders through the training they will receive, the relationship with their mentor, and the exposure they will have to key business and industry leaders. After completing the program, past participants will be targeted as candidates for internships in agriculture industry and policy development. Ford Scholars Alumni will be promoted to industry leaders throughout Texas and during the Texas legislative session.
A special promotional poster will be designed as a cooperative effort with the Texas Ford Dealers and the Texas FFA Association to recognize the Ford Leadership Scholars and to generate interest in the program. The scholars will also be recognized on stage at the State FFA convention.
Lastly, each scholar will receive a $1,000 scholarship known as the San Antonio Rural Youth Award.
How long does this process from application until conclusion take?
Applications are due in early January for the program. Selection of students will conclude in May, and on June 1, the scholars will be announced. The training begins in early July, and the leadership projects begin in August. The projects should conclude in December with the evaluations occurring in January. The entire Ford Leadership Scholars process should take about 1 full year from application until conclusion. Students will finish in January of their senior year, but will be recognized on stage during the state convention that following summer.
How do I apply?
The entire application is completed through the online roster system. A step by step instructional document is posted at the bottom of the page.
(This document will be posted on Thursday, December 10th)
(The application will not be live until December 9th, 2009. It must be submitted by 11:59pm on January 14th.)
The application process requires both student and advisor submission, so students should submit the application in a timely manner, allowing for advisor approval on or prior to January 14th.
2010 Timeline
December 9th 2009 – Applications Available
January 14th, 2010 – Applications Due
February 1-5, 2010 – Online Test Administered
March 23, 2010 – Notification of Interviews
April 6-8, 2010 – Phone Interviews
April 16, 2010 – Notification of 2nd Interview
May 21, 2010 – Interview in Austin (in-person)
June 1, 2010 – Notification of 2010 Ford Leadership Scholars
July 5, 2010 – Scholars report for training
July 12, 2010 – Scholar/Mentor Reception and Dinner
July 13-16, 2010 – Convention
(Periodic conference calls during fall semester and possible meetings with mentor)
December 10, 2010 – Luncheon and Pre-evaluation meeting in San Antonio
January 3-4, 2011 – Evaluation/ Final Reception with Mentors.
If you have more questions, contact:
Blaze Currie
Leadership Development Coordinator
Texas FFA Association
(512) 480-8045
“Leadership cannot really be taught. It can only be learned.”
-Harold Geneen