Ananse Leadership Program

Ananse is a west African (Akan) god of stories, wisdom, knowledge, and creativity, all of which are features of College of Liberal and Fine Arts degrees. Often taking human form, Ananse is known for the valuable lessons humanity learns through stories and solving riddles.

The Ananse Leadership Program is a free program which seeks to encourage COLFA students to grow in areas of critical thinking, effective communication, and other elements of professional development including navigation of career spaces, identity, bias, and more.

Each session brings a new topic with exercises to implement what we learn throughout the week. Students who complete the program are eligible to win a scholarship!

What YOU can expect:

  • Goal setting support: This might be internships, graduate schools, or growth in a particular professional development area.
  • Opportunities for professional development including leadership styles and conflict resolution, as well as personal growth in relation to identity and critical thinking skills.
  • Challenges that encourage growth and connection to your personal career path.

Program Options:

  • The Ananse Leadership Program offers two tracks. Both tracks are free, meet on Mondays at 2:30pm, and provide a supportive environment for developing your leadership skills. The primary difference is how you will apply what you learn.

Ananse Leadership Program Track Options

LFA 1100 – Ananse Leadership Program – Standard Track
Mondays 2:30-3:45pm

This track is ideal if you want to explore your leadership identity, strengthen your confidence, and develop new skills and habits in a supportive group setting. External time committment beyond Monday sessions: 30-60 minutes.

Requirements:

  • Participation and completion of 10-week program
  • Maintain at least 80% or better of in-person attendance
  • Complete required reflections.

LFA 4100 – Ananse Leadership Program – Applied Leadership Track
Mondays 2:30-4:00pm

This track is ideal if you are ready to take your leadership development further through hands-on application. You will complete short readings and activities outside the weekly sessions and design a project that addresses a community need. External time committment beyond Monday sessions: 1 to 3 hours.

Requirements:

  • Attend Applied Leadership Track Info Session
  • Participate in the 10-week program
  • Maintain at least 85% overall in attendance, assigned activities, and reflections.
  • Design and present a community-focused project at the closing event.

Not sure which track to choose? Select the Standard Track to focus on discovering and developing your leadership style. Choose the Applied Leadership Track to put what you learn into practice through guided activities, including designing a community project.

What WE expect:

  • Committment to your personal and professional growth.
  • Attendance at 80% or more of the weekly meetings, reflections, and workshops.
    • 10-week program, Mondays at 2:30pm, in-person (1604 campus)
      • Fall: September to November | Spring: February to April
    • You will meet in-person one day a week.
  • Weekly reflections incorporating the practice of concepts in your daily life

DEADLINE to Apply: One Week (7 Days) after the start of the semester.
Please note, notification to accepted students are sent the day after the deadline.
Questions should be sent to colfassc@utsa.edu.

 

Thank you for your interest! We look forward to working with you.