Leadership skills lead to scholarship

James Cook University fourth year Law student and Student Mentor Leader Chelsea West will be joining the crew of the Young Endeavour after being awarded a leadership scholarship.

Tiffanie Bulstrode from the Cowan Foundation presented Ms West with the $6000 Cowan Grant for the Young Endeavour Leadership scholarship on Wednesday (April 4) at JCU’s Cairns campus.

Ms Bulstrode, who described her own experience sailing on the Young Endeavour as life changing, said Ms West had shown strong leadership skills and professional goals in her application for the scholarship and was a worthy candidate to be joining the youth training ship in June for the Cairns to Townsville leg of its journey.

JCU Teaching and Learning Development Manager Alan Calder said Ms West had completed the Leadership module offered to students through JCU’s Professional College.

“The College offers opportunities for students to develop professional and personal skills, through activities that extend beyond day-to-day studies,” he said.

“Within the Leadership module you can attend a series of on-campus workshops covering different aspects of leadership presented by JCU professional and academic staff including cross-cultural communication, volunteering, public speaking, entrepreneurship and networking skills.”

Ms West said she was looking forward to the teamwork and challenges of life aboard the Young Endeavour.

“I believe I will benefit from this experience because it will give me the chance to push myself to the limits both mentally and physically and determine what I am made of,” she said.

“This is important to me as a graduating student as I want to know whether I am ready for the challenges of the real world.”

After the trip she will make presentations to various community and student groups to further promote and display the leadership skills she has developed and to promote the benefits of personal development activities such as those provided by the JCU Professional College, The Cowan Grant and the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.

Issued April 4, 2012

Media enquiries: E. linden.woodward@jcu.edu.au T. 07 4232 1007