Yesterday, today and forever: stepping stones to becoming a 21st century leader.

First, I would like to thank those responsible for giving me for this opportunity to be a part of the 2nd Annual Alumni of Color Dinner. I bring you greetings from my new home, Southern University and A & M College-the only Historic Black College or University System in the Nation, the School of Nursing-Dean Janet Rami-the School's only Dean, A School of Nursing that is nationally known for producing the largest number of minority BSNs. The Graduate Programs, where I serve as the Chair-- administratively responsible for a Master of Science in Nursing Program-specializing in Family Health Nursing-- offering role options in Education, Administration and Family Nurse Practitioner. We also have a Scholarship opportunity for persons wishing to complement their studies with Rehabilitation Nursing that provides full tuition and a monthly stipend. And if that's not great, I am privileged to oversee a PhD in nursing program, which made history as the only PhD in Nursing in the state of Louisiana and the 2nd PhD in Nursing in a Historically Black College of University (Hampton is the first). I have come here to applaud your selection of Nursing, to celebrate in your decision to become a University of Michigan Professional Nurse; to rejoice in the culmination of your tenacious, steadfast, committed preparation that may have been filled with a few study days, study nights, & study weekends; for hanging in there during several anxious moments. Hopefully, you also experienced a few joyous moments interspersed throughout your college nursing school days from successful endeavors. And I'm sure that unless you differed a lot from me when I began my Nursing Career Journey 27 years ago, you have also experienced moments of tears and whispered many prayers of thanksgiving standing at the posted grad sheet. This is a wonderful and exciting time to enter the nursing profession. Although, it is a time of transition, it is a time when you can make a difference and help charter Nursing & America's Health Care's directional course. If you would think with me briefly on the subject, Yesterday, Today and Forever: Stepping Stones to Becoming a 21st Century Leader A person much wiser than I stated - If we do not know our past, we are destined to repeat it! Lessons learned from the Alumni, can provide you with essential stepping stones to becoming an effective 21 st century Leader. Porter-O'Grady & Wilson have identified what they consider Essential Characteristics of an effective 21st Century Leader - An effective 21 st century leader must possess: * Conceptual Competencies-be a system thinker, function in chaos and recognize and synthesize patterns * Participation Competencies-be involved, be empowered and empower others, and be accountable for your actions * Interpersonal Competencies-be receptive, be facilitating and be a coach * Leadership Competencies-have the Technical expertise and use a transformational interactive leadership style. (Porter-O'Grady & Wilson 1995) You have been or were exposed to elements of these essential competencies in your programs here at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and should be prepared to face the world! I want to spend most of my time with you tonight exploring the phenomena of Becoming. I have been pondering this evolutionary phenomena for the past 10 years. It continues to evolve in clarity for me...so here's where I am with it today... What about this becoming? Webster defines becoming as "to grow or to come to be." According to, Hendricks...There are three distinct phases that we all experience in our "Becoming". Whether is it becoming a leader or a great, dependable follower; a good student, yes and even a good nurse. I believe we all encounter this phenomena in many aspects of our life. Somebody - Nobody - Someone Let's continue to explore this process of becoming. …