Shakirah Hill
  • Class of 2014
  • Duncan, SC

Duncan, SC, student to participate in Milliken/Wofford Summer Leadership Institute June 21-27

2009 Jun 19

Shakirah Hill, a student at Byrnes High School in Duncan, SC, is among 36 leading high school rising seniors from three states are getting an introduction to the dynamics of leadership and principles of team building at the Milliken/Wofford Summer Leadership Institute in Spartanburg. They arrive on the Wofford College campus on Sunday, June 21, and will continue in the program through Saturday, June 27.

The Institute, held at Milliken & Company's Milliken University and on the campus of Wofford, provides the students with valuable corporate and academic experiences designed to encourage leadership and other skills for success in school and business. Now in its 12th year, the Institute is modeled after leadership training courses offered to Milliken associates.

Milliken and Wofford provide the students with leadership and team development skills that they might not normally receive through traditional classroom education. The program gives participants insight into leadership careers in business at an early age, and in the process, helps attract top students to both Wofford and Milliken. Activities included team building, problem solving, presentation skills, creativity, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing plant tours.

Part of the students' time will be spent working with four community programs - the SOAR Academy, The Haven, the Soup Kitchen and the Cancer Association.

Institute participants are housed at Wofford, and evenings include a continuation of project work and free time for relaxation and recreation. One key to the success of the week is the use of Wofford students as counselors to the high schoolers, establishing a bond with the young people.

On Friday, June 26, the students will get a chance to present their project results to Milliken CEO Roger Milliken and Wofford President Benjamin B. Dunlap along with the leadership teams of Milliken and Wofford College.

"I think it is important for young people to get out in the world and experience some of what they can expect in the future," says Roger Milliken, chairman and CEO of Milliken. "It speaks highly of students who will take a week of their summer vacation to explore new ideas that will benefit them in future years."