EUGENE–Student performance, school drop-out rates and teen violence are just a few of the issues educators attending the University of Oregon College of Education’s summer leadership institute are likely to tackle.

The institute, titled ContinUO, was designed by the college’s administrator licensure program as a call to action for school administrators. The institute will challenge administrators to tackle their toughest challenges–and get results. Including a faculty of Fortune 500 business consultants and local and internationally acclaimed artists, the institute prepares education leaders for the "hard work and heart work of visionary leadership," says Nancy Golden, ContinUO director.

ContinUO will take place from June 26—30 at the Eugene Hilton, 66 E. 6th Ave. More than 100 school superintendents and principals from across the United States are expected to attend.

"The work of school administrators is equally as complex as private business leaders but schools can’t afford the top consultants businesses use to train effective supervisors and re-ignite their passion for their work," says Golden.

Consultant Mark Millemann, who has trained leaders from global corporations, including Sears, Hughes Space and Communications, and BP Oil, will use the same techniques to help school administrators find creative new solutions to tough challenges.

In addition to business-world tactics in change management and action planning, fine arts will play an important role in the institute’s curriculum, focusing on creative leadership and rejuvenation. Internationally renowned poet David Whyte will share his experience in helping businesses "invite the soul to work," says Golden.

ContinUO also will include improvisational theater–including a performance by Encore Theatre–and will feature local sculptor Pete Helzer.

For more information on ContinUO, call (541) 346-1497 or visit the web site at http://continuo.uoregon.edu.

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