Leadership

The Leadership Career Academy is a competency-based program designed to engage students in leadership principles in both an academic setting and real work experience. The Leadership Academy will prepare students to enter the workforce after graduation with the confidence and knowledge necessary to lead employees effectively and efficiently. Students will learn about leadership styles, communication, goal setting, decision making, ethical decision making, conflict resolution, and team building. The combinations of skills gained are transferable to any sector of employment.

Download 2024-2025 Course Requirements

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Graduation Requirements

Bronze Medal

Psychology of Human Behavior
Technical Writing
Introduction to Public Speaking

Silver Medal

Psychology of Human Behavior
Technical Writing
Introduction to Public Speaking
JROTC I OR Link Leader

Gold Medal

Psychology of Human Behavior
Technical Writing
Introduction to Public Speaking
JROTC I OR Link Leader
JROTC 2-8 OR Activity Captainship

Career Options

Congressional Representative, Member of Congress, Senator, City Council Member, City Councilman, Representative, Elementary or High School Administrators

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Job Outlook

Job Skills

Listening Skills
Effective Communication
Customer & Personal Service
Problem-solving
ime management
Career and maintenance of equipment
Professionalism
Integrity
Communicating with supervisors, co-workers, or people that work under you
Creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships
Making decisions or solving problems
Developing and building teams
Guiding, directing, and motivating people that work under you
Communicating with people outside you organization
Collecting information from different sources
Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work

Postsecondary Programs

Bemidji State University – Business Administration, Management and Operations
Northwest Technical College – Business Administration, Management and Operations
St. Cloud State University – Business Administration, Management and Operations
St. Cloud State University – Public Administration
St. Cloud State University – Educational Administration and Supervision
Minnesota State University Moorhead – Educational Leadership and Supervision
Northland Community and Technical College – Thief River Falls – Education Leadership & Supervision

LTC John Naastad

Lieutenant Colonel John Naastad graduated from Bemidji State High School in 1987. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and subsequently a business degree from Bemidji State University. He worked in the software development industry for 10 years as a developer ending as manager of a research and development department. LTC Naastad spent 28 years in the Army serving in various direct and staff leadership positions. He has completed infantry Officers Basic Course, Combined Arms Services and Staff School, Civil Affairs Advanced Course, Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, and a diploma from Command and General Staff College with additional skill identifiers as a Joint Planner and Strategist. He serves on the board of directors for the Bemidji Area Shooting Association, finance team for First Lutheran Church, Senior Vice Commander for Bemidji Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1260 and is a member of the Bemidji Lions Club. He has been the senior Army Instructor for the Bemidji High School Junior Reserve Officers Corps Program since February 2016.

Business and Industry Experiences / Partners

“Students in the academy will participate in job shadowing, internships, and possible part-time employment with area businesses.”