BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sept. 20, 2011) — Bemidji State University’s Optivation venture presents a two-part online course in the art of leadership, where participants will define leadership and the role it plays in their lives.

The course begins Monday, Oct. 3 and will be given by instructor Karen Pikula.

“The Art of Leadership” will teach participants the elements of caring leadership, how to identify the satisfactions and frustrations of leadership and what people want in a leader. The analysis and study of leadership involves two intricately entwined elements: psychology, the science of mental processes and behavior; and social identity, how we perceive and make sense of each other. Leaders will be examined through both trait and behavior theories, and the class will focus on the distinguishing qualities of leadership as well as the characteristics of followers that are relevant to leadership.

This course will continue in January with “The Art of Leadership II.” Part two begins on Jan. 9, 2012.

“The Art of Leadership I” carries a fee of $450, plus the cost of an eBook.

Registration for the course is available online.

Karen Pikula bio
Karen Pikula has been employed by Brainerd School District for the past 20 years and teaches at Central Lakes College and for Optivation. Her areas of interest include educational psychology, online learning and leadership style. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in online instruction, both from Bemidji State University. She is currently in the dissertation phase of her doctorate in educational psychology from Capella University.

For more information about Optivation, visit http://www.optivation.org or call (218) 755-4900. A complete list of upcoming courses at Optivation is available on its website at http://optivation.org/calendar/.

LINKS
• More information on the course
• Register online

About Optivation
Optivation is designed to increase collaboration between Bemidji’s higher education providers and the business and technology sectors of the northwest Minnesota region. Staffed by veteran business and entrepreneurial professionals, Optivation delivers targeted training and education systems to help organizations succeed in a changing world. Through its affiliations with Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, Optivation is able to tap into an unparalleled network of people and technology across the state of Minnesota. Optivation is part of Bemidji State University’s Institute of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and is operated jointly by BSU and NTC. For more information, visit optivation.org.