Michael takes part in leadership program

INDIANAPOLIS -- Identified as one of the new class of legislative leaders in the United States, State Rep. Nancy Michael (D-Greencastle) has been selected to take part in a program next week at the University of Virginia that is designed to encourage those leaders to think about solutions to the complex issues facing our states and country.

Michael will be among an exclusive group of 50 state lawmakers who will take part in the 2010 Program for Emerging Political Leaders, sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

The program starts Monday in Charlottesville, Va.

Michael was selected to participate in the program by Indiana House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend), who nominated the Greencastle lawmaker based on the qualities she has demonstrated during her tenure at the Indiana General Assembly.

Criteria for being selected included the candidate's long-term commitment to public service and a keen interest in self-development. Officials said Michael was also selected for demonstrating integrity, compassion, intelligence, vision and common sense.

Michael is the assistant whip for the Indiana House Democratic Caucus. She is the vice-chair of the House Local Government Committee and a member of three other standing committees: Agriculture and Rural Development; Natural Resources; and Small Business and Economic Development.

The program is designed to challenge participants to think about leadership skills, the daily challenges of governing and the importance of values and ethics in public service. During the event, there will be discussions on such issues as the art of compromise and coalition building, and the philosophical underpinnings of representative democracy.

"These legislators represent the best and brightest, and are destined for future leadership roles in their state," said Stephen G. Lakis, president of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. "After being with these people for several days, you can't help but feel proud and more confident about our unique system of representative democracy."