CAPS PROGRAM: MILE


The Mitchell Institute annually offers the opportunity for Scholars to participate in MILE — the Mitchell Institute Leadership Experience — a weekend-long leadership and professional development activity that has involved as many as 60 Scholars each year. This high-level experiential and professional learning program includes, among other activities, an Outward Bound-style adventure, strategic planning for community service activities, and thought-provoking dialogue and interaction with representatives from various career paths. Scholars embroil themselves in panel discussions that inspire them to consider their own career plans and goals, challenging them to ask themselves and others the hard questions that all too often are unvoiced — about career choices and personal responsibility. They also take the initiative to formulate group community service projects. On every level, the MILE events inspire innovation, risk-taking, trust building, civic responsibility, career review, communication and personal empowerment.

The community service aspect of the leadership weekend integrates hands-on learning opportunities with the substance of planning, budgeting and follow-through. Additionally, it strengthens in our Scholars an understanding of the importance of individual and group volunteerism. We actively encourage their ongoing commitments to community service and are working to find ways to involve even more Mitchell Scholars.

Throughout the MILE weekend, individual and group leadership, partnering, team building, lively group dialogue around decisions and awareness of the positions and views of others, all become vitally important — be it racing down whitewater rapids or across a table discussing business or professional ethics. Somehow, quality value judgments, trust, and human dynamics become very relevant. Developing these strengths certainly provides a solid foundation for success in the workplace.

The activities undertaken at MILE enhance personal and professional leadership, build a better understanding of the dynamics of team and individual cooperation, promote reflection on career paths and personal strengths, build self esteem, and strengthen both individual and group commitment to community service. The Mitchell Institute believes that by fortifying these areas, Mitchell Scholars are more prepared to be civic-minded members of Maine communities and productive members of a professional workforce.

Since 2006, MILE has been fully funded by a single donor — Unum. We are deeply grateful to Unum and its leadership for assisting us in this important program. The Mitchell Institute is also thankful for the help of the New England Outdoor Center — our host for MILE since 2003.

Since 2007, the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council, along with Mitchell Institute staff and the support of Unum, has offered a second MILE event each year.

The Mitchell Institute Leadership Experience II (MILE II) is sponsored and hosted by Unum, and organized by the Alumni Council. It is a day-long professional development opportunity that brings Mitchell Scholars and Alumni together with business and government leaders from across Maine. Exciting professional opportunities, important public policy issues, and emerging new career paths are presented by speakers and discussed in interactive sessions.

For more information about either MILE program, please CONTACT US.