Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

A graphic design with squiggly lines and a green background.
SPARK Leadership
The Leadership Styles of Pop Culture Icons

Lancaster Campus SPARK Leadership

SPARK Leadership is a semester-long program designed to help you develop valuable leadership skills and give you a competitive edge. 

We'll explore the leadership styles of two well-known pop culture figures: Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, and Ted Lasso, an American football coach on the hit tv show Ted Lasso.

Ted Lasso, Manager of A.F.C. Richmond
Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso (fictional character) is an American college football coach hired to manage fictional English Premier League soccer team, A.F.C. Richmond.

Owner, Savannah Bananas
Jesse Cole

Jesse is the creator of Banana Ball and founder of Fans First Entertainment, who owns and operates the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals & Firefighters.

Benefits of SPARK Leadership

  • You can earn two (2) hours of academic credit for fall semester 2025.
  • Network and learn from community leaders and OHIO alumni by participating in four (4) required Friday seminars. 

  • Apply Now!

    Become a leader you would follow! Apply now to secure your spot. 

    Submit the online application or email Dr. Pamela Kaylor at dawes@ohio.edu. Application extended until Friday, August 29 at 5 p.m.

Fall 2025 Dates & Times

  • Friday, September 5, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Friday, October 3, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Friday, October 31, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Friday, November 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lunch will be provided for each of these sessions

Who Can Apply?

Any curreny Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University student is eligible to apply! A total of 20 students will be selected for the 2025- 2026 SPARK Leadership team.

How to Apply

To apply for the program, please complete the online application. For full consideration, students must submit required documents:

  • A current resume
  • The name and email address for one reference
  • An online application
  • A brief statement explaining goals for program participation

Next Steps

If you are selected for the SPARK Leadership team, you will receive and email with information and instructions for how to enroll for 2 hours of COMS 2900 (Special Topics: Leadership) for Fall 2025.

Program Costs

If you are a full-time student enrolled for 12-18 credit hours for the Fall 2025 semester, there is no additional cost to participate. 

Contact Us

If you have questions, need application assistance or if you would like more information, please contact us.