LEWISTON – Two courses in the new Master of Arts in Leadership Studies (MLS) program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will be offered in the spring semester, which opens Jan. 20.

MLS 602 Foundations of Leadership Studies II: Understanding and Leading Individuals and Groups will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. The course will be a study of the ethical, cognitive and interpersonal factors that impact “followership” and potential for collaboration.

MLS 650 Cultural Contexts will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and will consist of an exploration of the influence of culture within organizations and surrounding them, including community, national, and global sources of diversity.

The new program is an innovative program, which provides opportunities for organizational and community leaders to build a deep understanding of the dynamics of leadership, how leadership interacts with other human dynamics and the role of the leader in society.

The mission of the program is to develop professionals who understand the nature of human relationships, appreciate the impact individuals can have on society, exercise effective, ethical leadership in organizations and communities in the context of globalization.

Students interested in registering for one of the spring semester MLS courses are asked to contact Roger Philippon, assistant dean at LAC, at 753-6560.

A limited number of students not yet enrolled in the program will be allowed to register. Applications for matriculation into the program are also being accepted.

Course registration will remain open through the first week of classes, which begin Jan. 20. A complete spring semester course listing is available at the college’s Web site at usm.maine.edu/lac.