Frequently Asked Questions
Betsy Magness Leadership Institute
What is BMLI?
Who was Betsy Magness?
What is new about the program for 2007-2008?
What is the application process?
I applied to BMLI before and did not get in. Can I apply again?
What is the time committment for the BMLI program?
What is the schedule for the BMLI Fellowship year?
What is BMLI?
The Betsy Magness Leadership Institute is a yearlong education program which features direct feedback, personal development and industry involvement. Over 300 women have completed the nationally recognized program and continue to be actively engaged in transforming our industry. Throughout the course of four sessions, Fellows address key issues such as personal empowerment, risk taking, leadership and ethics. Fellows also have reading assignments between sessions and their final project, the Life Plan, challenges the Fellows to take charge of their personal and professional destinies.
Who was Betsy Magness?
Betsy Magness played an instrumental role in building TCI; later AT&T Broadband and Internet Services and now Comcast Communications, into one of the most prominent and influential companies in the industry. Betsy and her husband, Bob, started a cable company in Memphis, Texas, in 1956. By 1965, they moved to Denver to establish a headquarters to serve the six systems and 12,500 subscribers they now served. In 1968 they formed TCI by merging their two companies; Community Television, Inc., and Western Microwave, Inc. Betsy died in 1985, but her legacy endures. In 1993, WICT formed the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute with a generous grant from TCI’s Bob Magness and J.C. Sparkman.
What is new about the program for 2007-2008?
There are several new and exciting enhancements to the BMLI program for the upcoming year. These include:
- Class size will stay at 50, in order to accommodate the industry demand for this prestigious leadership program. However, in order to maintain the rapport among the Fellows, the program will be broken into two sections of 25 Fellows each.
- WICT will no longer accept nominations to the program. Each applicant must be recommended by her corporate Human Resources department and must secure written confirmation of corporate support.
What is the application process?
Application for BMLI Classes XVI and XVII are now being accepted. Please download the brochure for more information on the application process and to review the full application. Good luck to all those applying!
I applied to BMLI before and did not get in. Can I apply again?
Yes, as long as you have the recommendation of your corporate Human Resources department. The fee will be waived if you have applied for BMLI in the past 2 years; Class XII/XIII (2005-2006) or Class XIV/XV (2006-2007).
What is the time commitment for the BMLI program?
Fellows will attend a week-long orientation in October 2007 as well as four 2-day sessions throughout the course of the year. Some reading and preparation is required outside of the sessions.
What is the schedule for the BMLI Fellowship year?
An October 2007 orientation, held at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North Carolina, is an intensive one-week workshop on personal leadership exploration.
On November 15, 2007, the Class XVI and XVII Fellows will be formally introduced to the cable industry at the WICT Foundation Benefit Gala in Washington, DC. The Fellows will also participate in a session with BMLI Alumnae.
The January 2008 session in Miami, Florida focuses on individual empowerment.
The March 2008 session emphasizes values, ethics, business acumen and industry specific skills. This session will be held in San Diego, CA.
The May 2008 Transition/Graduation session will be held Las Vegas, NV.