Leadership Education and Development Program (LEAD)
The Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program is a two-year, comprehensive leadership program designed to empower students to discover their potential and develop their skills as leaders. The program aims to enhance student learning and development in areas of self-knowledge and leadership competence through various workshops, teambuilding exercises, roundtable discussions, reflective activities, and service.
The LEAD program is guided by the following tenets of leadership:
- All students are potential leaders
- Leadership is collaborative
- Leadership is a process rather than a formal position
- Community involvement and service are powerful ways to develop leadership skills and knowledge
- Leadership is focused on creating positive change for others and society
The LEAD Program is made up of two tiers. Tier 1: Personal Responsibility & Development, and Tier 2: Group Application & Community Connections. More information on our Tier requirements and workshops can be found below.
Tier 1: Personal Responsibility & Development
Students will increase their confidence as a leader as well as their self-awareness, including identifying their interests, talents, and values.
Over the eight-week program, Tier 1 participants will attend and reflect upon core workshops including Leadership Imposter Syndrome, Bending, Breaking, and Just Saying No, My Values, CliftonStrengths Part 1, Vulnerability: A Leadership Skill?, Defining Mentorship Pt. 1, and Effective Presentations.
Tier 2: Group Application & Community Connections
Students will recognize that leadership is a group process and examine the dynamics of effective collaboration and communication through continued refinement, integration, and application of Tier 1 skills in a team setting.
Over the eight-week program, Tier 2 participants will attend core workshops including Setting the Foundations of a Team, CliftonStrengths Part II, Beyond IQ: Emotional Intelligence, Everest Simulation, Defining Mentorship Part II, Leadership and Ethics, and Passing the Baton.
Tying It All Together
Participants in each tier will also participate in team-building activities as they work with their schedules, complete 20 hours of service, and deliver a final presentation culminating their experience during the 8-week program. LEAD participants emerge from the program with invaluable leadership skills, a deepened connection to the W&L community, and the tools to make a lasting impact on campus and beyond.