The Leadership Development degree is based on the fundamental insight that developing leaders need three interrelated capacities to succeed in their work.

First, they must be capable of a broad spectrum of skills related to interpersonal communications and relations. These skills range from listening ability to the ability to broadcast a message to a large audience.

Second, they must be effective in their actions. They must be able to envision ambitious results, assess current realities and use the power of existing systems to realize their visions.

Third, leaders must have a deep understanding of existing complex systems, particularly those involving the public institutions of government and the private institutions of the marketplace.

Program graduates will:

• possess the ability to understand and demonstrate effective dialogue and the ability to describe and apply principles of creative leadership
• be able to appreciate and explain public systems (specifically the different levels of government, the court systems and theories of governance) and understand and describe private systems (free-market principals, economic development and the role of nonprofit and charitable organizations in the community)
• demonstrate technological literacy and experience with hardware, software, the Internet and basic computer applications
• be skillful and knowledgeable leaders who will be able to create deep and radical changes in organizations and communities
• be prepared to advance in both their career and their community

In addition, the Leadership Program will provide a strong foundation for those students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in Leadership, Communications, Social Work, or Political Science.