Leadership Institute
Daniel Gaken, Director
Powers 100
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
989-774-LEAD (5323)
www.cmich.edu/leadership
Introduction
The Leadership Institute was established in 1997 to help Central Michigan University prepare students to serve as leaders in in business, government, education, and community agencies. Since its creation, the Leadership Institute has been recognized as a national best practices program for creating student leaders. The Leadership Institute functions as the coordinating body for the university’s present and future leadership-related activities and programming. The Institute works to ensure that CMU graduates leaders, this work is guided by four overarching leadership learning goals:
- Leadership knowledge and application: students understand theoretical and historical perspectives of leadership, they are equipped to evaluate options, think critically, and take healthy risks, and are forward thinking.
- Identity development: students demonstrate accurate self-appraisal, have developed a well-defined sense of purpose, understand their identities and intersectionality of them, and they seek and consider feedback from others.
- Health relationships: student can manage interpersonal conflict effectively, display appropriately assertive behavior, develop mutually beneficial relationships, value diverse perspectives, and demonstrate care for others.
- Social responsibility: students understand power and privilege, actively work for the great good (social justice), demonstrate consideration for the welfare of others in decision-making, and act with integrity.
The work of the Institute is done through academic courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, service learning and volunteerism.
Leader Advancement Scholarship (LAS) Protocol
Recipients of the Leader Advancement Scholarships follow a comprehensive four-year leadership development protocol. The protocol is overseen by the Academic Senate’s Leadership Council and contains both academic coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Fourteen (14) courses across three academic colleges have chosen for course objectives related to leadership. Faculty with expertise in leadership modify these courses to infuse leadership theory into the class. Most courses are components of the university’s General Education requirements and do not constitute additional coursework for student completing the LAS protocol. Leader Advancement Scholars document their leadership learning through a dynamic online portfolio. Students completing the protocol will be recognized at the university’s commencement ceremony with a Leadership Institute medal.
Freshmen Year Requirements
Academic Coursework:
| COM 267 | Introduction to Debate | 3(3-0) |
| HST 110 | The American Experience | 3(3-0) |
| LDR 100 | Introduction to Leadership Education and Development | 1(1-0) |
| LDR 200 | Introduction to Leadership | 3(2-2) |
| PSY 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Experiences:
- Service on a Leadership Institute LEAD Team
- Involvement in one (1) registered student organization
- Attendance at three (3) leadership lectures each semester
- Completion of Spark Leadership
- Completion of thirty (30) hours of volunteer service
- Reside in Barnes Hall
Sophomore Year Requirements
Academic Coursework:
| CGL 145 | Racism and Discrimination in America through Dialogue | 3(3-0) |
| PHL 118 | Moral Problems | 3(3-0) |
| COM 461 | Communication in Leadership | 3(3-0) |
| SOC 221 | Social Problems | 3(3-0) |
Experiences:
- Service on a Leadership Institute LEAD Team
- Involvement in two (2) registered student organizations
- Mentor a member of the freshmen LAS cohort
- Completion of thirty (30) hours of volunteer service
- Reside in any on-campus housing
Junior Year Requirements
Experiences:
- Service on a Leadership Institute LEAD Team
- Involvement in two (2) registered student organizations
- Leadership role in an organization
- Service on a university committee (either junior OR senior year)
- Completion of thirty (30) hours of volunteer service
Senior Year Requirements
Experiences:
- Service on a Leadership Institute LEAD Team
- Involvement in two (2) registered student organizations
- Leadership role in an organization
- Service on a university committee (either junior OR senior year)
- Completion of thirty (30) hours of volunteer service
Co-Curricular Leadership Programs
The Leadership Institute offers a four-year leadership program sequence. Enrollment in student leadership programs is open to all Central Michigan University undergraduate and graduate students. Programs include Leadership Safari, Spark Leadership, Catalyst, the Connections Leadership Conference, Ignite Leadership, and the LeaderShape Institute.