The current generation of college students will be responsible for dealing with a growing leadership crisis and finding solutions to some of the most difficult problems of our time. Challenges facing society include economic polarity, dramatic demographic changes, as well as issues of natural resources and energy, national security, foreign diplomacy, international conflict and economic instability, to name just a few. Leadership education has the potential to transform and develop the current generation of college students into future leaders of tomorrow.
The leadership studies minor, offered in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, is an interdisciplinary, academic and applied program of study that focuses on the fluid process and components of the interaction between leaders and followers in a particular context. Students from all majors will have an opportunity to learn about leadership, while preparing to take an active leadership role in their future career.
There are a number of benefits for students choosing to compliment their major with a minor in leadership studies. Research suggests that undergraduate leadership education can impact a student's personal/professional skills, increase self-confidence, increase interpersonal skills, and make students more effective decision makers, conflict negotiators and goal setters. The leadership studies minor aims to improve a student's self awareness, develop stronger personal values, increase communication effectiveness, and increase a student's organizational skills.
Additionally, the leadership studies minor can increase a student's likelihood to be involved with community action programs and more willing to serve others. Research on leadership education supports the notion that students in leadership programs are more committed to developing leadership in others and are more willing to promote understanding across racial and ethnic groups. Students taking the minor in leadership studies will learn how to become effective social change agents at the institutions where they learn, the organizations where they work, and the communities where they live. Finally, these increased competencies and skills not only serve the personal needs of each student, by developing a well rounded individual, it also helps a student's marketability in pursuing jobs after college.