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Learning What It Takes to Lead
The LeaderShape conference in Bridgeport, Texas, includes sessions on identifying values, developing a vision and committing to action. |
Beverly Ince, a first-year advertising major, had gained leadership experience at her San Antonio high school as swim team captain and class officer, and wanted to continue growing her skills at SMU. Sophomore Chitresh Gupta, a math and mechanical engineering major, hadn’t held leadership roles in his hometown of New Delhi, India, and hoped to learn the basics.
Both students were among the 30 last fall who participated in SMU’s new Leadership Certificate Program, offered through the Office of Leadership and Community Involvement. Open and free to all SMU students, the program consists of nine hour-long workshops over the course of a semester, of which six are required, in addition to six community service hours and a reflection paper.
“All students have leadership potential, but like athletes, leaders need instruction and lots of practice,” says Earl Shaw (’02), a graduate assistant in the Office of Leadership and Community Involvement who developed the program. “Just as athletes exercise their legs, hearts and arms, we exercise the core leadership skills of purpose, courage and humility.”
The nine workshops range from “Goal Setting” and “Teamwork” to “Handling Failure” and “Ethical Leadership,” and have featured speakers including Athletics Director Steve Orsini, Student Affairs Vice President Lori White and the Rev. Michael Waters (’02, ’06), senior pastor of Greater Garth Chapel AME Church. Shaw urges students to immediately put the speakers’ real-world advice into practice in their classes, campus organizations and community service work, and to report back on their progress.
Carol Clyde, director of the Office of Leadership and Community Involvement, says the program provides critical basic training for students across majors. “Employers, graduate schools and community organizations are looking for people who can communicate effectively, manage their time and projects, and motivate others, and this certificate shows these students worked to improve those skills.”
For Ince, one particularly helpful workshop was “Public Speaking” with Jack Miao, adjunct professor in the Edwin L. Cox School of Business. “I learned to collect my thoughts, engage the audience and better express my ideas to reach a common goal, which I’ve practiced in Advertising Club and on Hall Council.”
Gupta, who serves as a Residence Hall Association delegate, says he enjoyed White’s workshop on “Strategic Planning” and Shaw’s “Power of Encouragement.” Most important, he says, “I developed confidence, which means I can go out and make a difference.”
Other opportunities
In addition to the Leadership Certificate Program, the Office of Leadership
and Community Involvement supports student organizations and programs including:
LeaderShape DFW: A conference open to 30 SMU students and 30 students from surrounding universities that emphasizes leading with integrity. Scheduled this year for May 10-15 in Bridgeport, Texas, the conference is free to SMU students.
Leadership Education, Activities and Development (LEAD): A student-run organization whose programs Emerging Leaders, a competitive development program for up to 50 first-year students.
President R. Gerald Turner’s Leadership Summit: These fall and spring lectures feature civic and business leaders.
StrengthsQuest: An online assessment that helps students identify their top five strengths.
Students Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Citizenship (SPARC): The student leaders of this umbrella organization coordinate service activities across campus and in the community. Projects include Alternative Spring Break and Community Service Day.
Find more information and applications at smu.edu/lci.
