Learning to LeadLeading to Learn: Honors

Leadership Course

Candy McCorkle, Ph.D.Assistant Dean of Honors Program

Jackson College

Overview

• Introduction• The Premise of FYS 250• Defining Leadership• Applying Principles of Leadership• Finding and Owning Their Voice• Putting Leadership into Action

What is Leadership?

• In groups of 3-4 create a definition of leadership.

• Ubuntu:"I am because you are," is the deep meaning of Ubuntu, a traditional African philosophy recognizing the shared essence within humanity and life.Being a leader is not about having a position of status within an organization but instead about knowing who you are in relation to others. Understanding that there is a place for each of us and our gifts.

Premise of FYS 250

• The course focused introducing leadership principles as means of engaging students and improving learning outcomes• Atypical First Year Seminar for honors students• An opportunity to learn how they are connected to their

community (class, college, neighborhood, family, city, state, country world)• The course went beyond navigating college, study skills and

using resources• Focus was on learning to invest in self and others.

Defining Leadership

• Readings form “Leadership Development Studies: A Humanities Approach, 4th Ed., by Phi Theta Kappa in 5 areas:• 1- Leadership Philosophy• 2 – Servant Leadership• 3 – Team Building• 4- Making Decisions• 5- Empowering Others

The Application of Leadership in Class

• Developing personal vision and mission statements• Creating classroom rules and roles• Observing and analyzing leadership

• Remember the Titans• Freedom Writers

• Identifying and applying the following to learning • What kind of leader are you?• What competencies of a leader do you have?• What traits of a leader do you possess?• How can you develop other traits?

Transformation of Students Level of Engagement

Beginning of Semester Conclusion of Semester

Service Learning Projects

• Formulating Idea• Researching feasibility of project• Redesign• Planning project• Implementing Project• Reflection

• “Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” John Maxwell

Q & A