What's at Stake? Deans & Directors on the Future of Leadership Studies

Session Submission Type: Panel Discussion

Short Description

This panel is a unique opportunity to hear from leaders of some of the top academic programs in the United States. They will discuss current and future trends in leadership studies including perspectives and priorities for their centers and schools.

Detailed Abstract

The first leadership studies program in the United States of America was founded in 1972 at the University of Colorado. Since that time American higher education has taken an eclectic approach to program development, ranging from single programs to centers and institutes to academic departments and, in 1987, the formation of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as the first school for 
leadership.

 This diversity is reflected at each year's ILA conference, with project and program directors seeking the opportunity to hear and learn from each other about faculty and program development, community and foundation partnerships, best practices, strategic priorities and other lessons learned. Indeed, ILA is the primary venue for bringing together these leaders through the Leadership Education Program Directors, Deans and Chairs Affinity Group.



This panel will add an important dimension to the Affinity Group's work by bringing together 4 leaders from among the top academic programs. The panelists represent:

- The Dean of an education school that offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral program in leadership studies, and that includes a number of research centers and institutes.
- The Dean of one of the largest faculties and a pioneering school in leadership studies. The School is particularly regarded as a major center of gravity for interdisciplinary research, faculty development, and undergraduate education. Its seminars and conferences shape how scholars from around the world approach leadership studies.

- The long-term Dean of another pioneering center of leadership studies that also offers one of the widest ranges of leadership studies programs in the country: an academic major, minor, and certificate program as well as executive education programs and a research-oriented faculty. It was one of the first programs to bring together business and public service in a single academic center under a liberal arts curriculum.

- The Director of a public research university School that is one of the largest undergraduate leadership studies programs as well as the most popular academic program on its campus, with over 1200 students. This School also offers a program for graduate students from multiple disciplines as well a Ph.D. in 

Leadership Communication – all housed in a purpose-built facility.

Three of the panelists are founding members and current or past chairs of the Leadership Education Program Directors, Deans and Chairs Affinity Group.

Each panelist will address three questions tied to the conference theme of Leadership: Courage Required -
- As you look back over the past few years, what areas has your
 school/program focused on, and what have been your biggest risks?
- As you look to the future, what opportunities do you see for leadership studies?
 What investments are most important to you?
- As you look to the future, what 2-3 areas of risk are most apparent to you?



In responding to these questions, the goal is for each discussant to reflect on their strategic intent as well as to help participants identify common themes among the programs. Panelists will speak briefly on each of these questions and will then respond to questions from the audience. We expect that the session will address a wide range of key issues for leadership studies programs, including:
 anticipated sources of demand for our programs and other services
; curricular themes and pedagogical approaches
; emerging research priorities
; faculty development
; and, potential areas of programmatic focus.


Sub Unit

• Leadership Education

Chair

• Mary H. Tolar, Kansas State University

Presenters

• Nicholas Ladany, University of San Diego

• Sandra J. Peart, University of Richmond

• Gama Perruci, Marietta College