St. Cloud State University

 

Mission & Philosophy

OUR MISSION & PHILOSOPHY

The Husky L.E.A.D. Program provides students with training, education, and developmental experiences that encourage growth through exploration of the leadership process. We aspire to promote the development of life long successful leaders, leaders of integrity, and leaders promoting civic engagement and social change within their professions and communities. Exploration of ones leadership and engagement in that process is part of the comprehensive learning outcomes of SCSU.

Our philosophy of leadership is based on the idea that leadership can be learned and that even experienced leaders can continue to learn new concepts. We also support the notion that leadership is a collaborative group process that is inclusive of all participants and therefore not focused on an individual but instead on the relationship between group members. Our belief is that the outcome of the leadership process is oriented toward positive change (Komives, Lucas, McMahon, 2006), whether within the group or the greater community.

The philosophy reflects the goals, objectives and aspirations of the program grounded in a sound theoretical/philosophical base which serves as a template for curricular content decisions.

Leadership is multi-dimensional and is an ongoing process of development and exploration that occurs through out many student experiences and entities at SCSU.

Part of the the 'muliti-dimensional" approach to leadership is GUIDED BY THE SOCIAL CHANGE MODEL OF LEADERSHIP

(Higher Education Research Institute (1996)

Social change refers to creating positive change within the community that in some way benefits the community. Social change leaders are those who work collaboratively to ensure that change occurs. Some have described social change leaders as being focused on collective action, shared power, and having a passionate commitment to social justice and civic engagement.

The social change model is based on seven core values that should be practiced by social change leaders. They are referred to as the Seven C's of Social Change and include: