LEADERSHIP
Minor and Certificate
Students can enhance their education at Gannon by completing a Leadership minor in addition to their major field of study. The minor consists of six courses which will cover skills in many areas including how to:
- Solve problems creatively
- Negotiate and bargain effectively
- Lead, motivate, and empower others
- Build a team
- Bring people to consensus
- Effectively communicate via listening, speaking, and writing skills
Following is an overview of the courses needed to complete the Leadership minor.
The Leadership Process: An Orientation
(one credit course taken Freshman or Sophomore year)
- Introduces leadership concepts and how to begin playing a leadership role on campus and in daily life
- Introduces students to the vocabulary and basic theory of leadership studies and basic leadership skills
- Acquaints students with opportunities for participation in leadership roles
- Gives an overview of organizational, community, campus, and governmental leadership
- Students meet with campus and community leaders as well as Gannon graduates.
Experiential Leadership
(two credits, sophomore year)
- The focus in on types of leaders and leadership styles and skills.
- Various community leaders are highlighted to serve as examples of different types/styles of leadership.
- Case studies are used to study problem solving, creativity, leadership styles, ethical decision making, and transformational vs. transactional leadership.
Leadership I: Theory
(three credit course, Junior or Senior year)
- Focuses on the formal theories of leadership and the concepts basic to them--visioning, defining a mission, planning, empowerment and enabling, conflict resolution, creativity, judgment
Leadership II: Skills
(three credit course, Junior or Senior year)
- Pursues and develops leadership tools -- strategic thinking, decision making, communication, team building, organizational reinvention/renewal, mentoring
- Emphasis is on lessons learned for practicing leaders and personal applications
Leadership Capstone and Practicum
(0-3 credit course)
- Provides an avenue for acknowledgment of leadership on campus and/or service in the community
- For students who want credit for this course, leadership service (internship, campus leadership, Leadership Erie internship) is combined with an advanced seminar of reading and reflection for the purpose of interfacing theory and skills. A final integrating portfolio is also required in which students weave together theory and experience to develop their own philosophy of leadership and a personal action plan with individual goals for growth.
One additional three credit elective is also required.
