By Sheila Watson
Contributing Writer

Forget the stereotypical image of college life being all parties and pranks. Students around the College of Charleston campus are spending extracurricular time learning to be leaders.

“Leadership CofC” is a new program that provides an opportunity for 45 juniors and seniors to learn about and discuss issues facing them as future leaders of society, communities and organizations.

The students go through an application and interview process to get into the program. They meet seven times during the academic year and network with leaders outside the college.

The program is part of the Student Affairs Department’s Student Leadership Center, whose mission is “to provide programs that create opportunities for student involvement and learning through individual and group leadership activities.”

According to program director Michael Duncan, the program is designed to teach the concept that leadership skills are life skills and that leadership is a process, not a position.

“The whole premise to help the college student see how leadership is handled outside of college and to start making the transition there,” Duncan said.

Each year the program will have a different theme and different activities. This year’s theme, “Leadership for Lifetime,” included activities such as dinner with three executive vice presidents of a local bank, a visit to the Statehouse, a question-and-answer session with Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and interaction with officers of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.

The program’s intended outcomes are for the student to:

• Develop character education.

• Learn to empower one’s self and others.

• Discover one’s strengths and areas of development.

• Learn to inspire others.

• Know how to be a good citizen.

• Practice the specifics of organization.

• Manage time.

• Develop decision-making skills.

• Recognize and appreciate the diversity that exists in today’s multicultural society.

In addition to Leadership CofC, the Student Leadership Center offers a leadership seminar for freshman students. The seminar is a non-credit, nine-week experience held during the first semester of school.

“The seminar helps define effective leadership,” said Duncan. “It also helps them with listening skills, academic skills and study skills. Basically, it’s giving them tools to become effective leaders.”

Last fall, there were two sections held Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons, Duncan said.

“We’re in the process of creating phase two of that program. They were so engaged that they wanted to continue,” he said.

SUBSCRIBE | REPRINTS | CONTACT US

Phone: 843-849-3100    Fax: 843-849-3122