Community Description

New for 2012-2013, the Leadership for Social Change Learning Community will be home to a diverse group of students who share a passion for exploring their own leadership styles and the concept of leadership as a process by which change is effected for the betterment of others.  Students will engage in the exploration of leadership as a process, rather than a position, that promotes the values of social justice, self-knowledge, personal empowerment, collaboration, citizenship, and service.  Students in the community are encouraged to build their leadership skills, discover their passions, and apply their self knowledge to their pursuit to better their community and the world around them.

In 2012-2013, the Leadership for Social Change Learning Community will be home to 60 first-year students, who will have the opportunity to continue in the community in their sophomore year.  The community will live together in one of our five first-year residence halls.

Activities and Programs

In this first year of the Leadership for Social Change Learning Community, students will have an exceptional opportunity to shape the activities and programs for the community.  Students will participate in smaller groups in required bi-weekly leadership workshops on topics ranging from servant leadership, understanding your call to lead, developing your leadership style, leadership and social justice, ethical leadership, leadership in action, and many more.  Students will have the opportunity to hear from upper class students who serve as leaders on campus and in their communities in a wide variety of ways.  Students will develop community through frequent shared meals, involvement opportunities on campus, and service opportunities in the community.

Curricular Requirements

The academic requirements for the Leadership for Social Change Learning Community will be quite different than the requirements for the other learning communities on campus.  In the Fall semester, students will take their required 1 credit hour extended orientation class (UNIV 101) together.  In the Spring semester, students will take a 3 credit civic engagement course (UNIV 190) that will focus on the exploration of leadership for social change.  In addition to the academic requirements for the community, students are required to participate in bi-weekly leadership workshops focused on honing their own leadership skills and understanding leadership in the context of social change.