UE announced today that it would fund four professors to develop a leadership pathway program. The pathway concept identifies three linked courses that students can take in an area that crosscuts conventional departmental lines and is widely recognized as important to society. The pathway concept also includes the requirement that students participate in a related co-curricular activity.

The call for proposals requested proposals on leadership, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, or the creative process.

The funded leadership pathway was proposed by Professors Roger Conway (School of Business Administration), Ronald O. Loveridge (Department of Political Science), Thomas Sy (Department of Psychology), and Elaine Wong (School of Business Administration). The proposal was reviewed by members of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers. In their letter, the Academy characterized the proposal as "extremely thoughtful" and as drawing on "a roster of outstanding teachers."

UE has award the leadership pathway $24,000 to bring in outside speakers, to host dinners, to provide opportunities for students to assess their leadership strengths and potential, and to provide supplies for group projects. The leadership pathway is funded for two years, academic years 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Courses offered in the leadership pathway will include: (1) Foundations of Leadership, (2) Leadership Discovery, and (3) Leadership Laboratory. Students who complete the leadership pathway will be recognized in a spring ceremony as Chancellor's Leadership Fellows.

Students who are interested in participating in the leadership pathway program should contact Madina Brammer. Interested students should indicate their names, majors, GPAs, and email addresses.

Students will be admitted to the leadership pathway by application. Online applications will be available in June. A Scotmail notice will be sent to all students when applications are available online.