Guiding Principles and Leadership Model
Leadership Philosophy
At ֱ State, we aspire to create critical learners, innovators, and adaptive problem solvers whose leadership exemplifies distinction. We support students in strengthening their leadership capacity, confidence, and effectiveness through our interdisciplinary, university-wide leadership program grounded in strategic partnerships and high-impact learning experiences.
- WHY WE DO IT: We believe every ֱ State student has the potential to lead. Guided by our values and a commitment to student growth, we foster a high-quality environment for learning, developing, and practicing leadership in action.
- WHAT WE DO: Students will explore their leadership strengths, learn to lead effectively across varied groups and contexts, and creatively express their individual leadership approaches.
- HOW WE DO IT: Students actively participate in a comprehensive leadership program based on our ֱ State University Leadership Development Model supported by strategic partnerships and high-impact practices.
Leadership Credo
ֱ State University believes that every student has the potential to lead. Through co-curricular experiences and community partnerships, we support students in developing the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to lead with purpose and impact.
- WE BELIEVE LEADERSHIP: Is value-driven, collaborative process that contributes to meaningful progress; Is teachable and can be learned; Can be practiced by anyone, regardless of formal position or role
- WE BELIEVE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN LEADERSHIP: Demonstrate strong self-awareness and are guided by a clear sense of purpose and core values; Act with integrity and serve as ethical role models; Value and actively engage a range of experiences and ideas; Leverage personal and shared values to accomplish meaningful goals; Understand a variety of leadership approaches and effectively apply skills in real-world settings; Are committed to collaborating with others to contribute to positive and lasting impact
Intrapersonal
Self-Awareness
- Critical self-reflection: The process of becoming aware of one’s own perspectives, assumptions, and thought patterns that inform how an individual makes meaning of experiences
- Purpose: Discovering one’s ”why” and fulfilling that calling through clear personal and vocational goals
- Personal values: Deepening one’s understanding of the personal values that guide behavior and motivate an individual to take action, and acting in alignment with those values
- Leadership foundations: Understanding theories about leadership, articulating a personal leadership style, and incorporating leadership knowledge and skills into organizational and co-curricular experiences
Personal Action
- Personal Responsibility: Taking ownership of personal behaviors, and demonstrating a willingness and ability to initiate action
- Responding to Change: Exercising adaptability, optimism, and the ability to respond productively to uncertainty
- Receiving and Providing Feedback: developing strategies to offer critiques and advice; valuing constructive feedback to develop individual capacities and effectiveness
- Functioning Independently: Exercising independence and autonomy when completing tasks
- Commitment: Demonstrating a dependable, trustworthy character and exercising persistence and commitment in the face of adversity
Learning and Reasoning
- Reflection and Application: Establishing a continuous commitment to learning, reflection, integration, and application
- Innovation: Generating new ideas and solutions to address complex problems in an ever-evolving landscape
- Problem Solving: Understanding how to identify and examine a problem, develop and assess possible solutions, and select the most appropriate solution
- Decision Making: Understanding the factors influencing a decision and incorporating multiple perspectives into the decision-making process
- Critical Thinking: Engaging in rigorous critique with an open mind; analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information, systems, assumptions, and points of view
Interpersonal
Group Dynamics:
- Group Development: Understanding the culture, norms, practices, and behaviors specific to an organization, and implementing strategies to assist groups in developing a sense of shared purpose, commitment, trust, and effectiveness
- Communication: Understanding strategies to effectively and persuasively communicate verbally and non-verbally with others
- Conflict Management: Engaging difference through respectful dialogue and a commitment to hearing other’s perspectives; developing strategies to effectively manage disagreements, balancing the needs and interests of all involved, and finding common ground
- Commitment to the Growth of People: Exemplifying a commitment to the growth of each person in a group or organization; sharing knowledge, abilities, and experiences to help develop the capacities of others in an effort to maintain the productivity and legacy of an organization
- Interdependence: Valuing the relational aspects of leadership resulting in an awareness of the interconnectedness with others
Understanding and Collaboration:
- Critical Awareness: Recognizing that individuals bring unique values, communication styles and life experiences that shape how they contribute
- Collaboration: Implementing strategies to achieve a common objective through the sharing of ideas and distribution of responsibilities across group members
- Mutual Respect: Fostering a culture of civility and appreciation by honoring the contributions, ideas, and experiences of others
- Perspective-Taking: Considering a range of viewpoints and experiences to improve decision-making, group cohesion, and effectiveness
Community
Civic Responsibility
- Social Responsibility: Recognizing one’s responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others and demonstrating a commitment to service through participation in experiences that support community improvement and shared goals
- Global Citizenship: Understanding the role of individual and collective responsibility in a connected world, and contributing to efforts that promote cooperation, ethical leadership, and civic well-being
Ethical Community Engagement
- Leadership Impact: Acknowledging that leadership decisions may have varied impacts and approaching community work with thoughtfulness, fairness, and a learning mindset
- Civic Initiative: Demonstrating the motivation and commitment to address community needs, contribute to shared solutions, and lead with integrity within one’s sphere of influence
- Resilient Leadership: Exercising hope, resilience, and persistence in the face of challenges to promote positive change and strengthen communities
Change (as the Hub): Applying leadership strategies to navigate and influence positive outcomes across individual, group, organizational, and community contexts. It is through intentional reflection, collaboration, and action that leaders contribute to meaningful progress.