Central Penn Infuses Leadership into Curriculum

Aug. 3, 2010 - PRLog -- With the addition of a new leadership component to Central Penn College’s curriculum, students will now have the opportunity to study the theoretical concepts of effective leadership, while gaining practical, hands-on experience. The new Craiger C. Parker Leadership Development Program (LDP), which began being offered to qualified students in the summer 2010 term, will help students become more employable. Their official transcripts and degrees will reflect the respective designation level completed: standard, advanced or honors.

“This is much more than a designation on a piece of paper,” said Academic Dean Kathy Andersen. “Central Penn has always focused on developing students into business and community leaders. The creation of this program takes that focus one step further and folds leadership into our program degree requirements. In terms of teaching the principles of effective leadership, Central Penn is closely tying academics with practicality and application. Not many leadership programs incorporate both teaching methods, while also giving the student credit on their transcript.”

The LDP is designed around Central Penn’s core values of integrity, professionalism, service, respect and educational focus. It is meant to develop, foster and recognize those students with the interest and desire to become leaders, motivating them to explore the nature of leadership and develop their personal leadership potential.

“Leadership is a behavior and a process,” said Professor of Criminal Justice Patrick Hughes, newly named LDP Coordinator. “In a world that cries out for great leadership, we will be constantly challenging students to strengthen their values, ethics and integrity – all of which are vital components of leadership.”

Extracurricular activities and leadership seminars, coupled with specific activities that demonstrate the application of what is learned in the classroom represents the hands-on portion of the curriculum. Students will be able to use what they learned in the LDP to serve in leadership roles on campus and in their chosen career field.

The program is open to qualified students pursuing a Central Penn degree. The standard designation consists of nine credits, the advanced designation consists of 12 and the honors designation consists of 24. Students who complete the honors level will choose either between completing a research-based honors project or a hands-on leadership project. For the honors project, students will research a leadership issue, which will benefit students preparing to enroll in graduate school. The leadership project challenges students to identify a change that needs to be made within an organization, and create and implement that change.

With a selective screening process, numerous students have expressed interest and applied for the program. Prerequisites include the maintenance of specific cumulative GPAs for the respective designation levels and an essay-based application. Based on a preliminary survey, enrollment numbers are expected to increase as more traditional, continuing education and online students apply.

Plans are in process for future development of the program, including connecting students with leadership mentors in the community, and working to have the LDP accredited by the International Leadership Association.

More than just using leadership as a “buzz word,” Central Penn will be instructing students in transformational and authentic leadership. Transformational leaders are valued in the sense that they are moral examples of working towards the benefit of the team, organization and/or community. Authentic leadership is a newer type of theory that creates valuable and positive change in individuals, with the end goal of developing followers into genuine, personal leaders.

Inspiration for the program came from Colonel Craiger C. Parker, dean emeritus of Central Penn, who served his country and the college with outstanding distinction, integrity and effectiveness. During his tenure at Central Penn, he initiated a new associate degree program, worked toward achieving college status and helped create a high quality living and learning environment. Parker’s vision of Central Penn becoming a bachelor’s degree granting institution was realized on December 18, 2000.

Visit http://www.centralpenn.edu/academics/ldp/ for more details.

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Central Pennsylvania College offers career-focused bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, online programs and certificate programs. Whether students want to hone their skills or earn a degree, Central Penn helps turn potential into career success.