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Leadership Certificate

Undergraduate Certificate Program in Community Leadership and Public Service


Undergraduate Certificate Program in Community Leadership and Public Service

"We would expect that students exiting from this program would be attractive candidates to a variety of jobs in the public and private sectors." ~ Dean Michael Whiteford, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Overview:

This interdisciplinary certificate program utilizes courses offered in a variety of academic disciplines to provide a strong foundation and appropriate experiences for Iowa State University undergraduate students who plan to become community leaders and engage in public service-regardless of their profession-in the public, nonprofit or private sectors.

The program requires the completion of 21 credit hours through three, three-hour required courses in leadership, speech communication and public administration; a three-hour elective course in communication; six hours of elective courses in leadership; and a three-hour capstone through a course, internship or study abroad experience.

The certificate is awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Completion of the certificate is noted on the student's transcript and via a certificate provided by the Registrar.

Objectives:

  • Provide opportunities for students to learn about leadership and organizational theories, ethics and decision-making, principles of public service, effective communication, leadership practices in groups and organizations, and diversity issues.
  • Develop leadership skills-including written and oral communication, creative thinking, personal management, group and organizational effectiveness, and problem-solving-important to students' careers, communities and personal development.
  • Bring students into contact with faculty members from diverse academic departments, backgrounds and leadership experiences.
  • Prepare students to undertake leadership roles in their careers and in service to their community through course work and co-curricular activities.

Students completing the certificate will:

  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts of leadership theories and effective practices within groups and organizations and diverse communities.
  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts of organizational theories, ethics and principles of public service.
  • Demonstrate proficiencies in written and oral communication.
  • Demonstrate awareness of cultural values and diversity issues as they pertain to community leadership and public service.
  • Become engaged citizens through service to the university and larger community.

Participating Colleges, Departments and Divisions:

  • Agriculture-Agricultural Education and Studies
  • Business-Management
  • Design-Community and Regional Planning
  • Engineering-Agricultural Engineering, Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • Human Sciences-Apparel, Educational Studies and Hospitality Management and Human Development and Family Studies
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences-Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, English, Journalism and Mass Communication, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy and Administration, Sociology, Speech Communication and Women's Studies
  • Division of Student Affairs

The Community Leadership and Public Service Advisory Committee:

Students interested in the leadership certificate program will receive initial advisement by their college or departmental adviser. Members of the Community Leadership and Public Service Advisory Committee will also serve as advisers to students admitted into the program.

The committee consists of representatives from the Catt Center, Public Policy and Administration, Speech Communication and Student Affairs; faculty from other participating departments; and a student enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Current members of the committee are:

  • Dianne Bystrom & Julie Snyder-Yuly, Catt Center
  • Mack Shelley, Public Policy and Administration
  • Amy Slagell, Speech Communication
  • Jennifer Garrett & Adam Foley, Student Affairs
  • Tim Borich, Community and Regional Planning
  • Elizabeth Eimers, junior, Women's Studies

For more information, contact: Julie Snyder-Yuly, Assistant Director, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, 309 Catt Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011-1305; 515-294-3181; cattcnter@iastate.edu