Developing Leaders, Changing Lives
Purpose and Mission
The Center for Responsible Leadership provides innovative
co-curricular programming and service opportunities for all students in
support of Alma College's mission to prepare graduates who think
critically, serve generously, lead purposefully and live responsibly as
stewards of the world they bequeath to future generations.
Leadership at Alma College
Leadership opportunities are central to the Alma College experience.
On the field, through the Greek system, in the classroom, within
student organizations and through participation in service learning,
Alma College students hone their leadership skills. The Center for
Responsible Leadership enhances these existing opportunities and
creates new possibilities so that all Alma students may develop the
knowledge, skills and commitments critical for future global leaders.
Six Foundational Assumptions
- All Alma College students have the potential to be leaders in various contexts during their lives.
- The Center enriches the core curriculum experiences of students and supports leadership development within academic disciplines.
- Leadership requires knowledge and skills that can be learned through innovative programs.
- Personal attitudes are as important as an individual's knowledge and skills.
- Leadership requires adapting to and enabling change.
- Leadership requires living responsibly, leading purposefully, and serving generously for the common good.
Supporting Leadership Development at Alma College
The Center for Responsible Leadership provides a network of opportunities available to all students. These opportunities include:
- The Robert D. Swanson Responsible Leadership Speaker Series (nominations welcome)
- Presidential Forums (book discussions)
- CRL Seminars and Workshops
- A Campus-Wide Leadership Certificate Program in 2007/2008
- Leadership Project Support for Faculty, Staff and Students
- Faith-Based Leadership Opportunities
- Service Learning Classes and Community Service Opportunities
- Alternative Break Service Experiences
Leadership Fellows' Program
The Center for Responsible Leadership Fellows' Program offers
students exceptional opportunities for in-depth leadership training and
development. Students apply for the program in January of each year.
Up to 40 new Fellows will be selected to join the program each
February. The first class of Leadership Fellows completed
their LeaderShape Institute at Ghost Ranch and will be participating in
the first Global Leadership Institute at Wroxton College in England in
August of 2007.
Each Leadership Fellow will engage in the following:
- The LeaderShape Institute, the Global Leadership Institute or an alternative international leadership experience, Michigan Forums and the Dow Chemical High School Leadership Institute
- Guest speaker sessions and workshops on contemporary leadership issues as well as multiple Fellows' gatherings offered each semester
- Leadership Externships
- Student projects created and offered by Fellows in support of the Leadership Certificate and/or other Alma College campus programs
Successful completion of the Leadership Fellows' Program results in
the designation of Center for Responsible Leadership Fellow on the
student's graduation transcript.
The Dow Chemical Company High School Leadership Institute
The Dow Chemical Company High School Leadership Institute gives high school juniors (rising seniors) an opportunity to gain a taste of college life and to begin to develop leadership capabilities. Held on campus, the Dow Chemical Company High School Leadership Institute provides an intensive immersion into the study and practice of leadership. Through workshops, case analysis and recreation, students build confidence and abilities during the summer residential Institute that begins in summer 2007.
See the Center for Responsible Leadership section of the Alma website for more information
