Mentoring Leaders for a Changing World
Purpose and Mission
The Center for Responsible Leadership helps Alma College students develop personal leadership skills and apply them to campus, community, state, national and international issues and opportunities.
The CRL supports 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 Guiding Principles
- All Alma College students have the potential to be leaders in various contexts during their lives.
- The Center for Responsible Leadership enriches the academic experiences of students by supporting their personal leadership development.
- Leading well requires knowledge and skills best gained through direct involvement with real communities, leaders and issues.
- The nurturing of ethical values is as important to leadership development as acquiring knowledge and skills.
- Leading well requires adapting to and enabling change as well as taking action for the long-term well being of one's workplace and community.
- Leading responsibly means thinking critically, leading purposefully, and serving generously for the common good.
Leadership Program Outcomes
- The ability to lead change responsibly for the common good.
- The ability to make decisions that are in the long term interest of organizations and people.
- The ability to initiate and manage positive and sustainable change.
- A commitment to an ethical purpose that transcends self.
Leadership Development Program
The Center for Responsible Leadership provides a network of opportunities available to all students. These are organized into three components:
The Leadership Academy: Learning about leadership
The Leadership and Service Corps: Participating in leadership opportunities
Leadership Projects and Initiatives: Responding to issues and opportunities
Examples of the opportunities available to the campus community include:
- Personal Leadership Development Institutes
- The Robert D. Swanson Responsible Leadership Speaker Series (nominations welcome)
- Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows' Program
- Leadership Seminars and Workshops offered by CRL Fellows, Alma College Staff and Guests
- Alternative Break Service Experiences
Supporting the Efforts of Alma College
- Special Chapel programming
- Leadership training support for student organizations
- Academic Service Learning Program
- AmeriCorp*Vista Volunteer Coordinator
- Project support for faculty, staff and students
- Grant development consultations for faculty and students in aligned programs
The High School Leadership Insitute
The Alma College's High School Leadership Institute , sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company, provides high school juniors an opportunity to enhance their leadership capabilities. Held on campus, the High School Leadership Institute provides an immersion into the study and practice of leadership. Through workshops, case analysis and recreation, students build confidence and abilities during the summer residential Institute.
The Center for Responsible Leadership is funded with special gifts and grants.
