Learning to Lead
by John Buck, Assistant Dean of Students

As students begin the formal pursuit of their degrees at Webster, it is also important to begin developing the leadership skills necessary to thrive in a workforce that becomes more diverse and globally-oriented everyday. For the past nine years, WebsterLEADS has provided opportunities to combine the study of leadership with practical leadership experience, which empowers our students and helps them excel as global citizens. Our mission includes the following goals:

• Recognizing and expanding upon the skills and gifts students possess;
• Creating environments that foster personal reflection, significant relationships, diverse points of view, and student learning;
• Providing opportunities for students to develop and apply their own philosophy and approach to leadership;
• Expecting students to serve as role models and educators within the Webster University community worldwide.

WebsterLEADS provides a self-paced, co-curricular, multiple-component leadership education experience that students complete with the guidance of leadership advisors and veteran WebsterLEADS participants. Each participant’s involvement culminates with receiving the Leadership Certificate, which is awarded when students complete the entire curriculum. The Certificate is achieved by completing a combination of these five components of the program:

• A three-credit course on Leadership Development
• Attending a leadership development retreat
• Participating in a series of hour-long workshops
• A practical experience, such as being an orientation leader, resident assistant, or other prominent leadership role on campus
• 30 hours of community service over a two-year period

Achieving the certificate requires completion of a process we call the “5+2 System,” in which participants complete five program areas listed in detail above, and repeat any two of them. The additional “+2” experiences could be a combination of participation in a second leadership retreat, completing additional community service involvement, participating in another practical experience, attending another series of workshops, or attending off-campus leadership conferences.

The WebsterLEADS office is located in Loretto Hall, room 110 (x7537, lead@webster.edu). Encourage your student to begin the journey of learning about the world of leadership!

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