A group of twenty-five first-year students gather in a classroom early on a beautiful spring Saturday morning to take a rigorous course. It’s not required and no credit is issued. “There’s no course credit, but it’s an honor to be selected for participation in these courses,” according to Kaitlyn Rentz. “I don’t know of another college with a program like this. I leave the classes inspired for the week.“
Leadership development, effective communication, enhanced self-esteem, clarified values, and improved interpersonal skills -- these are a few of the desires of the students participating in the Pierce Pioneer Leaders leadership program. Aside from a carefully developed four-year curriculum, the program provides students with an opportunity to attend a leadership conference, gain certification as a peer educator, and address a real community issue through a capstone senior project.
“Right away, I was hooked, “ said Rentz, a first-year student in the program. “In class, we discuss the concepts from the assigned readings within the context of our own experiences. I think most students assume leadership is a natural talent – something you’re either born with or you’re not. But through this program, we focus on how to develop a leadership style that draws on our individual strengths and values the strengths of others. We all have our own natural way of leading, but leading is a skill.”
The Pierce Pioneer Leaders Program was designed to develop educated leaders who are ethical, effective, and enduring. It is just one example of Wesleyan’s commitment to a strong co-curricular program that focuses on student leadership. To ensure a balance of leadership theory and skill-building, students are exposed to a comprehensive curriculum and also benefit from a series of leadership opportunities. The combination prepares students to assume leadership roles that will lead to successful personal relationships, campus commitments, professional preparation, and citizenship.
“We feel strongly about an intentional course of leadership study,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Patty Gibbs. “Wesleyan attracts students who are determined to effect change in the world and we have a responsibility to prepare them to assume major leadership roles. The drive and desire to lead is intuitive for many of our students. When we pair that natural ability with formal leadership preparation, the result will benefit our campus community, strengthen the effectiveness of student clubs and organizations, increase classroom engagement and discussion, and prepare students for greater post-graduate success.”
First-year Pioneer Leaders are exposed to the various ways that leaders emerge and contribute within a given organization or community. Program participants at this level are equipped with the fundamentals of leadership theory, models, and concepts. First-year students meet six times each year and study a wide variety of texts including: Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by Peter Maxwell, The Tao of Leadership by John Heider, Jesus CEO by Laurie Beth Jones, Emotionally Intelligent Leadership by Marcy L. Shankman and Scott J. Allen, and On Leadership by John W. Gardner.
Curriculum for sophomore students is designed to increase self-awareness of leadership abilities and to teach participants how to apply these abilities in practical ways. Content focuses on improving participants’ presentation skills with specific modules that address effective communication, delegating responsibilities, facilitating meetings, strategic planning, and inspiring and empowering others. Interactive exercises help students understand concepts and applications. Also, journaling is required of sophomore students to increase self-awareness plus identify strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement.
Curriculum for junior students is designed to improve mentoring skills and to prepare participants for effective role modeling. Students gain the tools needed to assess problems, expand on ideas, and share solutions. Participants at this level enter the Certified Peer Educator Training Program, a comprehensive, interactive, skills-based training designed to develop effective student leaders. Participants also are introduced to The BACCHUS Network, a national university-community collaborative resource. This non-profit organization’s mission is to develop leaders who effectively advance safe lifestyle decisions concerning alcohol abuse, tobacco use, illegal drug use, unhealthy sexual practices, and other high-risk behaviors.
At the senior level, students engage in experiential opportunities and leadership projects designed to enhance their leadership skills and prepare them for leadership roles beyond campus. Equipped with a variety of leadership concepts, students put knowledge into action through a Senior Leadership Project.
“Students must conduct an environmental scan to determine a critical issue or need within our Wesleyan campus community or the greater Macon community,” said Gibbs. “They must create a detailed analysis of the issue and an action plan. They not only put the plan into action but also measure the results through tools such as surveys and polls.”
To gain acceptance into the Pierce Pioneer Leaders Program, first-year and sophomore students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member and invited to apply. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, and have an expressed interest in community engagement. Pierce Scholars are automatically enrolled into the program.
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