Graceland’s Unique Second Major for Everyone
Graceland University was founded in 1895 as a learning community where students from all walks of life could develop their potential for meaningful and productive lives.
For over 125 years, Graceland has walked with its students as they become leaders in the world, and we don't intend to stop.
Graceland students who graduate with a 4-year degree enter the world with at least two distinct majors – one or more majors in the discipline of their choice and a major in transformational leadership. Through our transformational leadership education, students will learn how to make a lasting and positive impact on not only their career but their community as well.
Transformational leaders know how to inspire their peers, motivate people, and encourage their equals to foster and support meaningful change. With transformational leadership education under our student's belts, we are sending engaged thought leaders out into the world who are empowered to innovate and help shape their career success and the success of the companies they choose to work for.
The world needs more transformational leaders – dynamic, empathetic, and collaborative problem solvers – so Graceland reimagined its liberal arts general education program and added new modules that are specifically aimed at preparing our graduates to succeed. These courses set Graceland students on a path to success by providing foundational education and experience that will propel them into future careers that have not yet been imagined.
The Transformational Leadership major consists of three distinct but interrelated
content groupings: general education, life and leadership, and strategic skills.
Includes the core learning unique to a liberal arts education. These courses will help develop and hone verbal and written communication skills and how to analyze and solve complex problems — all while tying into a broad educational experience in the arts and sciences preparing the graduate for their first career and the one after that.
Encompassing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, these experiences are designed to help students discover and develop their individual leadership potential.
Year 1 Self Leadership
Year 2 Group Leadership
Year 3 Organizational Leadership
Year 4 Leadership Practicum/Capstone
What we jokingly call “how to be an adult,” these are the key life skills that graduates need to survive and thrive in the interconnected world of the 21st century.
A minor in Transformational Leadership consists of 17 semester hours as follows:
Organizational Leadership I applies leadership skills beyond individuals and groups to the organizational level. Students will explore social intelligence, conflict management and resolution, bias assessment, information collection, and evidence assessment. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in organizational leadership.
Organizational Leadership II further expands leadership skills beyond individuals and groups in the organizational level. Students will further develop social intelligence, conflict management and resolution, bias assessment, information collection, and evidence assessment. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in organizational leadership.
Life and Leadership Practicum I is a transition course for seniors. Students will conclude and reflect upon skills/tools from leadership of self, groups, and organizations while introducing skills necessary for success and meaning beyond Graceland University. Students will explore change management, psychological resiliency, and financial education. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will evaluate their own ability to apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in a leadership role at Graceland.
Life and Leadership Practicum II is the capstone to the LEAD series at Graceland University. Students will apply and share with the university their holistic development as a student over their time at Graceland University including their development both inside and outside the classroom to build confidence in the leadership skills they have developed for their futures. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will evaluate their own ability to apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in current and future leadership roles.
An introduction to the concepts of responsible activity and practices in the digital world, important software tools, and understanding the use of data and data analytics in the digital economy. The course teaches students relevant skills necessary to analyze data, prepare visualizations of data, and engage in the digital economy.
Introduces students to foundational concepts in health and wellness as well as practices that promote life-long wholeness, including physical and mental health risk assessment and mitigation.
Provides students an introductory foundation in social responsibility and ethics in the context of moral, social, and environmental issues. Students will be given the opportunity to understand how personal views, choices, privileges, and behaviors impact their communities and those of other individuals. Students will learn to engage in compassionate and constructive dialogue about diverse perspectives.
Organizational Leadership I applies leadership skills beyond individuals and groups to the organizational level. Students will explore social intelligence, conflict management and resolution, bias assessment, information collection, and evidence assessment. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in organizational leadership.
Organizational Leadership II further expands leadership skills beyond individuals and groups in the organizational level. Students will further develop social intelligence, conflict management and resolution, bias assessment, information collection, and evidence assessment. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in organizational leadership.
Life and Leadership Practicum I is a transition course for seniors. Students will conclude and reflect upon skills/tools from leadership of self, groups, and organizations while introducing skills necessary for success and meaning beyond Graceland University. Students will explore change management, psychological resiliency, and financial education. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will evaluate their own ability to apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in a leadership role at Graceland.
Life and Leadership Practicum II is the capstone to the LEAD series at Graceland University. Students will apply and share with the university their holistic development as a student over their time at Graceland University including their development both inside and outside the classroom to build confidence in the leadership skills they have developed for their futures. Students will enroll in, complete, and reflect upon one of the SkillPath Leadership Academy courses. Students will evaluate their own ability to apply Higher-order Thinking, Character, Social Responsibility, Holistic Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship in current and future leadership roles.
An introduction to the concepts of responsible activity and practices in the digital world, important software tools, and understanding the use of data and data analytics in the digital economy. The course teaches students relevant skills necessary to analyze data, prepare visualizations of data, and engage in the digital economy.
Introduces students to foundational concepts in health and wellness as well as practices that promote life-long wholeness, including physical and mental health risk assessment and mitigation.
Provides students an introductory foundation in social responsibility and ethics in the context of moral, social, and environmental issues. Students will be given the opportunity to understand how personal views, choices, privileges, and behaviors impact their communities and those of other individuals. Students will learn to engage in compassionate and constructive dialogue about diverse perspectives.
Graceland students can gain leadership experience as soon as they arrive on campus. Through this unique program, the University provides students with practical skills designed to give them the tools they need to be successful adults and leaders in their careers and communities.
Transformational leaders collaborate closely with others to identify areas where change is needed and support their peers in making the necessary changes. Graceland classes, activities, and student life emphasize collaboration and belonging within a caring community where students learn and grow.
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