Pillars

Students in the Leadership Academy will hone abilities by engaging in a minimum of three learning opportunities for each of the five pillars listed below (15 overall).

ETHICAL

Leaders espouse humility, honesty, and ethical practices. They are committed to civic engagement and dedicated service to others. Leaders have strong morals and put their integrity ahead of personal or professional gains.

Example activity: Volunteer with other engineering students at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

PURPOSEFUL

Leaders are flexible life-long learners who attack each day with purpose. They are introspective and aware of personal strengths, weaknesses, beliefs, and biases. Leaders’ honest self-understanding allows them to make meaningful life and career decisions.

Example activity: Discover your individual strengths and learn how to leverage them in teams taking the Clifton Top Five Strengths Assessment and attending an accompanying workshop.

PROFESSIONAL

Leaders are polished individuals. They present strong personal brands, maximize networking opportunities, and positively influence others. Leaders exhibit tact and business savvy to skillfully navigate personal and organizational dynamics.

Example activity: Attend Grow to Pro is the Leadership Academy’s annual mock interview event, where students practice and learn valuable interviewing and networking skills that will help them in navigating future professional situations.

INCLUSIVE

Leaders are globally prepared individuals who value difference. They seek out diverse team members and ensure inclusive environments where the convergence of cultures and ideas drive innovation. Leaders work for positive change by recognizing and addressing privilege, oppression, and systems of inequality in the world.

Example activity: Participate in “Engineering for Social Justice,” a workshop that sheds light on the inherent historical inequities in the engineering field, and how engineers can create tangible solutions through their expertise, that promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

COLLABORATIVE

Leaders articulate compelling vision and inspire others. They draw from many perspectives on leadership to guide their practice, using exceptional communication skills, humor, and emotional

intelligence to resolve conflicts and build relationships. Leaders understand group dynamics, team-building, how to empower others, and solve complex problems.

Example activity: Improve your communication skills in the workshop, “Talk Less, Listen More” which focuses on active listening.