Leadership Development

An Elon Leader exercises civic responsibility, taking action and engaging others to make a positive difference for the common good.

What is leadership development?
At Elon, we believe that all people benefit from developmental opportunities that improve their ability to lead. The Elon Center for Leadership prepares students to lead by realizing the nature, potential and responsibility of leadership in its attempt to create positive change for the common good. Leadership development is one of the ways students can fulfill the Experiential Learning Requirement.

What are the eligibility requirements?
Students may complete the ELR leadership requirement through completion of the Isabella Cannon Leadership Program or a leadership development workbook in conjunction with a specific leadership experience. Students who wish to fulfill the ELR via the workbook must contact the Center for Leadership the semester prior to the beginning of the leadership role.

Things that qualify as a leadership experience include: 

• Positional leadership roles, such as an elected officer of an organization
• Employment experiences that require leading others (ex: senior residence advisor)
• Athletic team captains

In order for an experience to qualify, the leader:

• Must direct the efforts of a group of people toward a common goal
• Must be responsible for group outcomes
• Must be engaged in relationships with group members such that influence is multi-directional
• Must promote civic engagement or service to the common good
• Must spend a minimum of 40 hours or more dedicated to the leadership role
• Must be supported by an advisor, coach or supervisor who can provide them with ongoing feedback and mentoring

What is the process?
Steps for completing the Leadership Development ELR are as follows:

• Meet with the director of leadership to review requirements for completion, obtain a Leadership Development Workbook and gain approval of your leadership role prior to assuming your leadership position
• Meet with your advisor, supervisor or mentor to discuss their role in the experience.
• Return the cover page, job description and learning objectives to the director of leadership prior to assuming your leadership position
• Begin leading
• Complete your mid-experience evaluation and contextual paper
• Continue leading
• Complete your final-experience evaluation and reflective analysis. Submit these, along with your time sheet, to the Center for Leadership
• Complete your exit interview
• Congratulations! The Leadership Development ELR has been fulfilled

How do I get more information?
The Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows Program
Organization Development
The Isabella Cannon Leadership Program
The Leadership Studies Minor