Ohio University

In September 2007, a university-wide group made up of college deans, students, faculty, and administrative staff met to discuss the state of "leadership" at Ohio University. The group quickly determined that there was much to be done and that our university community has the ingredients to achieve prominence as an outstanding leadership institution. 

From this initial meeting, a Leadership Steering Committee was formed by the Division of Student Affairs. Similarly, this group comprised of faculty, staff, and students from every college and every major leadership program on campus, including the Air Force and Army ROTC programs. 

This group worked quickly to build upon Ohio University's Vision, making "leadership" a priority as part of the student-centered educational experience, focusing on both non-positional and positional leadership for students of all majors while also serving faculty and staff. Within months, this plan was supported by the creation of endowments and an annual budget provided by the Student Fee Committee and Student Senate. 

Today, the Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center serves over 3,000 students per year from every college with programs and operations of the center being a student-led initiative. 

Below, please find the Vision and Mission of the Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center as determined by the Leadership Steering Committee in 2008. 

Vision:

Ohio University will be nationally prominent in the study and practice of leadership excellence. All members of the University community are actively engaged in leadership development, guided by shared principles infused in curricular and co-curricular experiences available to all students. We will employ and graduate global citizens with the skills, knowledge and attributes to lead at local, national and international levels.

Mission:

We are a multifunctional, student-led leadership center which strives to serve as the heart of leadership activity for Ohio University and its students, faculty, staff, and constituents. 

We do this by:

• Working with our partners to complement our University's existing programs, classes, organizations, and resources
• Leading the way in campus-wide collaboration in developing and promoting new educational opportunities, research, and leadership activities 

Desired Outcomes (broad):

Skills:

1. communication skills
2. 1. listening
   2. showing empathy
   3. assertiveness

2. motivation skills
3. conflict resolution skills
4. inter/intra personal skills
5. critical thinking/conceptual skills
6. delegating
7. decision making

Knowledge:

Attributes:

a.       self-efficacy

b.      flexibility

c.       civic engagement