Cynthia H. Tyson Leadership Series

The Cynthia Haldenby Tyson Student Leadership Series is a four-phase comprehensive program that provides a strong foundation in leadership theory and history which is built on through practical experiences. This program will prepare students to be actively engaged community leaders and global citizens.

Series Objectives:

to learn fundamental leadership theories
to develop leadership skills through self-reflection, theory application, and experiential experiences
to learn the basic concepts of service learning
to develop an understanding of citizenship and civic engagement
to learn how to successfully market leadership skills and experiences

Individual Phases:
Phase 1
Women Involved & Seeking Excellence (WISE) (1st year - spring)
Building on the knowledge and skills gained through MBC 101, WISE focuses on a more traditional leadership training concept. Students participate in workshops which cover broad leadership topics and begin to learn about themselves and how they might utilize their talents to contribute to their community.

Political Science 230 History and Theories of Leadership (2nd year – fall)
Students explore the origins of the study of leadership and analyze and apply several leadership theories. They examine a range of leadership styles and investigate differences among leaders that might be attributed to gender. Leadership is placed in cultural and historical contexts, and students become familiar with outstanding women and men and are able to analyze their lives using basic leadership principles and theories.

Phase 2
Leaders In Action (2nd year – spring)
Leaders In Action offers students the opportunity to apply their leadership skills and introduces students to the concept of service learning. They begin this phase by participating in a retreat where topics related to leadership and service learning are explored. Students then develop a leadership project, which they complete over the course of the academic year. Through this project students begin to apply their leadership abilities and contribute to their community.

Interdisciplinary Studies 140 Community and Service Learning (3rd year – fall)
Students engaged in the Community and Service Learning course meet community needs while developing skills in critical thinking and problem solving. Students reflect on the relationship between theory and practice. Each student is expected to explore and understand her own commitment to community-oriented values, try out skills that support or enhance citizenship, and learn how to reach out to those in need in a humane, sensitive, and effective manner. This combined course and internship includes hands-on experience in an approved community agency or religious or humanitarian organization, as well as a structured orientation, ongoing class discussion, critical reading, and written reflection about service work.

Phase 3
Practical Leadership Experience (elected 3rd year spring – serve 4th year)
Students must serve in a student leader position for one academic year. A student leadership position is defined by a position that is elected, appointed, or hired, and is intentionally focused on bettering the campus through service to students and community.

Phase 4
CHT Marketing Program (4th year – fall)
Through the CHT Marketing Program, students focus on marketing themselves to prospective employers and graduate schools by articulating the leadership skills and experience they have gained. They explore opportunities for the on-going development, enhancement, and application of their leadership skills.