Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

Leadership Education Advancement Project

Purpose

LEAP is a one semester program offered by Lycoming College and the Office of Student Involvement. LEAP is designed to educate and prepare first-year/transfer students for positions of leadership. The program will offer students from a broad range of backgrounds an opportunity to further develop their leadership skills. The program supplements, and is in addition to, other leadership development opportunities/programs based on The Leadership Challenge

Students

Students apply during summer orientation to participate in the LEAP program. The program is limited to a maximum of 30 participants.

General Leap Description

LEAP uses an experiential learning format in which interactive techniques are utilized to explore issues and topics specific to the development of the first-year/ transfer student and emerging leaders. Topics include leadership styles, working with diverse populations, critical thinking skill development, and interpersonal communication among others.

Leap Requirements

Class Attendance - Attendance at every class period is expected. Students are allowed only two (2) unexcused absences from class. Students who miss more than two sessions will be asked to withdraw from the program. Classes are held each Thursday in the Fall semester from 3:15 to 4:30 pm in the Wertz Conference Room.

Reading Assignments - Reading Assignments will be required for each session. Readings will introduce and provide an overview of the topics of discussions and LEAP activities. Students are expected to have read all assignments prior to the class period. Reading Assignments will be distributed by the instructors.

College Activities - Activities scheduled both on and off campus are designed to enrich the student's learning experience by enabling them to interact in arenas in which they may not be accustomed. These activities expose students to a wide range of cultural, social, educational, recreational, and spiritual experiences. LEAP students must attend a minimum of five (5) college activities during the semester.

Journals - Journal writing is a valuable way to integrate LEAP sessions, college activities, and reading assignments. All LEAP students are expected to keep a journal. Journals will be collected at mid-terms and finals. Journal writing must cover:

  1. a reflection on each LEAP class (what did you learn about yourself, others, and the topic, how will session affect you as a leader).
  2. a reflection on reading assignments (what were the main themes of the readings, how can you use the information).
  3. a reflection on the college activities you attend for LEAP credit (what was the program like, what did you like/dislike about the program).
  4. any specific writing assigned by the instructors.

LEAP Topics and Learning Outcomes

The following topics are covered in the program. Upon the program's completion, students will learn an appreciation and basic understanding of each topic and be able to articulate both their concepts and also be able to make connections to their co-curricular and leadership involvement on campus.

Topics include but are not limited to:

  • The Student Leadership Challenge and the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership
  • Communication Skills
  • Group Dynamics
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Identifying and Reliving Stress
  • Myers-Briggs Type Inventory
  • Leadership Styles
  • Inspiring and Motivating Others
  • Diversity, Cultural, and Spiritual Awareness and appreciation of differences
  • Consensus Decision Making