USC Marshall

Leadership skills are critical yet undeveloped or unmet in contemporary organizations, despite the rating by employers of leadership as pivotal for future employees graduating from U.S. institutions of higher education. In a strategic, targeted effort to address this gap, a private 4-year research and teaching university located in California, United States, developed an applied leadership program experience for its first-year business students. The overarching program objective were to build the confidence, character and courage of student to lead more successfully across multiple domains (academic, personal and professional). Two components of the program include Strengths-based leadership and Value-based leadership. The first program cohort was successfully launched in spring 2018 (January – May 2018) with 63 participants, who engaged in seminars and experiential activities to increase their effectiveness as leaders by building on strengths, practicing leadership skills, and getting coaching and feedback from trained faculty and peer mentors. Evaluation results of the Program were highly positive, showing growth in self-reported knowledge, skill and confidence in understanding and application of leadership strengths and values. This study provides an overview of the Program goals, learning objectives, components, marketing and recruitment, and findings which support student leadership development in preparing future leaders for the 21 st century and beyond.