We Encourage Leadership Enhancement and Development

WE LEAD is a comprehensive leadership educational, training and development program at Western Carolina University. The program provides students with a variety of ways to develop and enhance their leadership skills and understanding of the leadership perspective through the use of both experiential opportunities and academic courses founded on liberal studies learning outcomes. Using the Social Change Model of Leadership Development as its philosophical framework, WE LEAD is founded on the belief that leadership is a process that involves everyone. We all have the capacity to lead. Leadership is an outgrowth of generosity of spirit, a mindset that applies ideas and abilities of individuals and groups to create social change for the betterment of others.

WE LEAD offers diverse programming including event advising, retreat planning, advisor training, officer transition, theory, group dynamics and workshops tailored to specific needs or requests. In addition to leadership programs, more than 100 student organizations serve as leadership laboratories allowing students to enhance and develop their leadership skills. In addition Western Carolina University sponsors an Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society Circle.

WE LEAD works in collaboration with Academic Affairs and currently has 25 leadership courses found in the Human Resources Department of the College of Education. As part of a combined academic (curricular) and co-curricular experience for Freshman students WE LEAD sponsor the Freshman Leadership Institute a one year living –learning community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge of, and campus opportunities in leadership.

WE LEAD works to validate the student’s progress in leadership, co-curricular and extra curricular and experiential learning during their years here at Western Carolina University in two ways. We offer a four layer Leadership Certificate program and an on-going co-curricular transcript program.