Leadership Minor

Civic and Professional Leadership (CPL)

The minor provides a vehicle for students to engage in leadership study. The program offers intellectual learning communities where students from multiple disciplinary areas can identify and acquire an understanding of leadership theory and leadership skills. For centuries people believed leaders were born and not made and most often came from places of privilege and/or nobility. Today's theoretical understanding of leadership debunks this antiquated notion and sees everyone with leadership potential and leadership as a set of teachable theory and practice. Vocations from a wide an inclusive spectrum prize individuals who show willingness to knowledgeably step forward and demonstrate civic engagement.

The minor in Civic and Professional Leadership Studies, housed in the Honors College, welcomes all students on campus.

Any student may apply for the minor if they complete HON 110 or CPL 120 – Leadership Theories for Today’s Societies with a C+ or better.

*Students who served as Discussion Leaders [DL] for HON 110 can apply for a waiver;

Beyond HON 110 and/or CPL 120, to receive the minor, students need to complete:

A minimum of three HON seminars
A 300-level CPL seminar allowing students to directly focus leadership lessons within their academic majors

Advisement Sheet

Why Minor in CPL?

A Word from Professor Zachary Wooten about the International Leadership Association

This month I attended the International Leadership Association’s virtual conference. Representing more than 60 countries, the ILA is committed to advancing leadership knowledge and practice by creating a trusted space for leadership learning across boundaries and providing a trusted source of leadership resources. I am proud to say that this year I had the opportunity to work with the ILA to send two student volunteers from WCU to the conference. Jordan Avallone and Ronan McDermott represented WCU by serving as international student leadership volunteers, going through volunteer training with ILA staff and committing hours of their time to serving as virtual hosts at conference presentations from scholars around the world. Here’s what they had to say about the experience:

Ronan McDermott

a sophomore Secondary English Education Major with a Minor in Civic and Professional Leadership shared, “My experience as a room host for the International Leadership Association was enlightening and empowering. Volunteering for this organization allowed me to network within the circle of leadership studies and beyond, as well as learn a great amount about the current discussions within the leadership field."

Jordan Avallone

a first-year Pharmaceutical Product Development Major with plans to Minor in Civic and Professional Leadership, saw many connections between her experience at the conference and her leadership education at WCU. She told me, “I saw many connections from HON 352 such as servant leadership and leadership development amongst students…I also was heavily impacted by the openness and kindness of the presenters on most panels.”