In the process of writing a guest post for Steve Roesler at All Things Workplace, I have been connecting with graduates of Mountain State's leadership programs to talk with them about how they have integrated their leadership learning into real life.
Without exception, all of the students I've talked with have been enthusiastic about their experiences at MSU. Here at Mountain State, students begin their studies as part of a cohort group. Throughout their participation in the program, these cohorts work and study together. Many spend time outside of class together, over a casual dinner or a late night cup of coffee.
One advantage of the cohort structure is that it brings together people from diverse backgrounds. Patricia Larkin, who completed the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership in 2007, enjoyed interacting with the members of her cohort which included a deputy chief, a police lieutenant, a social worker, some recent college graduates, and two international students. Often, they engaged in a passionate exchange of ideas. From disparate views on some issues, they found common ground and melded together as a team.
Trish shared an amazing example with me about how how her classroom experience included real life leadership exercises. One of her class projects involved assisting two cohort members, the deputy chief and police lieutenant, in crafting their organization's values and mission statement. The work they completed is still used in the department today.
Trish, who hopes to continue her education by completing Mountain State's new doctorate, lives and works near Pittsburgh, PA. She is fueled in her job at the sales department at FedEx by an important lesson that she learned during her studies:
Leadership is not based on title. It is about what you do every day. Your actions prove your character as a leader.
Mountain State's programs prepare people to lead others, in formal and informal ways. Character development is a key component of what we do. Trish is one of many students who have experienced that first hand.
Be sure to visit All Things Workplace later this week to read both my guest post and Steve Roesler's interview of Mountain State's president, Dr. Charles Polk.
by Rebecca Robinson
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