The leadership studies minor was not one I thought I would be studying when entering my freshman year of college. I thought my minors would be something related to business, which still remains true, but I have added the asset of being a leadership studies minor as well to my degree. This minor has brought many benefits to my future career as well as has helped with working in group settings in my different classes and organizations that I am involved with on campus.
The leadership studies minor is a 17-18 credit hour minor with 4 required courses and 2 elective courses to select from a wide variety of options. It typically takes 3-4 semesters to complete but you can take it at your own pace. The minor is open to all undergraduate students in any field with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
The minor goes into depth into areas of social psychology, philosophy, organizational development and administration, communication, and educational theory. It helps enhance our understanding of social and organizational processes that influence effective leadership across diverse contexts. It is a great opportunity to learn more about leadership development and apply it to our everyday lives.
Alex, an undergraduate student with a leadership minor, shares his favorite course in the minor and why:
“My favorite class in the Leadership Minor is SE 361: Emotional Intelligence Skills. The course is taught by our ILC director, Gayle Spencer, who is the perfect professor for the class. In SE 361, students learn about the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and the role it plays in leadership, businesses, and society. EQ can be improved through effort and learning, which is exactly what the course is centered upon. Students read excerpts from leading scholars on emotional intelligence and communication skills. This course is perfect for students hoping to learn more about themselves and strive to reach their future goals and aspirations.”
Becca, another undergraduate student with a leadership studies minor, shares her favorite leadership studies course and why:
“My favorite LEAD Class is LEAD 340: Ethical Leadership taught by Dr. Jasmine Collins. 340 is my favorite LEAD class because we learn the different ways that ethical leaders, or the lack thereof, can affect society. We also take what we are learning and apply it to real-life scenarios and events that have happened, which makes the material easier to connect with.”
Some of my personal favorite experiences I have with the minor was with the introductory course, LEAD 260. LEAD 260 was one of my favorites courses I have taken at the University of Illinois. The professor also was one of the best professors I have ever had. The class was both fun and interactive, even though it was at 9 am. I always enjoyed going to it and had a great experience with the course. I would recommend anyone to take this course if possible!
Here are some easy steps to follow to sign up for the minor today: In order to be eligible for the Leadership Minor you will need:
- Minimum of 30 credit hours completed
- Possess a U of I GPA
- Be in good academic standing
To enroll in the minor you will need to complete the online Minor Add Form for the College of ACES. Pending approval, your form will be sent to the appropriate college for inclusion on your academic record. If you have questions about the Leadership Minor or how to enroll, please contact Dr. Jenn Smist jsmist@illinois.edu, the Coordinator of the Leadership Studies Minor. Click this link to learn more information too: https://alec.illinois.edu/leadership-minor
The leadership studies minor has been so beneficial throughout my time in college and for preparation for future careers. I would recommend and encourage everyone to look into all the information and apply today!
