Our Philosphy of Leadership

Emory University’s Division of Campus Life seeks to develop ethical student leaders who value and affirm a commitment to civic engagement. This focus on transformational student learning and development—holistic well-being, ethical leadership, community service, and global citizenship—is achieved by providing students with an intentional “road map” to help guide their development. Additionally, leadership programs at Emory University play an essential role in this transformational process.

The Leadership Emory tenets are developmental themes of leadership, within which students will learn for the rest of their lives. As individuals continue to explore each theme in deeper, more meaningful ways, they will become stronger and more effective leaders. Although leadership learning is a life-long process, it is our hope that individuals will develop within each of the themes significantly while a student at Emory.

These tenets are titled:

• Insight: Awareness of Self and Empathy with Others
• Integrity: Ethical Leadership Principles and Practices
• Synergy: Collaboration and Problem Solving
• Purpose: Sharing the "Commitment to Action"
• Impact: Ethical Engagement and Citizenship

Leadership can be defined many ways, but at Emory, we

“. . . view the “leader” basically as a change agent, i.e., “one who fosters change.” Leaders, then, are not necessarily those who merely hold formal “leadership” positions; on the contrary, all people are potential leaders. Furthermore, since the concepts of “leadership” and “leader” imply that there are other people involved, leadership is, by definition, a collective or group process” (Leadership Reconsidered).

At Emory University in the Division of Campus Life, we believe the Social Change Model of Leadership Development encompasses the approach to leadership we seek to employ. This approach to leadership is built on several key assumptions:

• Leadership is concerned with effecting change on behalf of others and society.
• Leadership development is a life-long process, and leaders are lifelong learners
• Leadership is collaborative.
• Leadership is a process rather than a position.
• Leadership should be value-based.
• All students are potential leaders.
• Service is a powerful vehicle for developing students’ leadership skills. (Social Change Model of Leadership)