Students at Washburn University who minor in leadership learn skills to help them lead others and make a difference in their communities. Leadership classes focus on self-discovery, ethics and real-world experiences, helping students become more confident and understand their values better.

“The purpose of a leadership minor is to help students prepare for real-world leadership and make positive changes in their communities,” said Taylor Romanchek, senior mass media major. “We study leadership theories, look at case studies, like the Mount Everest case study, and apply what we learn through internships and projects that help the community.”

Cameron Meske, senior mathematics education major, explained how leadership classes build on each other.

“Leadership 100 helps students explore different leadership styles and figure out their own,” Meske said. “One big project is the Personal Leadership Puzzle , which helps students understand how they affect others. Leadership 200 focuses on ethics and how leadership decisions impact people. We discuss ideas like the greater good and the effects of our choices on different groups.”

Kate Coulter, sophomore communication studies major, who is taking leadership studies as her minor, found leadership classes to be a journey of self-discovery. 

“Ethical Leadership made me think about my own values and how they shape my decisions,” Coulter said. “Intro to Leadership helped me understand who I am as a leader and what I believe in. These classes teach you a lot about yourself, which is really important.”

The leadership minor impacts students beyond the classroom. 

“For me, studying leadership has helped me become more confident and clear about my values,” Romanchek said. “It made me think more about right and wrong and how I want to make a difference.”

Meske also saw a big change in himself. 

“Leadership 200 made me more thoughtful about my actions because I realized they affect more than just me,” Meske said. “It really connects with Washburn’s motto, ‘Non Nobis Solum’ — not for ourselves alone.”

Coulter said the classes helped her understand her leadership style and how others see her. 

“It opened my eyes to how my choices affect others and made me more aware of my responsibilities as a leader,” Coulter said.

Minoring in leadership at Washburn is more than just earning a degree. It gives students the skills they need to succeed in their future careers. By learning about leadership and working on real-world projects, students gain valuable experience that helps them make a positive impact on their communities and workplaces.

Edited by Jeremy Ford and Stuti Khadka