The President’s Leadership Program (PLP) at Colorado State University Pueblo is a competitive, cohort-based, multidisciplinary program with a strong experiential emphasis that leads to a minor in Leadership Studies. PLP is housed in the Center for Honors and Leadership where cooperative programming allows students to minor in both Leadership Studies and Honors. The curriculum includes a core of five three-credit-hour courses and a minimum of three credit hours of approved elective courses selected from leadership-related courses offered on campus.

The vision of the President’s Leadership Program is to create multiculturally-competent transformational leaders who will serve the communities in which they live and work. Crucial to the development of participants’ leadership skills and practices are the acquisition of intercultural competence, social consciousness and civic responsibility, as well as ethical and altruistic attitudes and behaviors.

Potential scholars must be admitted to Colorado State University Pueblo as full-time students. Applications to the PLP must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and community service experience. Throughout their time in the program, PLP scholars may be eligible for scholarship consideration and/or financial assistance, based on merit and program participation.

President’s Leadership Program Goals

• To provide a sequence of courses and professional placements centered in the concept of transformational leadership.
• To offer challenging experiential opportunities for students in diverse leadership settings.
• To showcase individual student interests and goals through mentorship, personal development strategies, and internship placements.

Requirements for PLP Scholars

Students must remain in good academic standing within the program, maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000. Program participants are expected to be involved in extra-curricular activities on campus and in the community, and must adhere to the PLP Standards and Expectations, as outlined in the PLP Student Handbook distributed at the Scholar Orientation and Retreat each August. All students should volunteer 30 hours of community service each semester.

Specific Admission Requirements

The PLP focuses on first-time, full-time students who meet the minimum program admission requirements and must submit all of the components of the application, which includes:

• PLP Application Form (available online).
• Essay on a Leadership Topic (see application form).
• Resume (including personal objectives, education, work experience, school and community leadership experiences, honors and awards).
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals (teachers, principals, pastors, employers, etc.).
• Copy of Official High School Transcript.

All application information is available on the PLP website. Students who have been accepted into other college-level leadership programs, and wish to transfer into CSU Pueblo’s PLP must apply through the Director. All applicants are interviewed by a PLP Selection team and are accepted at the discretion of this committee based on the admissions criteria.

Timelines

To meet the preferred deadline, application materials must be received by March 1st. The applications will be screened and interviews with the Selection Committee will be scheduled.

Student Learning Outcomes

Scholars in the President’s Leadership Program will complete the minor in Leadership Studies. Through this minor program, students will focus on six learning outcomes as described below:

• Self-Leadership
  • ​PLP scholars will understand, synthesize, and evaluate their personal readiness for leadership by communicating effectively through written and oral means as measured by course assignments and a final portfolio.
• Ethics
  • ​PLP scholars will manifest an understanding of leadership ethics and service to others, and illustrate, analyze and assess ethical behaviors as demonstrated in written work and oral presentation.
• Leadership Theory
  • ​PLP scholars will describe, apply and criticize major leadership theories, and will be prepared to assess their own leadership qualities in relation to theoretical principles.
• Critical Thinking
  • ​PLP scholars will understand the methods and skills needed for critical thinking and decision-making and be prepared to interpret situations and cases beyond surface arguments.
• Problem Solving
  • ​PLP scholars will apply problem-solving skills through faculty-directed classroom project assignments and by taking on volunteer and community service projects.
• Civic Engagement
  • ​PLP scholars will understand the importance of civic engagement and community activism as measured through volunteerism, community and campus service, team projects and class assignments.

Outcomes Assessment

Assessment of the Leadership Studies minor is the responsibility of the PLP faculty, staff, and students. The following tracking processes are in place to gather information and evaluate student progress in the following ways:

• Course syllabi, sample project portfolios and presentations, and related survey data will remain on file in the office of the President’s Leadership Program for use in appropriate assessment activities.
• The executive director and academic director routinely advise students on the Leadership Studies minor and maintain academic records and progress reports on current minors.
• Scholar reports and portfolios are reviewed on a semester by semester basis to determine levels of learning outcome success.
• Students are asked to evaluate all minor courses, serve on PLP committees, and to serve on focus groups or advisory boards to provide feedback and input for PLP activities.
• Student volunteer service hours are tracked and reviewed.
• PLP faculty and students participate in Colorado Leadership Alliance activities to ascertain best practices and to arrange leadership activities for students in the statewide organization. PLP faculty members affiliate with the Association of Leadership Educators International Leadership Association when possible.

Specific Program Requirements

Student must be accepted to the President's Leadership Program PRIOR to beginning the coursework noted below.

Students may choose from the following electives to complete the minor in Leadership Studies. Students are encouraged to diversify their course selections. Only one course may count in both the student’s major and the Leadership Studies minor. Special topics courses related to leadership and new courses approved in other disciplines may also be approved on a case by case basis. Students should check with the PLP academic advisor for a current roster of specific additions. (In some cases, prerequisites or permission of instructor may be required for enrollment. See Course Descriptions section of catalog for information and requirements about all courses.)

The President’s Leadership Program staff recommends at least one course focusing on the issues of diversity, either as a general education offering or as it relates to leadership, to prepare students for leadership in a multicultural world. Considering the benefits of a multidisciplinary education, students should select electives from more than one discipline.