Preparing for Greatness:

The Leaders of Tomorrow Learn How Today

At Humboldt State University, it is the students who make a difference. They come here from different places and all different walks of life. The programs encourage diversity and community. The university places a high degree of importance on the involvement of students and service learning. The knowledge and experience Humboldt State graduates take with them affect changes in their communities and professions.

The leadership studies minor exposes students to an integrated curriculum that combines actual hands-on leadership experiences, formal classroom instruction and an opportunity for guided reflection. In other words, students learn not only in classrooms, but by actually going out and taking initiative and performing tasks.

"If you ask me, what you are involved in while at college is as important as what you are learning. In many ways, how college shapes who you are is by far more important than what any class can teach you," said Tom Lyle, a 1998 HSU grad and participant in the minor program.

The leadership studies minor is still quite new. It was approved as a minor in 1996. Reese Hughes, director of student life, and Joan Tyson, the manager of Associated Students, did the legwork and helped the minor get approved.

"We are at the vanguard, the front edge of the wave!" said Hughes.

Why a leadership studies minor? It is to inspire people to make a difference, to take advantage of competitive strength and to be part of a community. Employers are always looking to hire people with leadership experience and to mold students who are prepared to make a value-based commitment to their community.

At this time, there are more than 50 students enrolled in the leadership studies minor. Also, organizers of the minor work in conjunction with the Fall Leadership Conference and the Spring Diversity Conference, which featured Angela Davis as a speaker.

Director of Student Life, Reese Hughes is one of the major figures in the leadership minor at HSU.

The 18-unit minor includes four phases: experiential, theoretical application, skill application and reflection.

The experiential phase emphasizes hands-on skills and experience. Leadership students have a choice amongvarious leadership courses. Some of those include Orientation Field Training, Program Leadership and Ropes Course Leadership Training. Students become involved with leadership from the start. Leadership studies minor students take part in HOP (Humboldt Orientation Program), LGA Program (Living Group Advisors), Associated Students and Y.E.S. House.

HOP students are essentially tour guides that help new students become more familiar with Humboldt State University. They are responsible for showing new students how to register for classes. Also, HOP students show students the locations of the bookstore, computer labs and the Housing and Dining Office, among other places. Even though most people on campus are friendly, it is still helpful to have HOP students to answer questions and give advice.

L.G.A.s are the big brothers and sisters who make sure the on-campus living areas (dorms) are running smoothly. They are the people who students call when their neighbors are playing bongos at 3 a.m. L.G.A.s also keep the peace among residents and plan fun programs like beach parties, camping trips and ski/snowboarding weekends.

The Associated Students represents students at Humboldt State University. The elected members of the Associated Students Council are committed to "furthering the educational, social, cultural and physical interests of Humboldt students, as well as ensuring the protection of students' rights and interests." A.S. was responsible for allocating funds so students could go to Seattle and observe the World Trade Organization last November.

It also helps students organize clubs like the Jewish Student Union, International Club and Math Club.

Youth Educational Services is a volunteer community-service organization at HSU. Y.E.S. programs are initiated and directed by student volunteers who can receive academic units for their participation. Since 1968, students have successfully implemented volunteer programs in Humboldt County using the instruction of service learning. Y.E.S. is propelled by the strength of student directors, interns and volunteers, and by its governing body, which is comprised primarily by students.

In the theoretical application phase the students take classes intended to provide them with the opportunity to explore leadership and apply it to their own personal situations.

The skills application phase emphasizes courses that teach budget and management, technology, communication, and multicultural competencies.

The final phase is the reflection phase, where students complete their senior capstone leadership experiences. Leadership studies students are able to follow up on their experiences in the minor with one final senior project.

The University of Richmond was the first to create a program in leadership, in 1992. Since then, Chapman University (Calif.) and Fort Hays (Kansas) have implemented majors in leadership. At least eight other institutions (including the University of Denver) offer minors in leadership studies.