The Bauer Leaders Academy offers a distinctive, high-value, and individualized coaching experience for WashU students who have elected to go deeper into their leadership development. Participants will identify objectives for their growth as learners and leaders and complete personal assessments to tailor their journey of progress and development. Participants will be paired with professional leadership coaches, who will co-partner and help to accelerate their development as leaders of character and capability. At the conclusion of the program, students will craft a narrative of their journey and the foundation they have built for lifelong growth as leaders.

Spring 2025 Leadership Coaching Application now open.

Summer 2025 Applications will open in March 1 with a deadline of April 1.

About

Leadership Coaching: What is it, and what does it mean for you?

The Bauer Leaders Academy offers a distinctive, high-value, and individualized coaching experience for WashU students who have elected to go deeper into their leadership development. Participants will be paired with a professional leadership coach to co-create a leadership development plan through reflection, assessments, and setting actionable goals that foster growth.

Details about coaching

Stand Out is the perfect starting point to discover and articulate your leadership vision and self-awareness. This program is a strategic pathway to a purpose-driven leadership plan that deepens communication skills, values, strengths, and mindsets. Whether you hold a formal leadership role or not, Stand Out empowers you to integrate real-world experiences into your personal development. We do ask that you are committed and ready to engage fully for maximum growth.

Flexible scheduling to fit your availability, with options for both virtual and in-person sessions.

Program Requirements (approximately 6-hour total commitment over the semester)

· Personalized Coaching Sessions: One-on-one coaching over a semester, including one 60-minute session and three 45-minute sessions

· Comprehensive EQ Assessment: Gain deep insights with a full emotional intelligence (EQ) assessment, accompanied by a detailed report and debrief

· Journaling: To deepen your learning experience

· Leadership Development Plan: Complete for greater goal-setting and awareness

FAQ

What are the Benefits?
  • Live a more purpose-driven and meaningful life
  • Cultivate core values that align with leadership, career ambitions, and life goals
  • Increase self-awareness and improve emotional intelligence to build stronger relationships
  • Communicate with clarity and confidence
  • Develop an interpersonal presence that inspires the trust and respect of others, empowering you to lead with character and capability
Additional Details

Where does it take place? The program. It is delivered virtually using Zoom live on campus. You can indicate your preference when you schedule the session. As a result, you can attend at home, at school, or anywhere stable internet is available. It is recommended that you are free from distractions during the sessions.

How long is the program? Typically, over 1 semester during your time at WashU. However, you may engage on a case-by-case basis.

What are the requirements?

Whether you hold a formal leadership role or not, Stand Out empowers you to integrate real-world experiences into your personal development. We do ask that you are committed and ready to engage fully for maximum growth.

Note: This program is typically available once during your time at WashU. Additional coaching opportunities may be available on a case-by-case basis.

What is the difference between a coach, a counselor, and a mentor?

Unlike mentoring, which involves sharing expertise and offering advice, coaching is about guiding and supporting others to maximize their potential. It revolves around asking meaningful questions that encourage self-discovery, foster a growth mindset, and help individuals find their purpose.

Coaching The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Coaching facilitates self-discovery, helping students set goals, develop leadership skills, and achieve their full potential.

Counseling According to the American Psychological Association (APA), counseling involves “helping people with physical, emotional, and mental health issues improve their sense of well‐being, alleviate feelings of distress, and resolve crises.”

Mentoring World Education Services (WES) offers a helpful definition of mentorship as “a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience, knowledge, and connections is able to pass along what they have learned to a more junior individual within a certain field.”

Does this offer credit or a certificate?

Our mission is to create lifelong learners that continue to develop as leaders for a lifetime.

The Bauer Leaders Academy offers a leadership citation program. Participating in leadership coaching and the Stand Out Program are important components of this program.

I’ve taken the Clifton Strengths Assessment. Can I bring this into coaching?

Absolutely! Please share your top 5 strengths with your leadership coach to help guide your development. There are also many ways to dive deeper into your strengths. Learn more through the strengths program.

How can I get involved?

Students can apply through this LINK or contact leadersacademy@wustl.edu with any questions. If you are a school or organization interested in learning more about our approach, please contact us at leadersacademy@wustl.edu.