We believe being a leader is not tied to the position one holds. Rather, all individuals have the potential to influence and energize others while working together toward a common goal.
Many nations, including the United States, are grappling with a pervasive crisis around traditional leadership across all economic sectors, characterized by a broad mistrust in leadership figures. The negative impacts on people, organizations, and society affect our lives and communities every day. A general lack of confidence in leadership is linked to employee turnover and well-being concerns that together cost organizations and taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
WashU believes student leadership development is the answer.
By transforming prevailing notions of what it means to be a leader—and what it takes to be effective as a leader—we create a culture where leading is about the positive change any person can affect and the many forms leadership can take.
Our Vision
Students will graduate from WashU prepared to pursue their purpose with integrity and a commitment to having a positive impact on the world. Their WashU education—comprising their classwork and their experiences outside the classroom—will help them understand their values and strengths, discover the ways they can contribute to society, and develop the leadership qualities they need to make these contributions. All students, whatever their backgrounds or professional paths, will grow as leaders of character and capability during their time at WashU.
What We Do
We develop and deliver student leadership programs across WashU.
An Immersive Experiential Model
The Bauer Leaders Academy serves as a core structure for developing and delivering programs in service of the University’s strategic initiative—WashU Leads—to differentiate WashU as the premier institution for developing leaders of character and capability.
The signature of the Bauer Leaders Academy is a four-year leadership development program for undergraduates. This program is distinctive in its integration of experiential learning, distinctive coursework, and direct coaching.
Undergraduate Leadership Journey
Year 1: The purpose project
College is a natural time for students to contemplate their calling in life and form clearer ideas around their own journey.
During their first year, all undergraduates will have the opportunity to consider their purposes, values, and leadership identities. Orientation and first-year course-work, including the Division of Student Affairs’ one-credit course about the college transition, all will feature modules and exercises focused on purpose, values and leadership. Throughout this first year, WashU will consistently challenge each student to reconnect to their purpose for learning that will stay with them for decades to come.
Years 2-4: Deepening Leader Identity & Skills
Students who elect to go deeper into leadership development through learning and practice will have a variety of means through which to do so.
One offering is access to Leadership Coaching. Coaching has proven highly effective for self awareness and growing confidence and skills as leaders. Participants identify key objectives for their development as learners and leaders, and each certified coach works with a small group of students who have similar objectives.
Students also have several opportunities to take courses infused with the WashU model of leader development. The Bauer Leaders Academy provides funding for faculty members across disciplines to develop courses that situate leadership in students’ diverse areas of interest.
Students can also accelerate their development as leaders of character and capability through a range of extracurricular workshops, programs, and events. One signature event—WashU’s Leadership Week—clusters multiple experiences to shine a spotlight on WashU’s distinctive approach to leader development.
Who We Are
We are a team of educators, researchers, and student-centric professionals who are passionate about developing leaders of character and capability. By integrating our unique perspectives and areas of expertise, we develop and deliver innovative and evidence-based leader development programs.
Andrew Knight
Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Leadership, Executive Director of the George and Carol Bauer Leaders Academy and Professor of Organizational Behavior
Effective leadership of our institutions, at all levels, is one of the most important societal challenges of the 21st century.
George P. Bauer