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.

To create a brighter future, the world needs people who can take action and inspire others to address challenges large and small. This is a central part of WashU’s mission—to ‘act in service of truth through the formation of leaders, the discovery of knowledge and the treatment of patients for the betterment of our region, our nation and our world.’ The Bauer Leaders Academy provides opportunities for WashU community members—particularly students—to develop and grow as leaders of character and capability.

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.

Our Approach to Leader Development

To have a positive impact on society, leaders must not only be equipped with the critical thinking skills needed to decide what needs to be done. They also must know how to get things done—to have the self-awareness and interpersonal skills that undergird effective leadership.

WashU is committed to helping every person utilize the 70-20-10 framework for leadership development. Our students are academically outstanding, but many young people don’t have the space and guidance needed to reflect and develop a purpose-driven leadership style. We believe that effective leadership development combines various learning experiences to create well-rounded and impactful leaders.

By integrating these three learning components, WashU prepares students to become effective and dynamic, purpose-driven leaders. Our holistic approach ensures that every student receives the support, opportunities, and education needed to thrive as a leader both during their time at the university and beyond.

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.

Mayo Amos

Program Coordinator

Tierra Fields

Associate Director for Leadership 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

Julia Macias

Director of Student Leader Development

Josh Mathews

Coordinator for Leadership Education and Advising

Diane Miller

Leadership Coach

Effective leadership of our institutions, at all levels, is one of the most important societal challenges of the 21st century.

George P. Bauer