Meeting the Demand for Leadership Development - Interest Session

Thomas A. Murray & Stacie Schultz - University of Arizona

This presentation discussed primarily the evolution of one particular program (ATLAS) within the University of Arizona’s leadership program. Thomas A. Murray began the session by informing the audience that his department was an ancillary service, requiring them to charge students for their offered programs.  After a lengthy history on the development of their certificate based program, Murray suggested that a resolution was beginning to form with their new ATLAS program, aimed at offering a smaller certificate program as part of their already robust leadership experiences.  At the beginning of ATLAS, the program offered 7 different certificates, 3 different levels, and one free option for students.  This was unsuccessful Murray indicated, as students wanted progression and structure, as opposed to the “choose your adventure” style of the program.  It is Murray’s hope that their ATLAS program will eventually have no more levels, and that experiential components will be mandatory aspects of each certificate.  This is because they found that service and experiential components have not been well attended as they have been largely optional “extras”. 

One of the more notable accomplishments of the ATLAS programs Murray discussed was the variety and selection of “workshops on demand” for the local organizations, campus faculty members, and associations.  These workshops are only $25.00 each for up to 30 participants. Part of their success they have found is due to the extremely low cost for these individuals to obtain these workshops.  The leadership program and curriculum is based on 61 total leadership outcomes, and is comprised of 4 overall competencies – knowledge, attitude, ability and behaviour.  Learning outcomes are assessed for all programs, workshops and events.  In their recent years, the program has served 820 distinct students, with 111 certificates being awarded.  Before the recent addition of the workshops on demand, the department had only produced 46 certificates to that point. There have been a total of 1496 contact hours accumulated, and 13 interdepartmental relationships developed.  Murray ended the presentation by emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships, noting that there is a great bond and connection between the department and IBM.  IBM has recently signed a 3 year contract with Murray’s area, and is heavily invested in the Coop program there and the outcomes the students have acquired while participating in the many aspects of the program.