Introduction The world is comprised of complex interconnected systems that frequently operate in ways that challenge the sustainability of all systems. Consequently, society faces increasingly complicated challenges like climate change, social inequality, and environmental degradation. Complex challenges illuminate both the need and potential for leadership to emerge from any individual, at any time, in any…
Introduction Escape rooms involve multiple players who find clues, complete puzzles, and negotiate multiple tasks to meet a primary goal within a set time limit (Nicholson, 2015). Escape rooms are typically for entertainment purposes but more recently have been aligned with learning objectives in various disciplines in a higher education context (Clarke et al., 2017;…
Introduction/Literature Review The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes that Engineering is making steady growth across its disciplines and accelerated growth in areas such as civil engineering (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). It is reasonable to expect this trend to continue, given the growing global demand to meet infrastructural, energy-based, and technological challenges. To this…
Introduction Over the last two decades, cultivating students’ capacity for future leadership has become central to the mission of higher education, resulting in a proliferation of leadership development opportunities both in and out of the classroom (Haber, 2011; Osteen & Coburn, 2012; Rosch & Schwartz, 2009). Peer leadership programs have become especially popular, given their…
Problématique Universities and their academic programs are entangled in multiple cultural and political worlds and must account for themselves to multiple stakeholders. While all academic programs must respond to this call to accountability – interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary programs are especially challenged due to their complexity and multiple agendas (Hyun, 2011, Klein, 1996). A useful schema drawn from…
Although there are various individual qualities that can serve as a foundation for success in leadership pursuits, scholars have documented the specific importance of leadership efficacy as a catalyst that can motivate leaders to confidently pursue complex challenges, mobilize individuals to undertake collective action, and influence social or organizational change, all with a high degree…
Introduction A significant goal of higher learning and leadership education is learning about oneself in relation to others (Boyer, 1990; Chickering & Reisser, 1993; Greenleaf & Spears, 2002; Kloppenborg, Hahnenberg, & Prosak-Beres, 2012; O’Connor & Myers, 2018). Such reflective learning often takes place within the context of cultural settings where individuals must act and react…
Introduction Over half of the approximately 4,000 accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States offer a formal educational or co-curricular program dedicated to the leadership development of their students (International Leadership Association, 2017). At the turn of the century less than two decades ago, fewer than 25% offered such opportunities (Riggio, Ciulla, & Sorensen, 2003). …
Introduction The seeds of the exercise explained in this paper were planted by a Washington Post article whose headline read, “Democrats are gay, Republicans are rich: Our stereotypes of political parties are amazingly wrong” (Sides, 2016). The article appeared as the 2016 presidential election was escalating and presented an intriguing premise: Democrats and Republicans do…
Introduction In the late 1990s, several researchers called out a lack of capacity for leadership among those living in the United States (Ehrlich, 1999; Korten, 1998; Lappé & DuBois, 1994). Around the same time, national attention was turning to postsecondary institutions to set the stage for leadership development of young scholars. In response to this,…