UW-Madison Leadership Certificate Program

Introduction to the Leadership Certificate

The University of Wisconsin-Madison recognizes the need for increasing the capacity of individuals capable of taking leadership roles in all professions and sectors of society while on campus and beyond. It is our belief that leadership can be learned in formal classes, community-based leadership opportunities, mentoring and internship settings, as well as through a range of collaborative leadership activities.

The definition of leadership that guides the Leadership Certificate is that leadership is “the ability to mobilize self and others toward a common goal.” The implications of this definition are that leadership in this context refers to the verb rather than the noun “leadership.” Further, given the history of UW-Madison students, that this mobilization creates an impact on the individuals, student organizations, and the community in a positive, permanent way.

The leadership certificate is based on four assumptions:

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison is committed to developing the leadership capabilities within its community;
• Effective leadership skills can be taught and learned at the university and in the community;
• The university environment is a strategic and appropriate setting for mastering both leadership theory and leadership skills; and
• The success of leadership is measured by direct impact on individuals, organizations, and society.

With these assumptions in mind, the Leadership Certificate intends to note exceptional energy and focus on leadership development demonstrated by a commitment to learning, application in the community, and impact of contribution.

Background

The University of Wisconsin-Madison campus is steeped in excellence and tradition. This excellence is demonstrated through the competitive admissions process that brings exceptionally bright and talented students to the campus, as well as through the notable contributions that faculty, staff, and alumni have made through research, teaching and outreach to local, national, and international communities. The passing of the campus culture from one generation to the next – the traditions – are taught from the moment a student steps on campus and begins to absorb the rich history the campus has to offer to the first time they sing “Varsity” as a graduate. Woven throughout the student experience and the environment are monuments to the tradition of student activism and leadership on campus. Anyone who has spent a Friday afternoon on the Memorial Union Terrace, or walked down the lakeshore path to Picnic Point has profited from the strong student leadership on the UW-Madison campus. These two campus icons represent student initiatives and action that left a permanent imprint on the campus environment. Less obvious are the individual notations of student achievement. The Leadership Certificate has been created to capture the personal commitment for leadership development demonstrated by many of the student leaders on campus.

This certificate is the product of the Student Leadership & Governance Work Group established by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UW-Madison during 2002-2003. The broad-based Work Group was comprised of representatives from student governance, campus student leadership, colleges, the Dean of Students Office, the Wisconsin Union, the Morgridge Center, IFC, University Housing, and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office. The Leadership Certificate is administered through the Student Organization Office at UW-Madison.