Leadership Certificate Program

Mission

Sweet Briar College's Leadership Certificate Program prepares women to become responsible and influential members of a global community. Through an intense and supportive educational environment, students are empowered to learn to lead with integrity, honor, and commitment. They do so by integrating the knowledge offered to them through the College's strong liberal arts curriculum, diverse experiences both on and off campus, and the development of individual and team building skills. Together, these experiences will provide them a strong foundation on which to build as they become leaders in their chosen endeavors while students at Sweet Briar as well as after graduation and throughout their lives.

The Leadership Certificate Program is a three year program that:

• Combines academic and experiential learning which encourages an understanding of the theory and foundations of leadership;
• Fosters personal development such as communication skills, time management, and ethical decision making;
• Provides for the acquisition of the organizational skills necessary to work well with others and to motivate groups to work toward a common goal.

Who can participate?

The Leadership Certificate Program is open to all Sweet Briar students with an interest in exploring and developing their leadership skills. Transfer students may participate if they can demonstrate that they have had similar experiences to those offered in Phase I at another institution. Students may begin the program in the fall of either their first or second year. 

Program Overview

Students who complete all three phases of the program receive a certificate at graduation and a letter of completion with their college transcript. Students may, however, complete just one or two phases of the program. Each phase is one year long. During each phase student will:

• Attend regular meetings with the Leadership Certificate Program director.
• Attend the Leadership Conference held each spring (planned and hosted by the LCP students)
• Attend at least two on-campus events such as lectures, workshops or performances.
• Take at least three credit hours from classes on an approved list. Many courses on the list also satisfy general education or degree requirements.
• Engage in at least two additional activities that require a team effort to achieve a goal, such as team athletics, creative of performing arts, projects in clubs and organizations, community service or internships.
• Write a reflective essay.

What Are the Benefits?

You gain knowledge, leadership theory, and insight on leadership styles, strengths and weakness. You have the opportunity to develop your own style through interative projects, and at graduation you receive the Sweet Briar Leadership Certificate. Together these experiences provide you with a strong foundation for all your endeavors both as a student and in your life beyone college. 

"The leadership program has given me the courage and the tools to step into the real world beyond Sweet Briar."

- Kellner Pruett '12

"The Leadership Certificate Program has been an integral part of my experiences at Sweet Briar, and without it I would not be the person I am today."
-Katie Bird '09

"With the tremendous diversity of the students participating in LCP, I have been exposed to different leadership styles and leadership dynamics in a cross disciplinary group."

-Anne Lojek '08

For more information contact Joan Lucy, Director of the Leadership Certificate Program 
jlucy@sbc.edu | 434-381-6528