The Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program
Central to being a leader is having a vision, and the ability to persuasively communicate that vision so that others follow. Leadership is vision that inspires action. Not everyone will fill the primary leadership role within an organization. But everyone can identify their strengths and develop their own personal vision statement that motivates them to positive action and inspires those within their own sphere of influence. Through the Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program, students become more effective leaders and more effective in their own life and as an influencer of others.
The Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program is an inclusive program for leadership within a business setting. Bauer College students start the program by identifying their strengths, and then relating those strengths to the traits of success shared by executives and community leaders to develop a personal vision statement. They then apply their strengths and carry out that vision within a group setting of an organization. Students who demonstrate outstanding leadership receive a certificate of completion and may receive scholarships to help pay for their education.
The goals of the program are to provide practical knowledge of professionalism; tools for effective decision making and communication; to help students discover their strengths and how to leverage their personal leadership talents to be effective and influential; and to enhance students capacity to lead ethically and effectively all while being in the service of others.
The program is based on well known programs such as StrengthsQuest by Gallup and the Leadership Challenge, a widely recognized leadership model based on qualitative research with middle and senior managers. This model is outlined in the book Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner.
Program Overview
Level One: Foundations of Leadership
Students begin the Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program in the course GENB 2301 “Connecting Bauer to Business” by laying a foundation in four areas critical to effective leadership:
- Ethical Conduct
- Effective Communication
- Decision Making
- Identifying Strengths (using StrengthsQuest ™)
Level Two: Envision Your Leadership Role
In this level students reflect on their own passions, values, strengths, and compose an initial personal leadership vision statement about the ways they envision themselves effecting positive change in their own lives and within their spheres of influence. As a follow-up, students attend workshops to discuss their vision, and how that vision relates to their strengths, and academic and career goals.
- Visioning Workshop
- Crossroad Conversation/Action Plan
Level Three: Leadership in Action
At the next level, students apply their strengths and take ownership of a team-based project within the college or university, a student organization, a K-12 outreach program, a community organization, or an internship. The aim of Level Three is to begin applying their personal leadership goals, get experience using their strengths in a group setting, and to better understand their most effective role within a group. Students must complete the following requirements for this level:
- 30-45 hours of a service project
- Self reflection with journaling questions that lead to a one-page reflection paper
- Team Dynamics Workshop
- Cross-Cultural Communication Workshop
Level Four: Leadership Full Circle
Students in Level Four come full circle by engaging and giving back. The goal of this level is giving back in some way to the next generation. Students must complete the following requirements for this level:
- A significant leadership role, with a special emphasis on leadership of a local or global project. This role may be within a student organization, community organization or the Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program.
- Connect with alumni, executive, community leaders for coaching/mentoring on leadership challenges
- 360 degree evaluation
- Leadership summary paper to be submitted and presented on overall learning and development that occurred, future goals and transition plans.
Additional Activity Requirements
In addition to the requirements of each level, students must participate in four additional activities chosen from five categories. No more than two activities per category will count towards completion of the Certificate Program. Categories of activities include the following:
- Leadership classes
- Leadership conferences, seminar, competitions
- Leadership books and book review
- Community service
- Study abroad or internship
Summary Chart of Certificate Levels and Student Action Items
Level One is required of all Bauer students through GENB 2301. Completion of Levels Two, Three, and Four, and the four additional activities are required for students to receive the Certificate.
| Level One: Foundations of Leadership | Ethical Conduct | Decision Making | Effective Communication | Identifying Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level Two: Leadership Vision Statement | Leadership Presentations | Self-Reflective Journaling | Vision Statement | Facilitated Discussion |
| Level Three: Leadership in Action | Participation in an Organization | Diversity and Cross-Cultural Communication | Team Dynamics | Action Report |
| Level Four: Leadership Full Circle | Leader in an Organization, of a Project or Committee | Priority for ASA Positions in GENB 2301 & Scholarships | Leadership Summary Report | Award of the Certificate |
| Four Additional Activities: No more than two per category | Classes on leadership | Conferences and Retreats | Book Reviews | Community Service and Other approved activities |
Interested?
Students who accept the challenge to participate may apply once they complete Level One in GENB 2301. For more information, contact
Marcela Pinto
Program Manager, Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program
E-mail: mpinto@uh.edu
Phone: (713) 743-3639.
“If you are bold and eschew the mundane, you can become leaders. So far as I know, we only come this way one time. Give yourself a chance. Meet the challenges. Enjoy the excitement that comes with accomplishment. Pay the price. Allow yourself to dream. Give your dreams a chance to come true. And when you are firm in your convictions, don’t let others tell you it can’t be done.”
-- Charles T. “Ted” Bauer