The colloquium highlights different aspects of leadership from a variety of corporate and nonprofit settings. Students are encouraged to research topics which they themselves have faced in the workplace. A member of the Augsburg faculty advises each student’s project from the creation of the hypothesis to the final paper.

This year’s topics include executive turnover in the chamber of commerce industry, transformative leadership experiences, leading through change in a health care setting, funding and employee retention in nonprofit organizations, the teaching and training of entrepreneurs, and more.

The post MAL colloquium highlights graduate research appeared first on News and Media.

The colloquium serves as a showcase of student creativity, highlighting explorations of every angle of leadership. Students are encouraged to research topics they are passionate about and which they themselves have faced in the workplace.

“I admit that the reason I was first interested in my topic of how a leader’s behavior can affect subordinates was that I experienced one of ‘those’ bosses first hand,” said Chris LeDuc as she introduced her topic. Her research showed that leaders’ conversations containing “personal consideration” with subordinates had the strongest correlation to workers’ organizational commitment.

Scott Brink, who spoke on how local government agencies can adapt more readily to economic climates and technological change, also fashioned his topic from challenges within his work environment. Faced with budget cuts, unfunded mandates, and an exhaustion of areas in which to economize, he was looking for new strategies to apply to his work.

A member of the Augsburg faculty advises each student’s project from the creation of the hypothesis to the final paper. Norma Noonan, who has headed the Leadership program for the last 18 years, reflected on the professional level with which students approach their projects. “Leadership skills, specifically regarding vision, persuasion, and action, are addressed in every course. Even though I know our students are receiving this training, it is still quite amazing to see the culmination of this effort at work in students’ research projects. Knowing that our students have honed skills that are invaluable to non-profit and for-profit organizations is a rewarding feeling.”

Colloquium presenters and their topics:

(Back row)

Lisa Wocken – How Dialogue, Discussion, and Debate Manifest in a Corporate Setting

Scott Brink – Complexity Theory and Local Government Application

Terrance Burns – The Bible and the Ballot: The Christian Right in American Politics

Debra DeRosa – Communication Satisfaction and Part-time Employees in a Park and Recreation Organization

(Front row)

Chris LeDuc – Relationship between Leader Behavior & Subordinate Organizational Commitment in Higher Education Administrators

Mhonpaj Lee – Optimizing Interpreter Services in Hospitals and Clinics

Susan Phillips – Youth Development in the Activism Context: a Case Study of the Wilder Youth Leadership Initiative

Patricia Brill – Innovation Through Social Networking in Communities of Practice

Article by Nancy Shaeffer

The post Leadership students present research appeared first on News and Media.

Though online education is certainly not a new concept, the higher education community has been somewhat reluctant to adopt the model. At Augsburg, this will change with the implementation of the set to launch in August.

The integrated MAL builds on the strengths of the classic program model while also incorporating online learning as a significant portion of the curriculum. In this two-year cohort program, students will meet for five-day “intensive” face-to-face experiences at the program launch and at the midpoint. They will continue their coursework primarily online and supplement their instruction with monthly on-campus meetings.

According to Lori Peterson, dean of graduate and professional studies and a member of the program steering committee, the MAL integrated studies program fits well with the mission and “feel” of Augsburg College. It also allows the college to respond to market demands in higher education.

“This is authentic Augsburg at it’s very best: a leadership program that combines experiential learning in the city and in the world, vocational discovery, dynamic content, outstanding faculty who are leaders in their fields, and Augsburg’s ability to create degree formats that work for working adults into one fabulous learning opportunity,” Peterson says.

Garry Hesser, a sociology and metro and urban studies professor who has also taught in the MAL program for many years, has developed the launch “intensive.” The course, titled “Responsible Leadership for the 21st Century” will use the pillars of Augsburg’s mission to frame a study of leadership. Students will examine social issues through immersion in the city and specifically in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

The graduate certificate in social entrepreneurship is designed for students interested in obtaining the skills and competencies necessary for the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact; recognizing the unique challenges, opportunities, and qualities associated with trying to create social value.

Bruce Batten, MBA associate director, says the this interdisciplinary program will support the goals and spirit of Augsburg College, bringing together diverse disciplines to work on projects that have social impact both locally and globally.

The program, which combines courses from Augsburg’s Master of Arts in Leadership, Master of Social Work, and Master of Business Administration programs, is for students who aspire to be social entrepreneurs, executives in social-purpose organizations, philanthropists, board members, or leading volunteers in their communities and the social sector. It will also appeal to students interested in incorporating strategies for social impact into their business and entrepreneurial careers.

The post Augsburg launches two new graduate offerings appeared first on News and Media.