Hobart and William Smith Colleges

The HWS Leads Leadership Certificate Program is designed to purposefully guide students in the study of leadership and offer the opportunity to develop as leaders through academic enrichment and applied learning. This program provides the foundation for students to embark upon, or continue, their journey of developing into ethical, inclusive and value-based leaders. 

Here's a brief overview of the program components to give you a glimpse of what lies ahead: 

Milestone 1: Leadership Theory

Leadership Theory is the gateway course into the certificate program. By providing an overview of contemporary leadership theories, this course deepens students' understanding of leadership and balances academic enrichment with engaged learning. Students will begin working on their individual portfolio that chronicles their growth, perspectives, values, experiences and personal leadership understanding. Students are not eligible for the Leads program until they successfully complete this course. 

Milestone 2: Values and Philosophy

(Formerly the Leadership Applied requirement)

Students can begin Milestone 2 once they have completed (or are currently taking) the Leadership Theory course. This requirement consists of attending five in-person workshops. The same five workshops will be offered during both fall and spring semesters to accommodate for study abroad, extracurricular commitments, etc.

Workshop topics include:

• Leveraging Your Leadership and Creating Your Brand
• High-Performance Teams
• Leading Effective Teams
• Leading Across Cultures
• Building Relationships and Growing Community

Within these workshops, students can expect to cover the following key content areas:

• Engaging in Activism & Social Justice 
• Idea Generation 
• Creativity & Innovation 
• Envisioning & Creating Change 
• Strategic Management 
• Pitching & Presenting 
• Startup Proposal Process 
• Mentorship 
• DEI&J 

As an HWS Leads student, it will be the student’s responsibility to correctly identify these content areas within the workshops and reflect on identified connections in written format.

Milestone 3: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Students will examine the theoretical underpinnings of DEI and justice, grapple with understanding systemic inequalities and the impact of bias on individuals and groups. They will develop strategies to create inclusive environments, address disparities, and promote equitable opportunities, empowering you to lead with cultural competence, empathy, and a commitment to justice. Students will write a definitive statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice.

Milestone 4: Ethics

Following Milestone 3, students will master ethical decision-making, navigate complex ethical dilemmas, and foster a culture of ethical responsibility—essential skills for effective leadership. Students will write a Code of Ethics statement.

Milestone 5: Public Speaking

Public Speaking introduces students to the basics of public speaking and presentation techniques, an essential leadership skill. Topics covered include critiquing a speech, analyzing an audience, exploring a topic, arranging a speech, the use of language and the performance of speech through the voice and body. This course provides a practical opportunity for students to become a better public speaker in a variety of public speaking and communication contexts. Students will submit a written reflection and self-evaluation at the completion of the course.

Milestone 6: Leadership in Action

Leadership in Action is designed to be the certificate’s capstone experience. During this time, students will have the opportunity to practice and develop the theories and skills they have learned throughout their time in the Leads Certificate program, through a structured experience. Fieldwork will be focused in a particular area that meets the student’s interests and professional development goals. Fieldwork can be a community placement or internship, approved on-campus leadership role, or academic research. Prior to enrolling in Fieldwork, students will meet with a Centennial Center staff member to discuss Fieldwork opportunities. After this advising session, students must complete an action plan that details their field work experience, goals, and intended outcomes. Students will identify and partner with a Fieldwork Supervisor for their project in addition to receiving regular support from a Centennial Center Fieldwork Advisor. Fieldwork requires that students submit a leadership proposal and complete up to 45 hours of research during the course of a semester or academic year through internships, community placements, on-campus leadership roles, or academic research. Students will compile their certificate work into a uniquely designed e-Portfolio to showcase their most prominent reflections, experiences and understandings around leadership. This allows students to present their leadership work and articulate important learning milestones experienced during the certificate program as well as throughout their time at HWS. 

Milestone 7: Leveraging Your Leadership

Leveraging Your Leadership spans work derived from the requirements of the HWS Leads Certificate program: two readers college courses, Values and Philosophy workshops, and the Fieldwork experience culminating in an eportfolio. The eportfolio is a place for students to compile their certificate work, reflect on their process and articulate important learning milestones. A completed portfolio is simply an organized storyboard, uniquely designed by each student, showcasing their most prominent reflections, experiences and understandings around leadership. Portfolios are designed to be a professional presentation of a student’s leadership work during the certificate program as well as throughout their time at HWS. 

Milestone 8: Presentation

Students will present their eportfolio detailing their leadership journey on HWS Day. This will represent their completion of the HWS LEADS Certificate program.