Overview

The Office of Leadership Development works to create future generations of leaders who live and lead with integrity and meaning.   

We provide leadership development, education, and training to all students at Temple through three main initiatives:

Together, these programs help students

  • grow integrity, character and self-awareness
  • identify their core passions
  • set positive examples
  • foster collaborative relationships
  • effectively lead in diverse contexts
  • positively impact communities on the local, state, national and global levels

History

The Temple University Student Leadership Challenge launched in Fall 2005 by a committee of administrators. The committee reviewed numerous leadership development theories before selecting Kouzes and Posner’s (2002) The Leadership Challenge as a foundation, which is now in its fourth edition.  Using their highly-praised framework, the Student Leadership Challenge Planning Committee developed a Leadership Diamond Points system and seven components that comprise The Challenge.  The components intentionally allow students to learn and practice leadership through a variety of formats. 

As The Challenge grew in both participant numbers and programs offered, staffing needs followed. During the 2008-2009 school year a full-time program director and part-time graduate extern served as the key coordinators of The Challenge. Additionally, the Planning Committee evolved into an Advisory Council, coordinating new initiatives such as the Leadership Living Learning Community.

In order to offer an even more comprehensive leadership development program that utilizes multiple leadership frameworks for students, the Student Leadership Challenge program evolved into the Office of Leadership Development in August 2009. This transition launched the new Diamond Leaders program and an increased emphasis to build academic connections to leadership learning in and outside the classroom.