A program dedicated to building leadership skills in graduate students is offering seminars for the second straight year.

The Graduate Leadership Development Series offers students the opportunity to sharpen their communication skills; it also offers participants advice on how to be a leader in the professional world. 

The GLDS was created last year by Melissa Bostrom, director of graduate academic and professional development.

“I wrote a grant proposal to fund this program last year, because I realized there was nothing like it,” Bostrom said. ”A lot of graduate students felt the leadership development series that was already available was more for undergraduate students. I wanted to create something the graduate students could utilize.” 

The program aims to develop communication skills, self-awareness and professional adaptability, according to Bostrom.  Participants in the program must be part of the graduate program at the University.

“The idea is to teach students about opportunities for leadership development.  We also try to do a lot with critical thinking skills,” Bostrom said.

Participating students complete human pattern assessment and emotional intelligence assessments first. They also complete a pre-program questionnaire online. After the program, students complete a questionnaire about the program’s strengths and weaknesses.

During the sessions, participants take part in team-building exercises and receive personal development coaching.  There are homework assignments in addition to the training classes.  This year, 21 graduate students are participating in the program; 25 students completed the program last year.

“The program was piloted last year and was very successful, so we decided to go ahead with it this year,” Bostrom said.

According to the report from last year’s program, students indicated an increased competency in self-awareness, leadership and professional adaptability.  A student who participated in the program last year said it was a “valuable and life-changing program,” according to the report.

“It seemed like there was a need for this type of program, so it was natural to try and make it happen,” Bostrom said.

Most of the feedback posted in the report was positive. Overall, students said that they learned a lot about leadership and felt more confident after completing the program. 

Last year, participants completed four sessions:

critical thinking foundations and building self-awareness

models of leadership

the power of emotional intelligence

taking the next steps in leadership and professional development.

“I have developed this program in order to help our graduate students reach their full potential in leadership,” Bostrom said.

Participants who complete the program receive a certificate of completion and some real feedback on their leadership skills. The program provides each student two in-depth assessments of their strengths, abilities and interests. 

“I wanted to give graduate students the opportunity for in-depth leadership training,” Dr. Bostrom said.