About the Program
The world is growing more complex every day.
Overcoming social and political division in pursuit of a common good, solving complicated problems like climate change and poverty, and managing the emergence of revolutionary technology like AI all require a new generation of inspired leadership.
That’s why we created the Leadership and Ethics Across Disciplines (LEAD) Honors Program at Linfield University: to challenge and develop high-potential students who are intellectually engaged and committed to making a positive difference in the world.
This groundbreaking program is based on the premise that leadership isn’t just for a select few; it’s a potential that resides within each of us. It moves beyond the conventional, top-down view of leadership and embraces a more inclusive, collaborative model where everyone can lead.
Leaders are storytellers, versatile writers, careful listeners, and compelling speakers. Leaders work well in teams, feel empathy, and have integrity. Leaders are forward-thinking, but also seek insights from the past to help guide the way and inform sound judgment. Leaders are intellectually and socially nimble, able adapt to different environments, bridge differences, synthesize large quantities of information, and draw from a variety of disciplinary perspectives to help solve complex problems — all the things employers covet.
This approach informs the core features that distinguish the LEAD Honors Program. As a LEAD Scholar, you will:
Receive significant financial support. LEAD Scholars are awarded a prestigious, renewable $5000 scholarship, in addition to other aid that you may be granted.
Experience a different kind of community. Join a team of 16 students from different academic interests and backgrounds guided by two faculty advisors, each an expert in a different field. From your pre-orientation program to participation in “What’s the Big Idea” discussions over dinners with faculty to off-site retreats to specialized mentoring, the LEAD Honors Program serves as an anchor for your Linfield experience.
Develop (and discover) your leadership potential. As a LEAD Scholar, you embark on an interdisciplinary journey of reflection and development, including a cutting-edge honors inquiry seminar and a LEAD minor curriculum taught by world-class faculty designed to build a foundation that will help you to navigate ethical dilemmas, adapt to change, and work across human differences. Whether you're majoring in STEM, humanities, social sciences, nursing, or business, our program seamlessly integrates with any field of study and promotes innovation on the boundaries of disciplines.
Gain practical leadership experience that translates into any field. LEAD Scholars participate in a first-year professional development institute, complete at least two “practicum” requirements (one on-campus such as being a resident advisor and one off-campus such as completing an internship and/or studying abroad), and learn from established leaders in government, law, non-profit, global business, healthcare, the tech industry, the arts, and beyond.
Build a LEAD senior portfolio. Throughout your time as a LEAD Scholar, you will be working as an archivist of your projects, learning, and experiences, which showcases your accomplishments and culminates in a public presentation. Upon graduation, you’ll not only be ready to impress graduate schools or prospective employers, but confident in your abilities to contribute to the greater good and lead a meaningful life.
You may be asking: what types of students make a good fit for the LEAD Honors Program?
While there is no single blueprint for success as a LEAD Scholar, in the big picture we are looking for students who are:
High-Potential: You probably have a strong academic record, but more importantly, you’re intellectually curious and eager to learn.
Civic-Minded: You care about making a positive difference in the world and are committed to using your talents for good.
Willingness to Push Yourself: You understand that growth often happens outside of your comfort zone, and you’re eager to embrace new challenges and perspectives.
Upon graduation, LEAD Scholars leave with:
- Dynamic skills and habits of mind that employers from all fields value.
- Deep connections with your LEAD cohort peers and mentors, forming a tight-knit network of support and inspiration.
- A greater sense of purpose. You’ll have the space to explore your passions, connect your interests with real-world issues, and mine experiences for meaning that will guide your leadership journey for years and decades to come.
- Confidence that you can make a difference in the world, backed by a portfolio with concrete stories that bring your strengths to life.
No matter your background or interests, the LEAD Honors Program aims to provide a springboard for future success and happiness. We are committed to doing all we can to help you wring the meaning out of your college experience, cultivate lasting relationships, and lead in whatever form the world needs from you.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Linfield Admissions or Dr. Patrick Cottrell, LEAD Honors Program Director.
Learn more about the application process