Each fall semester, the Staley School of Leadership Studies extends a unique invitation to junior and senior level students to serve as class leaders and teach alongside faculty for LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts.
The peer-led learning communities cultivated in this two-hour block over the course of a 15-week semester are highly beneficial to both the class leaders and the students taking the course. Those selected to serve as class leaders help to establish a safe and positive space for learning and self-growth by facilitating small group discussions, leading active-learning exercises, and empowering students in their leadership and academic endeavors.
Peer-led learning communities have shown to contribute to students’ overall collegiate success. Students have shown to perform better inside the classroom, have a greater sense of community, and grow in leadership efficacy by learning alongside peers.
Melissa Hollar, a senior in marketing with a minor in leadership, served as one of 50 class leaders this past fall semester of 2017. “It really helped me recognize how important building and maintaining strong relationships with people is to me,” Hollar said, “I’ve loved connecting with my students, seeing them around on campus, or answering questions about classes to take. Overall, being a class leader has been the most influential and impactful thing I’ve done since being at K-State.”
Adam Johnson, a senior in Bakery Science and Management, Food Science and Industry, and a minor in leadership, experienced many dimensions of growth through the experience of serving as a class leader.
“This position made me learn of my abilities as an individual and as a facilitator. It gave me so much confidence with my everyday life. Caring for others is an extremely important part of being human, and this role gave me the platform to do so, not only for my students, but for myself. I’ve learned so much from them and I loved this opportunity,” said Johnson.
Emily Polston, a senior in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies with a minor in nonprofit leadership, found that serving as a class leader allowed her to help educate students about the importance of engaging in difficult conversations and using that to bring about productivity and change through dialogue and locating common understanding.
“The most profound learning that occurred for me during my time as a class leader involved interacting with differences. The students that I was able to interact with in my learning community allowed me to continue my personal growth alongside theirs and it was such an incredible experience,” said Polston.
The Staley School of Leadership Studies is seeking applicants to serve as LEAD 212 class leaders for the 2018 fall semester. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, you can find the application packet and additional information at
Applications are due by noon on Friday, February 9 and will be submitted electronically.
For any questions, please contact Tamara Bauer at tamara@ksu.edu. We look forward to receiving your application!
Fall 2017 LEAD 212 Class Leaders
Deneisha Abercrombie
Ashley Anderson
Taylor Anderson
Suvana Badgett
Molly Banwart
Maren Berblinger
Jacob Boyce
Tori Burkhart
Hannah Carlgren
Josh Carlgren
Adam Carr
Christian Carter
Gabrielle Coleman
Connor Davis
Madison Degnan
TJ Eccles
Larissa Ester
Jessica Franzen
Alyssa Frey
Marisol Garcia
Lauren Gay
Amanda Goebel
Adrianna Gordey
Paige Gumpenberger
Rachel Herter
Mackenzie Holcomb
Melissa Hollar
Kevin Hurt
Adam Johnson
Bailey Johnson
Kelly King
Emily Klesner
Elyssa Kohler
Breanne Lombard
Charday Long
Rebekah Mally
Lauren Mertz
Justine Moore
Chloe Nelson
Paige Nickell
Madison Ogle
Mackenzie Pepper
Sydney Peterson
Katie Philips
Emily Polston
Madeline Salerno
Kennedy Schmitt
Summer Smith
Sarah Steiner
Jensen Strasser
Loan Tang
Kylie Taylor
Mia Taylor
LeAnn Walker
Madeline Wilson
Rachel Wittry