Samantha Krupa of Union, N.J. Completes LEADERworks Certificate at Widener University

2014 May 10

Samantha Krupa of Union, N.J., a sophomore psychology major at Widener University, is among the first nine students to earn a certificate through LEADERworks, the univerisity's leadership certificate program offered through the Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener.

According to Dr. Arthur Schwartz, executive director of the Oskin Leadership Institute, the LEADERworks certificate program was designed to be completed in two years. In the pilot year of the program, 595 undergraduate students participated in at least one of 158 leadership workshops offered by the institute.

"We never anticipated students earning the certificate in one year, but these nine students would not be denied," Schwartz said. "I think that demonstrates our students' strong desire for leadership training and experiences that will help differentiate them in the job market and inspire them to be leaders in their professions and in their communities."

To earn the LEADERworks certificate, students must complete 15 one-hour workshops through the Oskin Leadership Institute on a variety of leadership-related topics including ethical fitness, personal courage, leadership myths and stereotypes, leading groups, decision making, and peer leadership, among others.

Students must then develop their own leadership philosophy that addresses the competencies and challenges of leading oneself, leading others or leading change. Students present and explain their leadership philosophy at a ceremony and receive their LEADERworks Certificate.

Schwartz said plans are in the works to expand the program next year including integrating more of the leadership workshops into the curriculum and expanding workshop options.

Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener comprises eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate's, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton, and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve some 6,300 students. Widener is proud to be a tobacco-free university. Visit the university website, www.widener.edu.

###