LEAD your way
INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE COLUMBIA COLLEGE
One Institute.
Four Centers.
Endless Connections to the real world. When it comes to life’s transitions, the key to success is being well-prepared for whatever happens next. At Columbia College, renowned for transforming the lives of young women by preparing them intellectually and practically for their futures, students benefit from one of the most all-encompassing and intensive personal development resources in the nation. Our Institute for Leadership and Professional Excellence provides an array of individualized services, programs, and opportunities for young women during some of the most important transitional moments of their lives—as they evolve from high school to college students, from academicminded to career-focused, and from college alumnae to confident and qualified professionals.
INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP
& PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE In collaboration with businesses, non-profit organizations, government and leaders in the community, the Institute is a powerful alliance of the region’s most vital contributors to economic, social, and personal growth. Through a team-centered approach, students, professors, professional staff, and mentors work together to prepare young women of exceptional potential to become young women with exceptional skills, poise, and ambition.
“For 160 years, Columbia College has been helping young women gain the knowledge and practical experience they need to lead successful, meaningful lives. The Institute plays a vital role in this mission, empowering our students now more than ever to be career-focused, career-confident, and ultimately career-ready.” Beth Dinndorf, J.D. president , columbia
college
The Institute is comprised of four centers, each with a distinct focus.
I
II
III
IV
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISING personal and career goals are set, honed, and pursued
CENTER FOR APPLIED LEARNING real life becomes the teacher through internships and field experiences
CENTER FOR CAREER COACHING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT young women become impressive communicators and confident self-advocates
CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP women of all ages build their capacity to lead and develop themselves and others
Leadership built on
EXPERIENCE
the institute provides a uniquely personalized approach to leadership development for women. The first step is getting to know each of our students. Yes, every single one. Our learning community is just the right size to make that possible. We know it sometimes takes just one experience to inspire a career path. Sometimes it takes six. By matching resources to a student’s dreams (and sometimes her fears), we help create those real world experiences that will guide her choices and build confidence. And Columbia College has an impressive network of resources to leverage, thanks to powerful partnerships with community leaders, top employers, trailblazing alumnae in every imaginable profession, and networks that extend throughout the nation and around the globe. Field experiences range from shadowing a pediatrician in a local family clinic to serving as the production intern for a National Geographic documentary to spending a summer working in the French Embassy. Some of the best field experiences start as a conversation like, “This might sound crazy, but what if. . .”
“I appreciate that everyone in the Institute knows my name. I’m grateful to have a personal and professional relationship with a group of tight-knit individuals.” Elizabeth Howe ’17 (right) momentum scholar
GETTING ENGAGED A relationship that builds, broadens, and deepens over time.
ith each of its four centers dedicated to a specific area of focus, the Institute meets students and the community wherever its expertise is needed. Engagement with students is intentional and strategic, pursuing a meticulous and deliberate plan for their leadership development. For all students, involvement with the Institute is a four-year commitment, with experiences and opportunities building upon each other as students experiment with ideas, learn from mentors, and hone their personal aspirations. Conversations between students and advisors begin the first semester of the first year, when broad consideration of a student’s interests and strengths guides more channeled discussions of career options and opportunities. As every young woman at Columbia College has a unique career path to success, the Institute helps each student carefully plan her own way.
“We want students to benefit from our intentional and continuous influence. This isn’t a last-minute “Oh, I need a resume” place. We’re doing nothing less than building the next generation of women leaders and professionals.” Kenetta Pierce, M.A., GCDF d i r ecto r , c ENTER FOR CAREER COACHING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE ECONOMY TOMORROW IS OUR CHALLENGE TODAY.
he Institute was created as a strategic response to the complex and competitive career environment young women increasingly face. Our team believes that a solid liberal arts education enhanced with real-world work experience gives students the best well-rounded preparation for a successful and satisfying future.
The dedicated team at the Institute is committed to helping every student leverage her Columbia College education to become: A CRITICAL THINKER who welcomes challenges ADAPTABLE AND AGILE at finding solutions CLEARLY EXPRESSIVE of her ideas and intentions Balanced in her commitment to ACADEMIC RIGOR and REAL-WORLD CAPABILITIES THOUGHTFUL about the advantages as well as consequences of her choices and decisions GOAL-DRIVEN and SELF-AWARE CAREER-MINDED according to her passions and individual strengths CONFIDENT in her readiness to contribute to her community, career, and family
THE
CENTERS A Closer Look
Center for Academic and Professional Advising after assigning each student her own personal board of directors—including an academic advisor from our faculty, a career coach specializing in the student’s area of professional interest, and an established community leader—this Center employs a team-based approach to high-contact academic counseling to ensure student success. The Center offers young women perspective, and insight, as they identify and pursue their personal and career goals. Long-term goal-setting based on personal desires, feasibility, and requirements Assessment and analysis of academic objectives Individualized academic and support plans for every student Recommendations for how to continue or elevate academic success Peer-mentoring programs, skills-based labs and workshops, stimulating lecture series Academic and career portfolios to document personal growth
“My mentee has rejuvenated and reinforced my excitement about the future of Columbia College. I’ve enjoyed sharing my own experiences and watching her take advantage of all that Columbia College has to offer as well as formulate the directions for her career.” Bootsie Wynn ’83 a ss i stant director business partner for human resources lexington medical center , sc
Scan to learn more about becoming a mentor.
Center for Applied Learning working in tandem with local business and community leaders to develop extensive, relevant, and hands-on learning opportunities, this Center functions as the hub for experiential activities, which include internships, job shadowing, service learning, and undergraduate research. The goals are exposure to and practice in multiple careers while modeling the behavior and gleaning the invaluable insights of professionals. The Center works as a trusted agent of coordination—arranging and evaluating all activities between students, faculty, and the business community. Opportunities for career exploration to foster passion for and confidence about the work students want to do Consideration of career options beyond the traditional or assumed trajectory Access to government and community resources and networks Connections with field-based projects, study-abroad, and unique applied-research experiences Emphasis on community service to develop a commitment to socially responsible leadership and civic engagement
Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development emphasizing high-level planning and research, this Center provides students full-service career preparation throughout their four years at Columbia College. Whatever industry or profession a student hopes to pursue, qualified coaches are ready to assist her in the basics of job readiness and offer invaluable insights about how to impress potential employers. To achieve the highest impact possible, this Center works with students at critical points throughout their college years, not just a few months before graduation. Personal interest inventories and data-driven assessments to determine best career matches Skill and personality diagnostics Comprehensive resumé preparation and interview practice Industry, employer, and graduate school searches based on career assessments Intensive coaching to help angle a student’s knowledge and experiences toward career success On-campus interviews, job fairs, and customized workshops
“At Columbia College, I have been able to experience future leaders who will be the change agents for many companies such as Verizon. The Columbia College students I have interacted with displayed what it means to be a leader. They are technically savvy, innovative, and adaptable.” Charles Kearse II n e a ta l ent acquisition team talent connector , v erizon
Center for Leadership as the institute’s primary avenue for community and partner outreach, this Center champions personal leadership among our students while empowering girls and women from all backgrounds—from middle school age to post-college professional women. With summer residential institutes for precollege women as well as programs embedded in local school districts, the Center helps lay an early groundwork for building personal, organizational, and servant leadership skills. For professional women and organizations, the Center’s customized programming and fostering of peer networks are key resources. Professional development workshops and certificate programs Executive coaching, mentoring, and qualitative organizational assessments Outreach programs, seminars, and networking events throughout South Carolina Initiatives to expand the influence of women and the awareness of obstacles to women’s leadership Residential summer programs for high school girls focused on the development of leadership skills
“Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to associate with Columbia College graduates on a personal and professional basis. I have consistently been impressed with the quality of these individuals in their competence, character, and leadership skills. Whether in a professional or civic relationship, or merely an acquaintance through my church or a personal relationship, these individuals have without fail displayed qualities that caused them to naturally be placed in leadership positions.” Lex Knox chairman and ceo , terminix services , inc . Sarah Williams ’14, McNair Scholar, future educator
TRANSFORMING HER FUTURE BY CONNECTING HER TO IT.
he institute for leadership and professional excellence is home to a myriad of resources and opportunities designed to help students focus thoughtfully on personal and career-oriented growth over a four-year period. At all times, the Institute is fostering vital connections between students and the right people—in the right places— in order to expose them to what professional work looks like, sounds like, and feels like, as well as what the expectations are for success. By connecting young women with exciting opportunities to prepare for their career, we help them arrive there ready to contribute and excel. Each and every student at Columbia College benefits from the Institute. There is no “opt out” provision, but it’s doubtful any student would choose one even if allowed. The unique and varied opportunities to learn, experiment, and practice leadership become treasured moments by students, who appreciate the full engagement of so many faculty, alumnae, and community leaders as mentors, coaches, and often lifelong friends.
Meet our students:
“When Columbia College’s liberal arts education is combined with our intense co-curricular leadership programs, there is a huge and positive impact on the lives of young women as well as the communities and economies in which they will one day live and work.” Christine LaCola, M.B.A.,Ed.D.
e x ec u t ive d i r ector , institute for leaders h ip & prof essional excellence
INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE COLUMBIA COLLEGE 1301 Columbia College Drive Columbia, SC 29203-9964 803.786.3719 | leadership@columbiasc.edu
www.columbiasc.edu/institute