Leadership Institute Marks 15th Year

Instructors guided 28 undergraduate student participants, including 23 Honors students, in this year’s Institute of Leadership Excellence (ILE), a weeklong immersive course developed in 2005 by a cross-disciplinary task force of faculty and staff.

Described as “a fantastic experience” by one participant, the institute is designed to provide an intensive, unique, and interdisciplinary totalimmersion experience in leadership and leadership development for promising undergraduate students from across the University.

The Honors College and the Jones College of Business have partnered in the yearly endeavor. Classes are led by business faculty, and books and professional padfolios are furnished by the Honors College for every student. The Honors College also provides breakfast and snacks each day and scholarships for all Honors students taking the class.

Sierra Cruz (l–r), Madeline Aadnes, Catherine Bolick, Miquelle Bonner, and Elizabeth Clippard

The institute, held 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily May 17–21, allowed students to study leadership theory and practice through a combination of lecture, discussion, activities, speakers, and interaction with classmates—all with a clear focus on application and experiential learning.

All eligible MTSU undergraduates can apply to attend; University Honors College faculty and ILE alumni also can nominate potential applicants. Eligible students must have completed 45 credit hours before the first day and have either a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or a nomination from a faculty member or institute graduate.

Organizers invite successful individuals in a variety of fields to come to the institute during “working” lunches as well as other times during the week to share their thoughts on leadership.

In its 15th year, the Institute of Leadership Excellence was first held in 2006 and has convened every year since 2008.

Learn more at mtsu.edu/ile