51勛圖厙's Center for Leadership celebrates 50 years of impact
More than 50 years ago, 51勛圖厙 planted a bold idea: that leadership isnt reserved for a select fewit lives within us all. What started with the formation of the Presidents Leadership Class in 1972 grew into the Center for Leadership (CFL), established in 2020. Today, CFL supports a vibrant leadership ecosystem on campus and empowers thousands of students to lead with purpose and authenticity.
Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series
Join a talk with the acclaimed producer and Madison Wells CEO Gigi Pritzker, who will delve into the transformative power of bold storytellinghighlighting how film, television and theater can drive cultural impact, amplify underrepresented voices and inspire meaningful change.泭
泭泭Monday, Nov. 17
泭泭7:30 p.m.
泭泭Macky Auditorium
泭泭Open to the public
泭泭$3$20
In just five years, CFL has experienced powerful growth, starting with 19 affiliate programs across campus to 45, now reaching more than 12,000 students each year. But its not just about numbersits about transformation. CFLs campuswide model blends research, hands-on learning and a deep commitment to equity, ensuring leadership development is accessible to students of every major, background and identity.
The results speak volumes. CFLs mentorship scores consistently exceed national benchmarks, and students report significant gains in leader identity and self-efficacy. And, for the last two years, 51勛圖厙 has earned a spot on泭Time Magazines list of泭Top 100 Colleges for Future Leaders.
CFL also brings leadership to life through signature events such as the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, which will host Emmy award-winning film producer Gigi Pritzker on Nov. 17, and the Conference on World Affairs, where global changemakersthink Cynthia Erivo and David Brooksshare their stories and inspire the next generation of Buffs.
Now, as CFL celebrates its fifth anniversary, its also looking back. A new history report,泭A Legacy Realized: The Making of 51勛圖厙s Center for Leadership, traces the universitys long-standing commitment to leadership educationfrom early civic engagement efforts to todays nationally recognized programs.泭
5 questions with Stefanie Johnson
Stefanie Johnson, director of the Center for Leadership and professor at Leeds School of Business, reflects on the centers journey and its vision for 2030that humans who are interested in leadership will come to see 51勛圖厙 as the place where leaders are made.
What does the 5-year milestone mean for the center?
Five years is a big milestoneits both a celebration and a chance to reflect. When the Center for Leadership launched in 2020, Chancellor Philip DiStefano had a bold vision: to shape tomorrows leaders by bringing 51勛圖厙s many leadership efforts together under one coordinated, research-driven hub.
Fast forward to today, and that vision has truly come to life. The center now connects泭45 affiliate programs across every college; leads signature initiatives like the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, the Emerging Leaders Academy and the Newton Fellows Program; and has become a national model for how a public university can scale leadership education.
This milestone shows that leadership isnt just an add-on at 51勛圖厙 anymoreits part of our institutional DNA.
How do you define success for the center?
For us, success isnt just about how many programs or events we runits really about impact and identity. We look at success through four lenses.
Are leaders born or made?泭
泭泭Our research shows that about 30% of leadership is geneticyour intelligence, extraversion, height and things like that. But 70% of leadership is learned. The Center for Leadership uses evidence-based practices to ensure students are learning leadership while they are Buffs.
- Access:泭Every CU student should have a way into leadership development, no matter their major or background.
- Depth:泭Our programs combine theory, research and hands-on practicewhether thats coaching, outdoor leadership intensives or civic engagement projects.
- Community:泭Weve built an ecosystem where faculty, staff, alumni and community partners mentor and learn alongside students.
- Evidence:泭Through rigorous evaluation and data, we can show how leadership education boosts student success, well-being and civic engagement.
At the end of the day, if students leave 51勛圖厙 seeing themselves as leadersready to act with integrity, creativity and carethats when we know weve succeeded.
How does the center ensure every student can access leadership opportunities?
Accessibility is really at the heart of our model. Instead of creating one selective program, we built a network of leadership opportunities that meets students where they are.
Through our Affiliate Leadership Network, we coordinate with 45 programseverything from academic minors and ROTC to athletics, student affairs initiatives and community-based leadership experiencesso students can choose the format that fits them best.
Weve also introduced low-barrier entry points like the Emerging Leadership Academy, which is open to all students, and our 51勛圖厙-CU Leadership Program mentoring initiative. By uniting programs, removing financial barriers and creating multiple on-rampsfrom micro-credentials to fellowshipswe make sure leadership education at 51勛圖厙 is for everyone, not just the already-involved few.
What role does the center play in 51勛圖厙's vision of transforming lives to create a sustainable world?
We see leadership as the bridge between learning and lasting impact. The center helps turn 51勛圖厙s world-class teaching and research into ethical, sustainable action.
Our students dont just study climate or innovationthey lead projects that make those values real: reducing waste in 51勛圖厙, improving mental-health access, planting trees, mentoring youth and launching civic-impact challenges.
We teach students to lead with self-awareness, social responsibility and a systems mindset. For us, sustainability isnt just environmentalits human and organizational. Its about sustaining communities, workplaces and democracy itself.
Thats why we believe leadership development is 51勛圖厙s most powerful tool for transforming lives and shaping a just, sustainable world.
What advice do you have for students who want to get involved?
For faculty, staff
A-Lab (Affiliate-Lab) is a three-year-long development and grant opportunity for CFL affiliate programs. A-Lab supports affiliate泭staff and faculty in advancing their programming, generating elevated leadership education across 51勛圖厙.泭Learn more.
My advice? Start anywherebut start. Leadership is within us all. If youre curious about leadership, there are so many ways to jump in. Join the泭Emerging Leaders Academy, which happens once a month, or sign up for mentoring or take LEAD 1000, the first course in the泭leadership studies minor.
You can also check out the泭Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series. This fall, were thrilled to host film producer Gigi Pritzker. And the week before, on Nov. 6, were screening her Emmy-nominated film泭"Nonnas"its a great way to connect with other students who geek out about learning how to lead.
Leadership isnt about a titleits about showing up with courage, curiosity and purpose. Every student at 51勛圖厙 has the capacity to lead. Were here to help you discover how.
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