Carnegie Foundation recognizes UC with Leadership for Public Purpose classification

This new designation — the Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification — identifies colleges and universities that have committed to campus-wide efforts to advance leadership in pursuit of public goods, such as justice, equity, diversity and liberty. UC is the only Ohio institution represented on the just-released list, while other national recipients include the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Helping to lead UC’s application for the designation was Donna Chrobot-Mason, associate professor of psychology in the College of Arts & Sciences and Thornburgh Academic Director of UC’s Warren Bennis Leadership Institute,

She said, “This Carnegie Classification highlights UC’s commitment to leveraging our faculty, staff, and student’s deep expertise and passion for solving real-world problems. UC is unique in that we excel at experiential learning — our students learn to be leaders during their time at UC through applied coursework, student projects, co-ops and internships, student organizations, and workshops and events such as those offered through WBLI. Receiving this 'stamp of approval' validates our commitment to Next Lives Here and the many unique opportunities we offer students to prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders.”

Providing leadership development opportunities for students is a long-standing tradition at UC. For instance, in 2015, students in the university's College of Engineering and Applied Science founded EnableUC, a student group dedicated to designing and providing affordable 3-D printed prosthetic devices for those in need that cost as little as $20. Above, the students leading the group presented to the university Board of Trustees in 2017, along with one of their clients, 3-year-old Ella Morton. Video/Jay Yocis for UC Marketing + Brand

Dean of UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business Marianne Lewis, professor of management, agreed, stating, “I’m grateful for UC’s excellence and dedication to developing tomorrow’s leaders to meet increasingly complex and competing demands — demands that place a premium on leadership for public purpose. Leadership is a powerful, interdisciplinary capability. Long integral to business, leadership is increasingly vital and trying as organization leaders strive to meet social and financial responsibilities, serve society and shareholders among their broadening array of stakeholders.

This elective designation to UC is awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University. It recognizes schools that foster leadership skills across the length and breadth of the teaching/learning and research mission; prepares students to be leaders for the public good in their careers, communities and society overall; and enhances public and scholarly awareness of leadership’s universal benefits while recognizing the social and political contexts in which leaders and leadership operates.

“These institutions have demonstrated a relentless commitment to fostering leaders dedicated to the pursuit of vital public goods. Students from these institutions will undoubtedly shape a brighter future for us all, upholding fundamental American values and advancing opportunity for the nation,” said Carnegie Foundation President Timothy F.C. Knowles.

UC’s Chrobot-Mason added, “At the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute, we define leadership as a set of outcomes and not a specific title, rank, or position. In other words, we can and should all be leaders — in our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and organizations.  Whenever we offer direction and set goals, align people to ensure work is accomplished, and hold ourselves and others accountable — this is leadership. At its core, leadership development is learning to lead oneself which is a journey that starts early and lasts a lifetime. Thus, leadership development is for everyone, regardless of career stage.”

• Arizona State University
• Boise State University
• California State University-Fresno
• Claremont McKenna College
• Creighton University
• East Carolina University
• Florida International University
• Fort Hays State University
• Gettysburg College
• James Madison University
• Miami Dade College
• Montclair State University
• Oklahoma State University
• Oral Roberts University
• Rice University
• Saint Peter’s University
• San Antonio College
• Simmons University
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Naval Academy
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Portland
• Valparaiso University
• Wartburg College

Featured image at top: UC Warren Bennis Leadership Institute 2023-24 student team. Photo/UC Warren Bennis Leadership Institute