Center for Innovative Leadership Development

Mission Statement

The Center for Innovative Leadership Development is Gardner-Webb University’s catalyst for developing skills of local leaders with proven methods that focus on transforming essential community functions and improving the results and quality of life that communities enjoy.

Vision Statement

The Center for Innovative Leadership Development links university resources in creative efforts to impact the major human and social needs of specific communities and the region. An increasing number of local leaders whose skills are growing and being applied in their personal and collective areas of responsibility will provide new leverage in transforming relationships and practices, bridging the organizational silos that separate dedicated personnel in their work to serve the public , uniting communities to address fundamental issues including racial, class, and power divides. New individual and collective leadership skills will increase local capacity necessary to make vital, measurable improvements that lead to spiritual, economic, and educational growth. Youth and young adults play a central role in shaping and implementing transformational strategies.

Goals

• Increase high school graduation rates.
• Increase rate of young adults successfully securing higher education and job readiness training.
• Increase practices of transformational leadership.
• Provide comprehensive training to develop the necessary skills to lead reform initiatives.
• Increase the level of engagement in schools and the local community-based organizations.
• Support and, where appropriate, lead community initiatives to reduce crime and teen pregnancy rates.
• Serve as a beacon for individual and collective efficacy in the work environment.
• Equip educators with best practices with respect to creating a high performance learning environment.
• Be a catalyst for change and educate, promote, and mentor change agents.
• Promote creativity/ingenuity in meeting today’s challenges.

Programs/Events

• Regional conferences
• Leadership development activities (face to face, internet facilitated, etc)
• Evaluation research documenting transformational leadership strategies and results
• Public awareness campaigns for promoting what works to build leaders and transform communities
• Consultation