What do we mean by ‘leadership’ when talking about college? Is it an academic track? Or an extracurricular program? Or a role you step into? Much of the time, it’s all of the above. Leaders aren’t born, they are made — and the 10 colleges we’ve listed below want to turn their students into leaders and are putting in the time to make it happen. From majors to certificates to summer programs, these schools go above and beyond to produce effective and ethical leaders who will go on to shape the communities, companies, and organizations they work in.
If you see yourself as a leader, send us an email. We help students chart a course towards success.
Harvard University— Cambridge, Massachusetts
Students at Harvard are encouraged to cultivate a “spirit of service,” and the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship supports public service efforts for students at the college. The Phillips Brooks House Association is “the largest student-run, community-based, nonprofit public service organization at Harvard College,” and works in the Boston area to address resource gaps. In the Institute of Politics, students are united with leading academics, politicians, and activists to learn about public service and leadership as a career path.
University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The McNulty Leadership Program at the Wharton School is a leading leadership (ha!) program and isn’t the only program at Wharton that packs a punch. Wharton Leadership Ventures takes small groups of students out into the world to challenge themselves through expeditions up to 10 days in length, with a particular focus on learning from stressful situations. Between 6 and 8 freshman and sophomore leaders are selected as Venture Fellows each year, and represent the best leaders from their classes.
George Washington University — Washington, DC
The Leadership Exploration Certificate at George Washington is a program that can be added onto any major. The program takes “an intentional approach” to learning how to be an outstanding leader through workshops, discussions, and reflections at no additional cost. The program has tracks students can choose from. In the past these have included Emerging Leaders, a year-long program open to all students, and the Leadership for Liberation track, a seven-week intensive created for minority students
Duke University — Durham, North Carolina
The Hart Leadership Program in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke is open to all students and “challenges students to practice the art of leadership in public life.” The program includes courses, immersion experiences, writing, discussion, and mentor. Tens of thousands of Duke students have gone through the program, so it is time-tested and ultra-refined. You can also take advantage of the Service Opportunities in Leadership program, which pushes students even further through a year-long program.
Georgetown University — Washington, DC
Freshmen and sophomores at Georgetown are encouraged to apply for the Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholarship Programme, which involves an independent 6-week research project, leadership development workshops and seminars, and a 6-week Leadership-in-Auction experience — plus a summer stipend of $3,900. The Georgetown Opportunities for Leadership Development program also includes programs, mentorship, and networking.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, North Carolina
UNC Chapel Hill offers a major in Human and Organizational Leadership Development, which is a rare program at the undergraduate level. In the major, students are immersed in “organizational and leadership theory,” and will be prepared to lead teams in the for-profit or non-profit sector. Students who want leadership training without a major can explore the multitude of options in the Student Life and Leadership program, which offers for-credit courses like “Dynamics of Effective Leadership” and “Peer Leadership.”
Stanford University — Stanford, California
Stanford offers opportunities for leadership development across the university, including departmental peer mentoring, tutoring opportunities, and undergraduate advisory boards. The Leadership Intensive is a three-week summer program for sophomores, juniors, or seniors that is, they say, “as the name implies, intense.” Additional challenge, it’s in the great outdoors. First-year students who want to take on public-service roles at Stanford should also consider the Emerging Leaders Retreat through the Haas Center.
American University — Washington, DC
The Undergraduate Certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies in the School of Public Affairs was established in 1990 and has become a leader in the field of undergraduate leadership education. The program is application only, and students “complete two leadership projects to designed to build social capital” while taking courses like “Public Speaking” and “The Art and Craft of Lobbying.”
Columbia University — New York, New York
The Leadership Development and Rotational Programs at Columbia offer opportunities for mentorship and immersive experiences. It’s even common for companies in the program to hire interns, meaning it’s also a job pipeline with opportunities in manufacturing, finance, engineering, government, healthcare, marketing, and more. Like Georgetown, Columbia is also part of the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship Program.
Rice University — Houston, Texas
At Rice, they embrace the idea that leaders aren’t born, they’re made. The Office of Student Activities “endeavors to provide leadership theory and skill-based programs to develop the leadership abilities,” and students have plenty to choose from. The IMPACT Rice Retreat is a weekend leadership retreat for freshmen and sophomores, and coordinated by upperclassmen. The Lunch and Lead programs connect students around topics relevant to leadership, and the Center for Civic Leadership programs are open to all undergrads. You can even earn a Certificate in Civic Leadership.
If you’re aiming to be a leader in your future field, you need to learn how to walk the walk before you show up to your first day of work. Choosing the right college will empower you to be a changemaker from day one.
If you see yourself as leadership material, send us an email. We help students like you find, and get into, their perfect college.