Leadership is a journey. Each one of us has to take our own path, and get there our own way.
– David Gergen
Welcome College of DuPage
Leadership Scholars
This page is designed to provide additional resources to support your success in the
Leadership Development Course (Humanities 2210) at College of DuPage.
Check back for the Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
How this class is different
Prospective and current students: learn more about what it is like to take this course with me and how it may be different than other courses.
Living Leadership Program
Information about the Living Leadership Program and how this class fulfills many program requirements so you can earn a co-curricular certificate.
Clifton Strengths Coaching
I am a certified Clifton Strengths Coach and can provide students in the Leadership Course with additional individual coaching session(s) by request.
Put your leadership into practice
Learning to lead requires not only knowledge but also practice. Put your leadership into practice through campus involvement. What will your story be?
Basic needs security and extra support
If you or someone you know is in need of support accessing food or other basic needs like course materials, College of DuPage has resources to help.
Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:
As your instructor, I am deeply committed to serving all students and the diversity that each of you brings to this class is viewed as a strength. It is my intention to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, perspective, and other background characteristics. Ways to improve my approach are always welcome.
“Dr. Quirk made this class very exciting to attend, provided a helpful learning environment, and had us all engaged in every activity. She is one of my favorite professors that I have had at COD!“
– Former Student
More questions? Let’s talk –
How this class is different
I teach the Leadership Development class as a very student-led and interactive class. It is a very practical class to give you the tools and confidence to grow as a leader. I do not lecture, instead students lead the conversations we have in class each week (with guidance and support from me) based on course content. There is no book and instead our 11 leadership topics are outlined in Blackboard. Students write weekly journal entries about each topic as it relates to their own lives. We also do service-learning as part of this class so you will be able to put your leadership into action during the semester by volunteering (approximately 1 hour a week). We will also have the opportunity to learn from global leaders in Africa during the class through live zoom conversations. There are no midterms or exams, there is one final paper you will present at the end of class.
Living Leadership Program
The Living Leadership Program is a free non-transcript certificate program at College of DuPage focused on developing students into active leaders and positive change-makers. Students may begin the program at any time and completion of the requirements is self-paced. The program is divided into two phases to meet the diverse needs of College of DuPage students:
- Introduces you to leadership and focuses on leading of self and others through practical skill development workshops and involvement in campus life. Students who complete phase one are honored at the Annual Student Life Celebration and Awards Ceremony in the spring semester. After completing the portfolio students are also eligible to move on to Phase 2.
- Builds on your leadership experience by guiding you through expanded topics in leadership including servant leadership, ethical leadership, articulating a vision, and developing a personal leadership philosophy. Students are required to complete additional skills workshops, volunteer hours, and the Leadership Development class (Humanities 2210, 3 credits). Students who add the Living Leadership components to their leadership portfolio and capstone project receive a Living Leadership Certificate, a Living Leadership medal to wear at graduation, and will be honored at the Annual Student Life Celebration and Awards Ceremony in the spring semester.
Clifton Strengths Coaching
It only takes 177 questions to uncover the one true you. But it takes commitment to become the best you. Complete the CliftonStrengths assessment to unlock the personalized reports and resources you need to maximize your potential. Members of the Living Leadership Program seeking to complete the Phase 1 certificate must complete the Introduction to Clifton Strengths Assessment, workshop, and reflection to count towards their program progress. This workshop is offered during the Leadership Development class time so students in the class will automatically meet the workshop requirement.
Students seeking to go more in depth with their Strengths can set a follow up appointment for personal coaching AT NO COST.
Put your leadership into practice
Joining a campus group is a requirement of the Living Leadership Program and a great way to put your leadership from the class into practice. Interested in getting involved at COD and don’t know where to start? Fill out the Involvement Calculator and the Office of Student Life will recommend clubs and activities based on your interests!
Basic needs security and extra support
If you or someone you know needs support with basic needs, you can connect with our campus resources by visiting the College of DuPage website: Basic Needs. Get information about emergency funding, employment, Fuel Pantry (food pantry), clothing closets, healthcare, housing and utilities, income support, and technology resources (laptop and hotspot loans).
Stephanie Quirk 