LAS 151: Dean’s Leadership Seminar

Overview

Students engage with Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and her invited guests to learn leadership lessons that will be relevant in their time at Iowa State University and beyond. As part of this unique opportunity, students interact with experienced leaders and explore their own leadership strengths. This one-credit-hour class is designed to give insight into how the university works while also helping students grow and develop individually. The class meets once a week in the fall semester. Designed to supplement students’ existing coursework, the class fits into the schedule of any student taking 18 credits or less.

This class focuses on exploring leadership through applied examples, including the importance of community, communication, trust, shared responsibility, modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act, and encouraging the heart. In-class activities are designed to inspire students to become better leaders and help students recognize their own leadership abilities.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course each student will:

  • Describe and apply the principles behind the 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership
  • Evaluate one’s own leadership practices and how to improve upon them
  • Examine and articulate one’s own emotional intelligence
  • Create an academic/leadership plan to maximize your experience at Iowa State University
  • Recognize the vast leadership roles and leadership opportunities at Iowa State University
Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

About the Dean

Professor Beate Schmittmann became dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in April 2012. She earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Prior to joining Iowa State, Dr. Schmittmann was a member of the physics faculty at Virginia Tech. As a leader of Virginia Tech’s ADVANCE program, she was instrumental in effecting policy and climate change for all faculty, and especially for women in science and engineering. Having worked in three countries, Dr. Schmittman brings an international perspective to this class.

Enrolling in the course

This course is available to selected undergraduate students majoring within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The selection process is coordinated by the Leadership Studies Program. Students must be able to meet on Wednesdays from 4:10-5:00 to participate in this seminar.

To apply for the Dean’s Leadership Seminar, please complete the online application. For guaranteed consideration, applications should be submitted by June 30. The application will remain open until all spaces are filled.

Approximately 25 students will be selected. Students will be notified in early August regarding their selection to the course.

For questions, please contact:
Katie Friesen
Graduate Assistant, Leadership Studies Program
kfriesen@iastate.edu