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Leadership is within us all.

The Center for Leadership, founded in fall 2020 under the direction of then Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano, serves as a multidisciplinary leadership hub to support, connect, and elevate leadership programs, resources, and research across the university.

We exist to help all students reach their leadership potential, in alignment with the Chancellor'sÌýstrategic priority of being a student-centered campus community. We also engage faculty, staff, and the broader external community in their leadership development so they can have a greater impact around the world. As an incubator for scholarship on leadership, we seek to bolster rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry to showcase Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder faculty research.

The Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ conceptualizes leadership as an ethical, relational, and developmental process through which individuals cultivate the capacity to advance the collective good across diverse social, civic, and professional contexts. Leadership at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder is understood not as positional authority, but as responsibility, grounded in values, equity, and accountability to others, and is intentionally developed to prepare graduates and campus stakeholders to exercise leadership across sectors in service of the public good.

Mission & Vision

ÌýÌý Our mission is to invest in the leadership potential of all students and elevate leadership education at the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ through collaboration with internal and external communities.

ÌýÌý Our vision is aÌýworld where leaders of character meet the needs of humanity.

How We Lead

Our PEAK Model is the foundation of everything we do:

• Pathways: We ensure every student has an entry point into leadership development, tailored to their interests and aspirations—no matter their background or experience. Through over 40 affiliate programs, flexible entry points like the Boulder-Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØLeadership Program and Emerging Leaders Academy, and inspiring public events like the Leo Hill Speaker Series, we make leadership accessible, inclusive, and personal.
• Education: We offer both academic and experiential leadership programs to help students grow with purpose. These programs combine theory with hands-on learning to help students lead with confidence and impact.
• Affiliates: We partner with over 40 campus programs to create a diverse leadership ecosystem. This collaboration makes leadership education accessible and relevant to all students. In offering shared resources, professional development, and exclusive opportunities like the Newton Fellowship we are able to offer opportunities deepen impact and collaboration across disciplines.
• Knowledge: We integrate research into every aspect of leadership education. By collaborating with faculty and students on cutting-edge projects, applying data-driven insights, and using rigorous evaluation methods, we ensure our programs are grounded in theory and continuously improving. This commitment to evidence-based practice helps us stay at the forefront of leadership development.

Our Leadership Competencies

Leading Self

Character: Develops and clarifies a personal leadership code based on values and ethics. Takes initiative, exercises leadership, and assumes responsibility.

• Clear understanding of values.
• Decisions that align with values.
• Others can recognize values through actions.

Career and Self-Development: Acquires work-related skills and knowledge. Proactively seeks opportunities for personal and professional growth.

• Takes advantage of opportunities to develop personal or professional skills.
• Makes an effort to learn something new every day.
• Actively seeks out opportunities to improve.

Resilience: Adapts effectively to change, manages pressure, and copes well with setbacks. Prioritizes well-being and maintains perseverance.

• Recover quickly when things don’t go as planned.
• After a setback, find ways to move forward.
• Failure does not discourage from trying again.

Leading Others

Teamwork: Works effectively with others, prioritizing collaboration and shared success. Builds strong relationships with individuals and teams.

• Works well in group settings.
• When working in a team, maintains a balanced role without dominating.
• Contributes fair share of the workload on teams.

Communication: Speaks clearly and effectively. Engages others through confident, persuasive, and meaningful interactions.

• Communication is clear and to the point.
• People easily understand messages when information is shared.
• Others appear engaged and interested when communicating with them.

Inclusion: Demonstrates openness, respect, and the ability to create an inclusive environment. Values diverse perspectives and fosters belonging.

• Create a welcoming environment for others.
• Strives to help others feel a sense of belonging.
• Actively includes those who may feel isolated.

Leading Change

Critical Thinking: Thinks critically and analytically to make informed decisions. Identifies key issues and applies expertise effectively.

• Recognizes patterns and trends across different sources of information.
• When reviewing information, focuses on details to deepen understanding.
• Identifies the most important insights from large amounts of information.Ìý

Innovation and Creativity: Approaches real-world challenges with creativity and adaptability. Embraces new ideas and drives meaningful change.

• Easily comes up with innovative ideas.
• Skilled at brainstorming solutions.
• Thinks outside the box to solve problems.

Civic Engagement: Strives to be an informed and active citizen, contributing positively to society. Takes a thoughtful, organized approach to making an impact on society.

• Makes an effort to contribute to the well-being of society, even in small ways.
• Before taking action, considers its potential impact on society as a whole.
• Strives to avoid actions that could negatively affect society.