New high-impact workshops expand leader development for students

All Cornell Engineering students – even those with little time to spare in their busy schedules – will soon have expanded access to high-quality training in key leader and team skills through new offerings from the college’s Engineering Leadership Program.

The new Leadership Skills Clinics offer small-group experiential training in a specific core area, such as managing conflict or giving feedback. Each one consists of two short seminars separated by a practice interval of up to three weeks, during which students will experiment with new skills in real-world settings.

For each clinic they complete, students will receive a digital micro-credential, which can be used on social media profiles, websites, and resumes. Those who successfully complete five Leadership Skills Clinics will also be awarded a digital Leadership Fundamentals Badge in recognition of their accomplishment.

“Our Leadership Skills Clinics are high-impact. Participants are expected to make measurable progress in only a few weeks. Because there’s a relatively low time commitment, we will empower even more Cornell Engineering students to stand out as excellent leaders and team members,” said Erica Dawson, the Nancy and Bob Selander Executive Director of the Engineering Leadership Program. “With the digital credentialing platform, students can build a portfolio that allows their achievements to be tracked, recognized, and rewarded.”

The inaugural Leadership Skills Clinics — “Listening for Leaders” and “Giving Effective Feedback” — will be held this spring. The clinics have no prerequisites and are open to all Cornell Engineering students. Each course will be capped at the first 40 students to enroll.

To register for clinics or to learn more, visit the Leadership Fundamentals Badge page.