Certificate in Leadership Studies

Undergraduate students can earn a Certificate in Leadership Studies through a combination of classes, skills-building groups, seminars, and student-designed leadership projects.

Guided by the philosophy that leadership cannot be separated from the individual, the institute helps each student develop her potential through personal growth. At BLI, we believe who a student leader is informs how she leads.

The Certificate in Leadership Studies (20 credit hours) gives students the opportunity to gain both practical and academic experience in leadership studies that serves as a perfect complement to any major field of study. Here’s what it entails:

Through the BLI’s innovative approach to higher education, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Introductory leadership seminars representing disciplines across the curriculum
  
• Courses offered through the BLI that help you develop a working knowledge of leadership theories and skills, as well as gain experience conducting a leadership project
• Lectures given by proven leaders in a variety of fields
• Further study of academic leadership theory in the context of your major/chosen disciplines
• Leadership capstone experience
  
   

What students say about the Batten Leadership Institute
Students discover that this ongoing, intensive leadership education and training serve them well after graduation in both their professional and personal life. 

"The Batten Leadership Institute has changed my life. Because of my experience here, I am willing to meet challenges, even when I have to address people in a position of authority."
—Bethany Ewing '05

"I have learned that it’s possible to lead quietly and effectively—I can still be me."
—Emmaline Simpson '07

"I have learned so much that I can apply to every other thing that I do—on campus and off. I know that I have grown so much from this and that it will have lifetime effects. It not only influences the way that I lead others, but how I lead myself in daily life. I just can’t say enough great things about BLI.”
—Sadie Tillery '05 

"I landed my internship because of the Batten Leadership Institute. When it came up during my interview, [the interviewer] was fascinated and said, 'This is exactly what we need!' He hired me right away."
—Emily Daniels '06 

"The skills I am learning in the Batten Leadership Institute are directly affecting my daily life in terms of how I interact with people, as well as how I deal with difficult situations.”
—Anna Copplestone '06

 "I can tell you, it will change your life."
—Jennifer Roberts '06

In Her Own Words
"In Batten we are not only learning about leadership theory and practice, we are learning about ourselves, our values, our passions, our strengths, and our weaknesses. We are developing our personal leadership style. So many doors are open to me that I never really recognized before. Many women struggle to find their voice and their place in this society. Thankfully, Hollins and Batten are ensuring that their students go out into the world empowered by the knowledge that they are leaders, and they can effect change. Seeing the scope of my possibilities, I feel confident that my time here will be well spent. Thank you, Batten, for holding the flashlight so that I don’t have to fumble in the dark and for turning on the microphone so that my voice can be heard."
—Gwen Fernandez '06

Fernandez is currently a programs assistant in the Office of the Curator, Supreme Court of the United States.

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Faculty and Staff

History of the Batten Leadership Institute

Certificate in Leadership Studies (for undergraduate students only)

Courses

Empowering Women to Make a Difference
(Watch the video)

Community Programs

Consulting

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Certificate in Professional Leadership

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BLI students with Suzanne Allen Redpath '69 (seated, left) senior coordinating producer of CBS's "48 Hours" and a Hollins University trustee.

Examples of Student Leadership Projects:

Student Coalition Against Viruses, Adware, and Spyware (SCAVAS)
Erin created the concept of SCAVAS and collaborated with computer services to take on this responsibility across campus. She worked with the development office to obtain funding and negotiated extra credit for a team of students in computer science class to eliminate viruses from student computers, infecting the campus network.

Language Tutoring Program
Gwen worked with the Center for Learning and Excellence in developing and running a free tutorial program for Hollins students who have difficulty with languages.

Active Volunteers Lead to Active Readers
Eleanor identified area public schools and students within those schools in need of reading materials. She collected donations of money and books and recruited volunteers to assist her with reading.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Project
A team of BLI students started an AIDS Awareness Coalition that coordinated awareness events and raised funds to benefit local and international organizations, including a trip to Africa where students worked to educate people about AIDS prevention.