As we look ahead to the start of the Fall 2025 semester, I am excited to get back in the classroom and want to extend a personal invitation to all Western Michigan University (WMU) undergraduates: join me this semester for two courses that will change the way you think about leadership—and yourself.

Whether you’re a first-year student still figuring out your path or a junior or senior looking to deepen your voice and impact, the courses I’m teaching this fall offer something rare in higher education: the chance to think deeply, act boldly, and lead ethically. These are not your typical lecture-heavy classes. They are interactive, challenging, and rooted in the belief that leadership is for everyone—not just those with formal titles or roles.

These courses are part of the Leadership for Social Change Minor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology at WMU, and they are designed to equip students with the tools they need to lead effectively in our rapidly changing world.

Course One: Exploring Leadership in a Changing World (EDLD 2000)

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of leader you are—or could be—this course is your starting point.

EDLD 2000: Exploring Leadership in a Changing World is an introduction to the theories, practices, and real-world applications of leadership. But don’t expect to just read textbooks and take quizzes. This course is designed to be experiential. Students explore their own leadership values, take the CliftonStrengths assessment to understand their unique talents, and build communication skills essential for leadership in today’s digital and in-person environments.

We meet in a hybrid format—with both in-person and online sessions—to provide flexibility while maintaining strong community and engagement. Whether it’s through discussions, leadership case studies, interviews with real leaders, or innovative multimedia presentations, students walk away from this course with not only academic knowledge but a clear sense of who they are as leaders and how they can create change on campus, in their careers, and in the world.

This course also fulfills the WMU Essential Studies Level I: Oral and Digital Communication requirement, meaning students build communication skills that are directly applicable to professional life, regardless of major.

Course Two: Leadership and Advocacy for a Diverse Society (EDLD 3020)

For students who are ready to go further, EDLD 3020: Leadership and Advocacy for a Diverse Society builds on the foundational ideas of EDLD 2000 and challenges students to take action.

This course focuses on leadership in global and diverse contexts. It emphasizes the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, a framework that is values-based, collaborative, and action-oriented. It also centers equity and inclusion—not just as buzzwords but as practical skills and commitments that shape how leaders operate.

In this course, students will work on a service-learning project and a Global Advocacy Project linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These are not hypothetical assignments—they are hands-on, student-designed efforts to address real social and environmental issues, both locally and globally.

We meet in-person on select Wednesdays throughout the semester, and the rest of the work takes place online, allowing students to blend flexibility with the power of in-person collaboration.

EDLD 3020 satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level III: Connections – Global Perspectives, making it an ideal choice for students seeking to fulfill graduation requirements while developing meaningful and transferable skills in global awareness, teamwork, advocacy, and digital communication.

Why I’m Excited to Teach These Courses

Over the past 18 years, I’ve served seven major leadership roles in higher education: provost, dean, vice-chair, program director, policy center director, associate director, and program chair. I’ve taught and led at some of the nation’s most prominent institutions, including WMU, the University of Texas at Austin, California State University, and the University of Kentucky. I’ve worked across R1 and R2 institutions, Minority Serving Institutions, and regional comprehensives—each with its own unique culture and student body.

But here’s what all that experience has taught me: the most transformative learning happens when students are not just passive recipients of information but are active participants in their own leadership journey. That’s why I’m so passionate about these two courses.

I’ve seen what happens when students discover that leadership is not just about power or position—it’s about purpose. It’s about learning how to communicate clearly, act ethically, collaborate across difference, and advocate for others. Whether you’re planning to be a teacher, engineer, business leader, artist, or scientist, these are the skills that will set you apart—and these are the skills we build in EDLD 2000 and EDLD 3020.

I’ve also spent my career advocating for education equity at the highest levels—testifying before Congress, serving on state and national education boards, and leading civil rights and education initiatives with the NAACP and other organizations. But some of the most meaningful leadership I’ve witnessed has come from students—when they find their voice, their passion, and their purpose.

That’s why I’m so excited to meet and mentor a new group of Broncos this fall who are ready to step into their leadership journey.

Who Should Enroll?

These courses are for WMU undergraduate students who:

• Want to make a difference—in their communities, their careers, and the world.
• Are curious about leadership and ready to reflect on their values, strengths, and goals.
• Believe that leadership should be inclusive, ethical, and rooted in service and justice.
• Want to learn in a supportive environment that values collaboration and real-world learning.

Whether you’re majoring in education, business, engineering, psychology, social work, communication, or anything else—leadership matters. These courses help you develop the kind of cross-cutting competencies that employers, graduate programs, and community organizations are all looking for.

And just to be clear—these courses are only open to enrolled WMU students. If you’re not a Bronco yet, consider applying. If you are, this is your moment.

Final Thoughts

Fall 2025 is shaping up to be a powerful semester at WMU. I hope you’ll be part of it.

If you’re already a student at WMU, I encourage you to talk to your advisor about adding EDLD 2000 or EDLD 3020—or both—to your schedule. If you know someone who’s attending WMU this fall, let them know about these unique opportunities.

The world needs leaders who are thoughtful, inclusive, and prepared to take action. These courses are where that kind of leadership begins.

I’ll see you in class.