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Institute for Leadership Studies

Creating capacity for thriving in the face of challenge, conflict, and change.

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ILS Mission

Institute for Leadership Studies

In the Institute for Leadership Studies we work on "creating the capacity for Jayhawks to thrive in the face of challenge, conflict, and change!"
ILS Mission
Leadership Engagement Certificate and Leadership Studies Minor

Undergraduate Students

Hello undergraduate students! Do you want to add a minor or certificate to your degree? Check out our Leadership Studies Minor and Leadership Studies Certificate. Both programs offer a variety of courses and leadership opportunities.
Find out more about our undergraduate student options
LDST 799? Black Women in Leadership

Madame President? LDST 799: Black Women in Leadership

Interested in taking a course that will talk about leadership from a womanist lens? Enroll in LDST 799: Black Women in Leadership. Students will engage in deep self-exploration, be able to model how different leadership styles can be used to create social change and identify pertinent Black women and their leadership styles and discern the success, failure, and opposition resulting from their ideas and methodologies, and apply critical analysis to required readings and writing assignments.

Interested in Leadership Studies?

Learn more about our Undergraduate and Graduate programs and schedule a meeting with an advisor.
Undergraduate Studies Undergraduate Studies
Graduate Studies Graduate Studies
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Fall trees, Fraser Hall, Campanile

See Yourself

The ILS is the interdisciplinary academic home for leadership studies at KU that supports KU's mission of educating students who can effectively engage in the process of leadership with innovative, interdisciplinary academic programs. Through the ILS these academic programs are collaboratively designed to educate and prepare students to make a difference from where they are and with what they have, developing the courage and leadership skills to ignite positive change.

Alumni & Friends Testimonials
Jayhawk in Cap and Gown

Meet Leonor Ramos-Salamanca

A senior from Johnson majoring in psychology. While at KU, she met individuals who motivated and inspired her to set goals that go beyond her own expectations.

Learn more about Leonor

Kelly Houghteling, Deputy Town Administrator

HAWKS to WATCH: Kelly Houghteling

Deputy Town Administrator, Kelly Houghteling shares with us her exciting story.

Check out her story

Leadership Studies Degrees and Programs