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Now Accepting Applications for 2009-2010! Applications DUE Friday, April 10th Contact BLP@umb.edu with any questions!

 

Beacon Leadership Project
Campus Center, 2nd Floor, 2300.08
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
617-287-7953
blp@umb.edu

About the Beacon Leadership Project

 

The Beacon Leadership Project consists of two semesters.  The first semester provides the student with theories relating to leadership and group dynamics, and the second semester allows the student to experience leadership first-hand through the creation of a service learning project.

Fall Semester

Class meets once a week for an hour and a half.

• Class sessions include presentations from UMass Boston faculty and distinguished guests on a variety of topics related to leadership, such as: communication, theories of group dynamics, foundations of leadership skills,  critical and creative thinking, negotiation skills, conflict resolution, and leading diverse groups.
• Class sessions also include exercises that foster team building and help to develop effective group dynamics.
• Students submit weekly reflections as a method of processing new ideas and class material.

Fall Semester Competency

• Students are expected to meet the "Group Dynamics" competency for the fall semester, which states that the student "can apply knowledge about group theories, group skills, and group concepts in analyzing the dynamics of group behavior for the purpose of creating effective interventions or facilitation, including an analysis of roles you and others play in groups and an analysis of how groups develop."

Spring Semester Class meets once a week for an hour and a half. Class sessions are focused on providing resources and support for service learning projects. Service Learning Projects Students form groups of 2-4 members and identify a need within the UMass Boston or local community and develop a plan to address this need in a new or modified way.

Spring Semester Competency

• Students are expected to meet the "Public and Community Action I" competency for the spring semester, which states that the student "can participate in carrying out constructive action intended for the benefit of others, reflect on what was learned in the process, and generalize that learning so it can be applied in other situations."

Credit Information

• The BLP is housed in the College of Public and Community Service (CPCS).  BLP students will receive a "complete" if they successfully meet course requirements for each semester.  For non-CPCS students, the "complete" will be transferred to 3 credits at the end of each semester. 

Overall Skills & Benefits of the BLP

• Networking.  Get to know students and staff in the UMass Boston community!
• Leadership skills that you can carry with you through your life as both a student and in the professional world!
• Public speaking.
• Resume writing.

"Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future."

-Edwin H. Friedman-