Links
LAPD
Leadership
and Professional Development Program
Home
The
Leadership and Professional Development Program (LAPD) is a component of
the business curricula that all business majors must complete. It is designed to equip students with the
“soft” skills necessary to successfully begin and to advance in their
careers as responsible corporate and community citizens. Students are exposed to practical,
professional, and experiential knowledge to complement business content and
academic skills. The program ensures that students are adequately prepared
to meet and master the challenges of the professional world by
complementing their “book learning” with marketable life skills.
The series of courses begins with a self-development
course and ends with a required experiential learning component, which we
believe nurtures students’ professional maturity to enable them to handle
the pressures of a diverse and competitive workplace. Self-development, interpersonal
development, and leadership development form the foundation of the program.
LAPD students are also required to attend the weekly Executive
Speaker Series, where they receive advice and inspiration from
government and corporate executives.
Some of the business professionals who have served as presenters for
the Executive Speaker Series are pictured on the left of this
page.
The LAPD program consists of the following
components, all of which are required for all students in the Business
Program:
Professional Development I (SB
201) – a one-hour course for sophomores that
focus on self –development
Professional Development II (SB
301) – a one-hour
course for juniors that focus on interpersonal development
Professional Development III (SB
401) – a one-hour
course for seniors that focus on leadership development
Experiential Learning (SB 400)
– an internship that requires a minimum of 60 semester hours
The Executive Speaker Series –
a weekly program that brings industrial and political leaders to campus
|
The
Leadership and Professional Development Program (LAPD) is a component of
the business curricula that all business majors must complete. It is designed to equip students with the
“soft” skills necessary to successfully begin and to advance in their
careers as responsible corporate and community citizens. Students are exposed to practical,
professional, and experiential knowledge to complement business content and
academic skills. The program ensures that students are adequately prepared
to meet and master the challenges of the professional world by
complementing their “book learning” with marketable life skills. The series of courses begins with a self-development
course and ends with a required experiential learning component, which we
believe nurtures students’ professional maturity to enable them to handle
the pressures of a diverse and competitive workplace. Self-development, interpersonal
development, and leadership development form the foundation of the program.
LAPD students are also required to attend the weekly Executive
Speaker Series, where they receive advice and inspiration from
government and corporate executives.
Some of the business professionals who have served as presenters for
the Executive Speaker Series are pictured on the left of this
page. The LAPD program consists of the following
components, all of which are required for all students in the Business
Program: Professional Development I (SB
201) – a one-hour course for sophomores that
focus on self –development Professional Development II (SB
301) – a one-hour
course for juniors that focus on interpersonal development Professional Development III (SB
401) – a one-hour
course for seniors that focus on leadership development Experiential Learning (SB 400)
– an internship that requires a minimum of 60 semester hours The Executive Speaker Series –
a weekly program that brings industrial and political leaders to campus |
CEO, Sonoco
Vice President, Verizon
THE EXECUTIVE SPEAKER SERIES The Executive Speaker Series is an
important component of the LAPD Program.
Students are offered the opportunity to interact with role models,
mentors, and people that are genuinely interested in their education. Moreover, the Executive Speaker Series
facilitates the objective to promote the leadership development of students
by allowing them the opportunity to interact with senior level executives
who help provide an understanding of the various perspectives that form the
context of government and business.
The experience is designed to motivate students, help build
self-esteem, and serve as a catalyst in developing leadership qualities. This program also contributes to the
College’s objective to embrace students from various backgrounds in
developing their potential for careers in business and management by
continuously improving the quality of the instruction they receive. For example, the benefits of the series
to faculty may result in changes to the curriculum or facilitate the
development of vignettes and case studies.
The series is held each Wednesday at noon in the 4th
Floor Auditorium in Belcher Hall. Students are required to dress in business
attire each Wednesday for the Executive Speaker Series. 10:00 a.m.
- Executive meets with Dean
to get an overview of the business program and the agenda
for the day. 10:30 a.m.
- Executive meets with
faculty and administrative team. 11:00 a.m. –
Executive meets with a student roundtable. 12:00 noon - Executive speaks at the assembly
program, which is the highlight of the day with approximately
200 LAPD students attending. The
presentation includes information on various topics, such as current
business issues, research, his/her life experiences, job responsibilities,
or important business tips/opportunities. 1:00 p.m.
- Executive attends lunch
with selected faculty and students. 2:00 p.m.
- Executive participates in a
radio interview (WSSB - A National Public Radio Affiliate). 3:00 p.m.
- Executive closes with final
meeting and rap up with Dean.
A Typical Wednesday
Senior
VP, Pfizer
CEO,
The Lattimer Group GroupGGropuGroup
President, BellSouth
For more information on the LAPD
Program, contact: Dr. Ann S. Winstead at (803) 516-4864
CEO, DESA, Inc.