Garthwait Leadership Development Philosophy

Ethical and effective leadership is a core value and a central theme of Gettysburg’s mission: “to prepare students to pursue lives of personal and professional fulfillment, and to engage the complex questions of our time through effective leadership and socially responsible citizenship.”

Leadership and leadership development

We believe leadership is ethical, inclusive, collaborative, and directed towards effecting change for the greater good. We believe:

• Leadership potential lies within everyone and can be learned
• Leadership is ethical and values-based
• Leadership is collaborative and group-oriented
• Leadership is about engaging difference
• Leadership is about empowering and serving with others
• Leadership is about taking action and making a difference

How leaders learn at Gettysburg College

Today’s generation of Gettysburgians aspires to be the leaders our world needs. At the Garthwait Leadership Center, we teach them how.

Students and young alumni engage with four primary questions which guide their leadership development.

1. Who am I as a leader? (identity)
2. What skills do I want to develop? (skills)
3. How do I define leadership? (worldview)
4. What do I know about how to lead? (theory)

We use a variety of theories/models and practices to engage students in leadership development which primarily include experiential learning (including reflection), outdoor education, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and self-assessment/feedback.

Five core areas

The leadership skills we teach at the GLC stem from five core areas.

Integrity

Owning and upholding a commitment to personal, group, and institutional values in thought and act, also known doing what you say you’re going to do (congruence).

Self-awareness

An ability to authentically and realistically assess who you are.

• Articulate values and beliefs
• Identify strengths and opportunities for growth and development
• Recognize the intersections of personal identity
• Practice self-reflection

Collaboration

An ability to work with others towards a common purpose.

• Facilitate a common purpose
• Appreciate & engage difference
• Model giving feedback
• Share power and authority

Impact

An ability to have an effect on others independent of formal power.

• Demonstrate effective communication
• Set the example for others
• Motivate others
• Mentor and coach others

Transformational action

An ability to see the big picture, develop a strategy, and facilitate change.

• Create a vision, goals, and a plan
• Develop skills and competencies to execute the plan
• Foster growth by realizing the potential of others
• Execute change with agility

Leadership skill development

We believe leadership isn’t about power—it’s about empowerment. This is where you’ll learn to lead with action and integrity, in service to others and to the world that awaits.

Working with both individuals and groups, the GLC provides a yearlong Leadership Certificate program, outdoor learning expeditions, one-on-one mentoring, skills-based coaching, and a wide variety of engagement offerings that help learners discover their authentic self and how their unique talents can make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

The goal of Ascent is to make the transition to college easier. Students build friendships, leadership skills, and self awareness by living and working together in novel and dynamic environments.

The Gettysburg College Leadership Certificate is a one-year program that provides first-year and second-year students the opportunity to tap into their leadership potential. Students explore how their talents, skills, values, and interests inform their leadership journey at Gettysburg and beyond.

The Group Facilitation Fellowship is an experience open to first- and second-year students selected through an application and interview process. You will develop group leadership, individual leadership and outdoor leadership facilitation skills.

The Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP) is designed to teach and engage approximately 8 selected participants the fundamental principles of outdoor leadership throughout the Fall semester.