Welcome to the Leadership Learning Research Center!
The Leadership Learning Research Center's mission is to inform and support scholars, educators, and practitioners regarding leadership teaching and learning through scholarship, curriculum development, and consultation. The strength of the LLRC resides in its theory-to-practice-to-theory framework, where research is directly applied to both curricular and co-curricular leadership education.
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We accomplish this mission by:
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The LLRC is in partnership with the College of Education and the Division of Student Affairs, aligned with our approach and commitment to integrative learning.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies is a 12-credit program open to all Florida State undergraduate students. The certificate program prepares students for leadership in multiple contexts and uses practical experience and service-learning projects to frame leadership learning within the context of social change. Upon completion, the Leadership Certificate appears on students’ academic transcripts.
Why the Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies?
- It provides opportunities to learn specific knowledge, skills, and values that can guide you through your collegiate journey and career path.
- It can supplement and enhance any major.
- Classes discuss various leadership theories and leadership in the context of social change.
- It provides opportunities for practical leadership and service-learning experiences.
- Upon completion, the Leadership Certificate will appear on your academic transcript.
Enrolling in the program
Each student who is interested in pursuing the Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies must schedule an advising session prior to the end of their first semester in an LDR course. For more information on the certificate program and to schedule and advising appointment, please email Leadership-Studies@fsu.edu.
Teaching
Each semester we identify several second-year master's students in the higher education program to serve as teaching assistants in the undergraduate Leadership Studies courses. These graduate students are able to apply their personal leadership learning gained in EDH Leadership Theory and Practice, a required course in their degree program.
Course Development
We actively research and develop leadership studies courses offered to the undergraduate students across the campus.
Certificate in Leadership Studies Courses
The Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies is a 12-credit program open to all Florida State undergraduate students. Three required courses and one elective course with an LDR prefix.
Three Required Courses
LDR 2101 - Leadership Theory and Practice1 (3)
Leadership Theory and Practice is designed to introduce students to leadership theory and help them come to understand their unique role in leadership on campus, in their academic discipline, and within our larger society. This course is offered online.
LDR 3215 - Leadership and Change1 (3)
Leadership and Change is an advanced undergraduate leadership course that examines the change process and prepares leaders who are effective in working with individuals, groups and organizations in leading and managing change. The course is designed to be an interactive theory-to-practice course focused on leadership as a change process. This course is offered in person twice a week for 75 minutes.
LDR 3221 – Contemporary Issues in Leadership (3)
This course explores current issues in the campus, local, and global community and analyzes how leadership is being enacted. Students learn leadership theory and to identify and critically think about how it is displayed, especially within the context of current issues.
One Elective Course
LDR 2162 - Leadership in Groups and Communities1 (3)
Leadership in Groups and Communities is designed to inspire, teach and engage students in the process of leadership through service-learning. The course will be highly interactive with student participation and outside class involvement as critical components of the learning process. This course is offered in person twice a week for 75 minutes.
LDR 2231 – Global Leadership (3)
This course will help students develop the skills necessary to interact globally whether at home or abroad. The knowledge gained about global leadership will allow students to recognize and respect cultural differences and be able to maneuver situations more accurately as well as gain insight and understanding of recent world leaders.
LDR 2160 – Peer Leadership1 (3)
The purpose of this course is to introduce the study of peer education, mentoring, and leadership using text and outside readings, activities, and a variety of other assignments. It will give students a deeper understanding of themselves and appreciation for the diversity of others.
LDR 2190 – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (3)
Emotionally Intelligent Leadership is a theory to practice course focusing on the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in leadership knowledge, skills, and development. Students taking this course will be introduced to Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (EIL) theory and consider the role of EI in the context of individual and team leadership development.
LDR 2210 – Leadership through Intergroup Dialogue (3)
In this course, students will learn how to respectfully engage in dialogue with others who are different from them, allowing an opportunity to talk frankly about identity (sexuality, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, ability, and more). This course is designed to incorporate critical readings, dialogic skills, deep questioning and reflection and activities that will teach students how to apply what they’ve learned to their daily lives and the process of leadership.
LDR 2213 – Leadership in Social Justice1,3 (3)
This supporting course examines social justice in the context of leadership and how students can understand their unique role in creating social change on campus, in their academic discipline, and within our larger society.
LDR 2290 – Leadership and Sustainability in Action1 (3)
This supporting course focuses on the process of leadership and creating positive change in the areas of sustainability, including, but not limited to economic, environmental, and sociopolitical sustainability.
LDR 2241 – Black Male Leadership3 (3)
This course introduces the study of leadership and leadership efficacy as it relates to Black males, using text and outside readings, activities, and a variety of assignments. Students in this course are introduced to and discuss some of the social, psychological, and cognitive realities of Black males in America.
LDR 2242 – Gender and Leadership3 (3)
This course is an exploration of the intersections of the complex social construct of gender and the intricacies of enacting leadership. This course considers the experiences of women, trans*, genderqueer, and men leaders as well as concepts of gender expression and the intersectionality of identities as influencers on leadership access and practice.
LDR 2243 – Latinx Leadership Development3 (3)
This course is a theory-to-practice, interactive and identity-based leadership course discussing and analyzing components of Latinx Leadership Development. This course explores the historical and cultural aspects of Latinx culture and how it intertwines with leadership development, learning, and practice.
LDR 2325 – Leadership and Empowerment (3)
The course includes critical conversation about leadership literature, theory, and class discussions that will provide a foundation for new perspectives of leadership, with the focus on follower empowerment.
LDR 2560 – Leadership in Film1 (3)
This course initiates a thoughtful consideration of the nature of leadership as depicted in film. Film provides unique insights to investigate character and motive, as well as culture, allowing students to access meaning and significance through theoretical, analytic and dialogic inquiry.
LDR 3200 – Leadership and Ethics (3)
This course helps students become ethically engaged citizens and logical thinkers. The course assists students in identifying and examining ethical leadership as it relates to values, authenticity, context, controversy, and dilemmas.
LDR 3263 - Leadership Experience*2 (3)
This experiential course offers participants an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge, theory and skills they have learned in previous courses in the Certificate program. Students will create and participate in an experience which will be coupled with reflection throughout the course. This course is offered online.
LDR 4105 - Leadership and Complexity*1 (3)
This final course in the Certificate program builds upon the leadership literature, theory and experience created in the previous Certificate courses. Systematic reflection on applied leadership issues and strategies is an important component of this course. This course is offered in person once a week for 150 minutes.
LDR 4404 – Student Affairs Leadership1 (3)
This supporting course is designed to provide students an opportunity to gain knowledge in the theory and practical application of student affairs, with an emphasis placed on leadership development, problem solving, and career exploration.
1. Scholarship in Practice
This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Liberal Studies Scholarship in Practice requirements and is designed to help you become a critical thinker, a creative user of knowledge for professional practice, and an independent learner.
2. Formative Experience
This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Liberal Studies Formative Experiences requirements and is designed to help you use and develop knowledge by engaging in a hands-on experience outside of the classroom. One of the two required Scholarship in Practice courses can be fulfilled with a Formative Experience.
3. Diversity Requirement
This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Diversity course requirement.
Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies
The Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies is a 12-credit program open to all Florida State undergraduate students. The certificate program prepares students for leadership in multiple contexts and uses practical experience and service-learning projects to frame leadership learning within the context of social change. Upon completion, the Leadership Certificate appears on students’ academic transcripts.
Teaching Assistant Opportunities
Each semester we identify several HESA second-year masters student to serve as teaching assistants in the Undergraduate Leadership Studies courses. These students are able to apply their personal leadership learning gained in EDH Leadership Theory and Practice, a required course in their degree program.
Course Development
We actively research and develop leadership studies courses offered to the undergraduate students across the campus.
Leadership Studies Certificate FAQ's
How do I become admitted to the certificate program?
Email Leadership-Studies@fsu.edu to schedule an advising session.
What are the overall requirements for the certificate?
The Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies is a 12-credit, interdisciplinary, multidimensional and experiential program open to all degree-seeking undergraduate students. You must take LDR 2101, LDR 3215, LDR 3221 and one elective course with an LDR prefix. You must attain a C or above in all leadership courses to be eligible for the certificate. You must meet with the leadership certificate advisor to discuss your plan of study and the requirements of the certificate. Finally, you take the courses and continue your communication with the certificate advisor as you progress through your classes.
In what sequence must I take the courses?
You can take the courses in any order.
Who teaches LDR courses?
Our courses are taught by faculty and staff from Florida State University and beyond. The bulk of the core courses are taught by the LLRC staff. Our teaching assistants are second-year master’s students in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program.
Dr. Kathy L. Guthrie
Kathy serves as the director of the Leadership Learning Research Center. She is a professor of higher education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Florida State University. In addition to teaching in the Higher Education program, Dr. Guthrie also coordinates the Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies.
Kathy’s research focuses on leadership learning, socially just leadership education, online teaching and learning, and professional development for student affairs professionals specifically in leadership education. She has authored/co-authored refereed journal articles, edited/co-edited, and authored books totally over 90 publications.
Kathy has received awards including NASPA’s Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member, FSU Transformation through Teaching Award, ACPA Contribution of Knowledge award and honored as an ACPA Diamond Honoree and NASPA Pillar of the Profession. Kathy has served on several editorial boards and is currently the editor of the New Directions in Student Leadership series and on the advisory boards for the Journal of Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship and the Council for the Advancement of Standards. She currently serves on the board of directors for LeaderShape, Inc. and the International Leadership Association.
Dr. Cameron C. Beatty
Cameron C. Beatty, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department. Dr. Beatty teaches courses in the undergraduate leadership certificate as well as conducts research with the Leadership and Learning Research Center. He serves as the current program coordinator for the higher education program. Dr. Beatty's research foci include exploring the intersections of gender and race in leadership education, leadership development of students of color on historically white college campuses, and global leadership education for undergraduate students. Dr. Beatty recently co-authored two books for the Information Age Publishing series, Contemporary Perspectives on Leadership Learning. The first book, Engaging in the Leadership Process: Identity, Capacity, and Efficacy for College Students, is co-authored with Dr. Kathy Guthrie and Dr. Erica Wiborg. The second book, also co-authored with Dr. Kathy Guthrie, is titled Operationalizing Culturally Relevant Leadership Learning. Dr. Beatty’s recent book, Engaging Black Men in College Through Leadership Learning, is co-edited with Dr. Jesse Ford.
Prior to joining the faculty at Florida State University, Dr. Beatty was an assistant professor at Salem State University in the higher education student affairs program. He was also the Coordinator and Lecturer for the Leadership Studies Program at Iowa State University, where he was not only responsible for the administration of the certificate program, but also directed the Global Leadership Study Abroad Program to Sweden and the Vermeer International Scholarship Program. Dr. Beatty has experience in fraternity and sorority advising, campus programming boards, and supervising academic peer mentors.
Dr. Beatty was named a 2018 ACPA Emerging Scholar designee. He completed his Ph.D. at Iowa State University in the Higher Education Administration Program with a concentration in Social Justice in 2014. Cameron received a B.S. in Sociology and a M.S. in Higher Education Student Affairs, both from Indiana University, Bloomington (IUB).
Dr. Sally Watkins
Dr. Watkins is a visiting teaching faculty with the LLRC. She has taught a variety of the LDR courses offered at Florida State. Her research focuses on the history of leadership education at the collegiate level, socially responsible leadership development, and leadership learning and pedagogy. Additionally, Sally is interested in the history of higher education, institutional presidents, and career readiness. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at the University of Alabama, a Master of Education in Art Education at the University of North Georgia, a Master of Education in Post and Secondary Education at Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education at Florida State University. A native of Georgia, Sally loves being in the Northeast Georgia Mountains and spending time with her dogs.
Derrick Raphael Pacheco
Derrick Raphael Pacheco (he/him/his/el) is originally from Hialeah, Florida and is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. Derrick serves as a teaching and research assistant at the Leadership Learning Research Center. He received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing and Management from the College of Business at Florida State University and a Master of Science in Higher Education from the College of Education at Florida State University. Derrick also holds a certification from the National Leadership Alliance as a Certified Nonprofit Professional. His research interests include leadership identity development of college students who hold minoritized identities, the access to higher education for minoritized communities, and first-generation college students. Derrick enjoys spending time with his loved ones and discovering new places to eat and study around Tallahassee.
Darius Robinson
Darius Robinson is a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. His research focus is on the impact of leadership on students of color, with an emphasis on black male leadership. Originally from Binghamton, NY, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University, with academic focuses in educational studies and writing & rhetoric. Before attending graduate school, Darius worked for two AmeriCorps programs – the first was City Year Los Angeles, working as a mentor, tutor, and role model for kids in the Watts neighborhood. The second, he worked for the Episcopal Service Corps, rebuilding homes on Staten Island after Hurricane Sandy. After working with these organizations, Darius received his master’s degree in college student affairs at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. Prior to coming to FSU, he worked full-time at the University of Nevada, Reno. There, he worked with residential hall student government, large scale programming, and community development. In his regular life, Darius is a fan of nature, Internet TV, video games and relaxing with friends and family.
Antonio Ruiz Ezquerro
Antonio Ruiz Ezquerro is an international student from Mexico City, Mexico. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education at Florida State University and works at the LLRC as a Graduate Assistant. He completed his M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University in 2020. In 2017, he obtained his Marketing BBA with a Nonprofit Studies Minor from James Madison University. His research interests cover leadership, gamification as a pedagogy, issues relating to the Latinx community, and student development theory. Antonio is known for his adept communication skills and ability to identify and handle challenges ahead. His vision of making a difference with his work, as well as his diverse life and cultural experiences, are assets he uses to unify teams and drive them to results.
Laura Vaughn
Laura Vaughn is a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. She received her international business double bachelor's degrees in business and foreign language from Mississippi State University. After her undergraduate studies, Laura worked for two years in Isesaki, Gunma, Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher under the JET Program. She then worked for the University of Mississippi as the Coordinator of Admissions and International Student Advisor for the Intensive English Program and Office of International Programs. During her time at the University of Mississippi, she obtained her master's degree in higher education and an MBA degree. Her research interests include leadership and student development for international students. In her free time, Laura enjoys walking around in nature, practicing Tai Chi, and game nights with friends.
Johnnie Allen Jr.
Johnnie Allen Jr. is a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. His research interests focus on the leadership experiences and development of students of color in higher education, with an emphasis on Black college men and their participation in leadership learning, education, and mentorship programs as a way to increase social equity. Additionally, he hopes to identify the correlation between leadership engagement and college graduation rates at predominantly white 4-year institutions, HBCUs, and community colleges for students of color. Born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana, he is a proud two-time alum of Indiana University. He has his B.S. in Community Health and Public Health ‘20 and M.S.Ed. and certificate in College Pedagogy from the Indiana University Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Program ‘22. He is a recipient of the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship 2022-2023 cohort from the Florida Education Fund. While at the Leadership Learning Research Center, Johnnie conducts research and teaches courses in the undergraduate leadership certificate program. Johnnie is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He enjoys reality TV, video games, traveling, college Basketball, and spending time with family and friends.
The Leadership Learning Research Center offers course work in leadership studies, scholarly research, and leadership learning publications and resources. In partnership with the College of Education and the Division of Student Affairs, we offer the Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies. The LLRC staff engage in research and professional development as well as teach in the certificate program. Additionally, the LLRC supports the development and publication of the New Directions for Student Leadership source book series and the Contemporary Perspectives on Leadership Learning book series. The LLRC hopes to be a resource for leadership educators, both in theory and practice.
