About the Leadership Center

Leadership Development at William & Mary

Leadership is woven throughout the fabric of William & Mary.

For more than three centuries, William & Mary has prepared people to lead lives of purpose, curiosity and service. Leadership has always been part of who we are, shaping generations of leaders who strengthen organizations and serve the public good.

Today, leadership development continues to be one of William & Mary's greatest strengths. Across the university, leadership is developed every day through teaching, research, collaboration, innovation and service.

Grounded in William & Mary's values of belonging, excellence, integrity, respect and service, our approach to leadership development encourages authenticity, curiosity, thoughtful decision making, civic responsibility and lifelong learning.

We believe leadership is not reserved for those with formal authority; it is expressed through how we build relationships, solve problems, contribute to our communities and help others succeed.

Why a Leadership Center?

Across the university, leadership development programs, expertise and opportunities exist in every school, department, institute and division. The Leadership Center brings these efforts together, connecting people, programs, ideas and opportunities across disciplines and offices.

As a university-wide hub, the Center coordinates, amplifies and connects leadership development, making it easier for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to:

• discover opportunities
• share expertise
• build partnerships
• continue growing throughout every stage of their leadership journey.

The Center also supports William & Mary's commitment to creating a culture of professional well-being by investing in the continued growth, development and success of our faculty and staff.

Our Role

The Leadership Center serves as both a catalyst and a connector, advancing leadership development across William & Mary through three core commitments.

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We Develop. We partner with schools, departments, institutes and university leaders to create meaningful leadership development experiences tailored to specific disciplines, professions and communities. From signature programs to workshops and collaborative learning experiences, we help individuals and teams grow as leaders equipped to navigate an increasingly complex world.

We Connect. Leadership expertise exists across every corner of William & Mary. We bring people, programs and partnerships together by connecting faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners with opportunities to learn, collaborate and share expertise. By coordinating and amplifying the remarkable work already happening across the university, we strengthen our collective impact.

We Strengthen. We help build institutional capacity by investing in people. Through leadership development, collaboration and strategic partnerships, we cultivate a culture where individuals, teams and the university as a whole can thrive.

The William & Mary Leadership Development Model

Leadership is the ability to positively influence others and contribute to something greater than yourself.

Leadership begins with understanding yourself, grows through meaningful relationships, and finds its greatest purpose in strengthening our communities and serving the public good.

We believe leadership can be learned. Every member of our community (students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners) has the capacity to lead from where they stand. Through reflection and continuous learning, individuals develop the confidence and skills to navigate complexity and create meaningful change.

Rather than representing a checklist of competencies or a linear progression, the William & Mary Leadership Development Model reflects four interconnected dimensions of leadership. Together, they provide a shared framework for leadership development.

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Know Yourself Leadership begins with self-awareness. By understanding your strengths, values, experiences and purpose through reflection, curiosity, feedback and continuous learning, you develop the authenticity and confidence to lead with intention, resilience, humility and integrity. Self-awareness provides the foundation for lifelong growth and enables us to bring our best selves to every opportunity to lead.

Build Relationships Leadership grows through meaningful relationships. Trust, empathy, respect, belonging and collaboration enable us to accomplish far more together than any one person can achieve alone. By listening deeply, valuing diverse perspectives, communicating with authenticity and creating environments where others feel seen, heard and empowered to contribute, we strengthen teams, organizations and communities. Leadership is not about standing above others. It is about growing alongside them.

Serve the Public Good Leadership expands through service to others and a commitment to the public good. Whether strengthening a team, improving an organization, addressing a community challenge or advancing society, leadership is ultimately about using our strengths and talents in service of something greater than ourselves. We believe leadership carries both opportunity and responsibility -- to contribute with integrity, collaborate across differences and leave people, organizations and communities stronger than we found them.

Create Lasting Impact Leadership is a lifelong practice of learning, growth and service. As individuals continue to develop themselves and invest in others, they strengthen organizations, communities and society. Leadership development is never complete; every experience provides new opportunities to learn, adapt, mentor and grow. Ultimately, leadership is measured not by position or status, but by the positive impact we create, the people we develop and the legacy we leave through our actions.

Our Philosophy

Mission

The Leadership Center advances leadership development across William & Mary by connecting people, programs and partnerships that prepare individuals and teams to lead with purpose, strengthen their communities and contribute to the public good.

Vision

We envision a William & Mary where leadership development is woven throughout the university experience, accessible to every member of our community and recognized as an essential part of advancing learning, strengthening relationships, fostering professional well-being and serving the public good.