Traditional conceptualizations of leadership often focus on leaders being defined by their position, responsibilities, and power, while in many cases commanding, controlling, and coercing their followers. At UP, we see leadership differently. We emphasize the inclusive assertion that everyone can be a leader and express leadership through intentionally cultivated knowledge, skills, mindsets and the leveraging of unique leadership strengths. In the midst of the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of life, we celebrate that leadership is both what we do and the essence of who we are and who we are becoming. We lift up the idea that leadership is manifested through relationship and is enacted through serving and accompanying others on their journey and working for social justice. Leadership is by and for ALL of us, collaborating together toward a more holistic vision of the common good. With this in mind, we hope you will consider participating in the Leadership Fellows Formation Program in Fall Semester 2021.
Why should I get involved?
- Leadership is for ALL – The UP community needs leadership from many different voices and perspectives from across campus. Learn how UP thinks about leadership and add your ideas to enrich the discussion. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.
- Learn more deeply about YOU and who you are becoming! You will gain a deeper awareness of your leadership strengths and practice leveraging those strengths through our strengths-based approach to leadership development.
- Develop critical leadership knowledge, skills, and mindsets to apply to your personal and professional contexts
- Get ENGAGED – Cultivate community with faculty and staff members across campus. Intentionally form relationships with colleagues who deepen your learning, support you and goals, and provide a catalyst for your continued growth and transformation.
- Interested in being a future leadership coach and/or instructor – This program is a pre-requisite to serve as a leadership coach and/or instructor in the Leader Certificate Program; however, completion is not a guarantee of future placement (there is additional preparation that is required for those who desire to serve in those roles)
- Leadership coaches and instructors can earn a stipend of up to $2,500 for their teaching or coaching.
What does the program entail?
- Live Sessions: 6, 1-hour live in person sessions (2 per month) during Fall Semester 2021: Live sessions bring the whole cohort together to learn, share, and explore leadership
- Pre-work for live sessions: Participants will be invited to engage with materials such as readings, videos, and assessments to deepen their learning and make progress toward their goals
- Pod discussions – Pods are small groups of 3-4 participants. The purpose of the pods is to cultivate community, deepen the learning, and forward the action and goals of participants.
o Pods meet approximately 2 times per month, each being approximately 30 minutes (at a day/time that is convenient for the pod members)
o Outline of each pod meeting structure/questions will be provided by the program
- Leadership Laboratory – Participants will choose one leader character habit and additional professional and personal goals that they wish to focus on during the arc of the program. Pod members will serve as collaborators in curiosity and accountability, helping support and challenge their pod members.
- Individual Leadership Exploration Library – optional resources that participants can engage with to deepen their leadership learning and growth
- Reflection/Integration – Participants will complete a short reflection that gives them the opportunity to integrate, connect, and apply their learning to personal and professional contexts
Total approximate time commitment for program = 16 hours (approximately 1 hour per week during Fall Semester 2021)
What are the dates of the live sessions?
- Session #1: Wednesday, September 1, 12 p.m. -1 p.m. (Franz 120)
- Session #2: Wednesday, September 15, 12 p.m. -1 p.m. (Franz 120)
- Session #3: Wednesday, September 29, 12 p.m. -1 p.m. (Franz 120)
- Session #4: Wednesday, October 20, 12 p.m. -1 p.m. (Franz 120)
- Session #5: Wednesday, November 3, 12 p.m. -1 p.m. (Franz 120)
- Session #6: Wednesday, November 17, 12 p.m. -1 p.m. (Franz 120)
Go to the website to see what faculty and staff have said about the program.
How do I register?
To register, please complete this registration form by August 2. There is not a fee to participate in the program. For questions, please contact Dave Houglum, Director of Leadership & Leadership Professor of Practice at houglum@up.edu.
Dave Houglum, Director of Leadership in the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, is currently offering free leadership coaching as a service for UP employees and has three openings currently available for faculty & staff to start the coaching process in the near future (beginning in May). Coaching will be conducted via Zoom or phone.
The Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation once again hosted its annual venture pitch competition, Pilot Venture Challenge, as a live, virtual event due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, that didn’t seem to deter students from developing invention and venture ideas to pitch. This year there was a record number of sixteen entries in the finals.
The 2021 Pilot Venture Challenge, UP’s premier invention, business and social venture competition hosted by the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is now accepting applications from students across all majors and disciplines. Pilot Venture Challenge will again be held virtually on Saturday, April 17 and Saturday, April 24.
The Entrepreneurship Scholars Program is now accepting applications from students across all majors and disciplines to join the 2021-22 cohort. E-Scholars is a highly selective program that accepts up to 25 students each year. The year-long academic program challenges students to find their passions, explore outside the classroom, build their network and develop their own venture. Other benefits of the program include domestic and international travel, working one-on-one with a mentor, participate in Pilot Venture Challenge, and be a member of the E-Scholar network. To learn more and how to apply, 
The Leader Certificate Program is seeking recommendations from faculty and staff for students who might benefit from starting with the program in Spring 2021. Please send recommendations to Dave Houglum (
Ryan Jarvis ’21 took second place at the 2020 Invent Oregon State Finals on September 18, 2020. Jarvis, an accounting major and Entrepreneurship Scholar, presented his venture idea Dose, a device to organize, store, and safely dispense prescription medications at home and on the go.
It was a year of firsts for The Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation’s annual venture pitch competition. This year the event launched with a new name. Formerly known as the $100K Challenge, it has been rebranded as The Pilot Venture Challenge. The other first was a move to holding the competition as a live, virtual event due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Pamplin School of Business is pleased to present its 4th annual Operations & Technology Symposium on Thursday, October 24, from 4-7 p.m., featuring keynote speaker Ben Berry, EVP & CIO of the Bonneville Power Administration. This annual event congregates thought-leaders in the operations and technology management field space to spotlight the latest trends, initiate dialogue, and network with fellow professionals. All attendees receive a digital badge; networking reception also included with hosted hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Free for staff, faculty, and students with code: uppamplin.