Leadership education and experience in the classroom : a case study

This paper examines the core academic leader development course at the UnitedStates Air Force Academy. The course serves as the foundation for individualleader development that is integrated across all four years of the student’seducation. The basic approach uses a self-study where the student selects acurrent leadership role and that role serves as a common frame of reference forthe entire course. Assessment strategies such as self-study, journaling, leadershipapplication exercises are intentionally developed to integrate the classroomeducation into their leadership role. Through this integration the student is able toapply the leadership education real time as they have a current, relevant context inwhich to apply the material. Initial response to the course has been positive fromboth the students and the faculty. Future data collection is planned to determinethe actual impact of the experience on relevant leadership outcomes.