Messiah offers several unique degrees, tracks
Want to major in leadership? At Messiah, you can pursue a master’s in intercollegiate athletic leadership or a master’s in strategic leadership. The MBA program also offers a strategic leadership track.
“Leadership is multifaceted, much like light that reflects from a diamond’s surface,” explained Kris Cravey, director of graduate programs in business and leadership and assistant professor of business. “As prospective students examine our program against others, I often hear that they are drawn by the courses we offer that support this multifaceted leadership approach. The blend of theory and practice, where students can use what they’re learning immediately in their organizational context is a big draw for students.”
Some of these facets of Messiah’s leadership programs include:
- personal formation, such as applying ethical frameworks in decision-making, overcoming unconscious biases and understanding the pros and cons of different leadership styles.
- organizational implications of leadership that require the ability to lead change initiatives, develop a communication strategy and optimize the effectiveness of an organization.
- external development aspects of leadership, involving the ability to identify and develop future leaders and to build and empower high-functioning teams.
“Leadership in its most basic form is influence,” said Cravey. “Regardless of your title or position, we can all be persons of influence to achieve mutually beneficial results.”
And, as followers of God, a good leader knows there’s a time and a place to be a good follower, too.
“If I were to hold a workshop on how you can become an effective leader,” said Cravey, “there would likely be stronger interest in this topic than offering a workshop on how to become an effective follower. Yet all of us move throughout the day as leaders and followers in our various interactions and roles. So, while we need to examine how we can lead or create influence where we are, we also need to look at how to be better followers by assuming responsibility, serving, having the courage to challenge, participating in transformation and taking moral action.”
—Anna Seip