Curriculum

Progress through three years of intentional curriculum.

You already have a busy schedule and you might be wondering how you can possibly add 12 more credits to your overall course load. Take a look below to explore the intentional way we have built this program to help you grow as a leader.

  • Year 1: Leading Oneself
  • Year 2: Leading With Others
  • Year 3: Leading Innovation

Developing Individual Capacity to Lead Effectively

In the first year of the program, students develop a deep sense of self-awareness. They begin answering questions like, “What does leadership mean to me? How do I ideally want to lead? How is that informed by who I am today?” The focus is not on titles or accomplishments. Instead, students explore the beliefs they have about leadership, the values they want to live by, and how they want to meaningfully contribute to the communities they are part of using their gifts and talents.

Curriculum Highlights

  • Seminar Courses
    • GEEN 2961 E-Lead 1: Foundations of Leadership and Individual Development. (2 cr.)
  • Experiential Learning Experiences
    • The Institute™ offered partnership with LeaderShape Inc.
    • Workshop: Building Resilience
  • Topics and Tools
    • Self-awareness
    • Emotional intelligence
    • Leadership theories
    • Leadership versus management
    • Personal leadership philosophy
    • Develop personal leadership learning agenda
    • DiSC classic personal profile
    • CliftonStrengths Assessment (Individual)

Developing Collective Capacity for High-Level Performance

In the second year of the program, students learn to foster effective strategies to build healthy and high-performing teams. They spark collective learning by creating spaces where team members bring the best of themselves and feel comfortable sharing various perspectives. Innovation is a team sport and individuals rarely move from idea to impact alone.

Curriculum Highlights

  • Seminar Courses
    • GEEN 3961: E-Lead 2: Leading With Others (2 cr.)
    • GEEN 3959: E-Lead: Explorations in Innovation Leadership Practice (2 cr.)
    • GEEN 3990: E-Lead: Professional Leadership Experience (1 cr.)

  • Experiential Learning Experiences

    • Leader Shadow Experiences (tied to GEEN 3959)
    • Required professional experience with synthesis (i.e. internship, co-op, clinical) (tied to GEEN 3990)
    • Workshop topic: Having difficult conversations

  • Topics and Tools

    • Team formation and development
    • Effective communication
    • Giving and receiving feedback
    • Psychological safety and intellectual honesty
    • Diversity and inclusion in leadership
    • Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ESCI)
    • CliftonStrengths Assessment (Collective)

Challenging the Status Quo

In the third year of the program, students explore innovation – beyond the buzzword. Students learn what innovators do differently to generate new ideas and create value. They come to recognize innovation requires leadership from people who can see a different future – a better way – and are driven to create the conditions to bring that new vision to a reality with others. Students gain a clear sense of what innovation is, what it is not, and what is required to make it happen. And then they set out to innovate!

Curriculum Highlights

  • Seminar Courses
    • GEEN 4961 E-Lead 3: Leading Innovation (2 cr.)
    • GEEN 4998: Capstone (3 cr.)
  • Experiential Learning Experiences
    • Workshop topic: Innovation Boot Camp
    • Team-based project focused on problem identification, prototyping solutions, and employing leadership mindsets and skillsets
  • Topics and Tools
    • Innovation mindsets, skillsets, and heartsets
    • Catalysts and barriers to innovation
    • Identifying problems worth solving
    • Ideation and portfolio of solutions
    • Experimentation and prototyping
    • Innovator’s DNA assessment

Earn a Concentration in Innovation Leadership

Each fall, 40 sophomores from across the university are selected to begin the program. After completing 12 credit hours of seminars and experiential courses over three years, students earn a Concentration in Innovation Leadership, which is noted on their transcript. They are able to articulate and demonstrate knowledge of, capacity for, and confidence in their ability to lead innovation.

E-Lead curriculum map

KEY

* = Enroll in this course the first term immediately following your prof. exp.
~ = Courses must be taken concurrently during your senior year

NOTE: The curriculum map above represents the standard path of moving through the program. This typical course sequence is also noted below. Other paths through the curriculum are common and possible! Reach out to us if you'd like to explore how E-Lead can fit into your coursework at Marquette!

 

Seminar Courses

  • GEEN 2961. E-Lead I: Foundations of Leadership and Individual Development. (Year 1 Spring Semester - 2 cr.)
    • Prereq: So. stdng. and enrolled in the E-Lead Program
    • Offered SPRING Term, in person delivery
  • GEEN 3961. E-Lead II: Leading With Others (Year 2 Fall OR Spring Semester - 2 cr.)
    • Prereq: GEEN 2961 and enrolled in the E-Lead Program
    • Offered FALL and SPRING Terms, in person delivery
  • GEEN 4961. E-Lead III: Leading Innovation (Year 3 Fall Semester - 2 cr.)
    • Prereq: GEEN 3961 and enrolled in the E-Lead Program
    • Offered FALL Term, in person delivery

Experiential Courses

  • GEEN 3959. E-Lead: Explorations in Leadership Practice (Year 2 Fall Semester - 2 cr.)
    • Prereq: GEEN 2961 and Jr. stdng. and enrolled in the E-Lead Program
    • Offered FALL term, HYBRID COURSE (in person and online instructional delivery)
  • GEEN 3990. E-Lead: Professional Innovation Leadership Experience (Year 2 Fall OR Spring Semester - 1 cr.)
    • Prereq: GEEN 2961, professional experience and enrolled in the E-Lead Program
    • Offered FALL and SPRING Terms, HYBRID COURSE (in person and online instructional delivery)
  • GEEN 4998. E-Lead: Capstone Project (Year 3 Spring Semester - 3 cr.)
    • Prereq: Sr. stng and GEEN 4961 and enrolled in the E-Lead Program
    • Offered SPRING Term

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What is the time commitment to participate in E-Lead?

Please visit the apply page for information outlining the requirements (curricular and otherwise) for E-Lead participants. In addition to regular course meetings, students participate in workshops, attend guest lectures and engage with industry leaders. All opportunities are communicated well in advance to allow students to plan accordingly.  

I'm really busy! Why should I prioritize E-Lead over other opportunities?

Life is all about choices. We have to make decisions between good opportunities. If you're going to do E-Lead, you have to commit to it. It is work, but it is meaningful work, you will reap so much more than you sow. Is innovation leadership a priority for you? 

What if I have a co-op, internship, study abroad commitment?

The E-Lead curriculum has been designed with a lot of flexibility, particularly in the second year of the program. In most cases, we can work with your existing commitments, such as co-ops, internships, and study abroad. In fact, you can use co-ops, internships, and clinical experiences to satisfy E-Lead's professional experience requirement. If you have any concerns about how E-Lead can fit into your academic plan, please reach out to us to discuss your situation. 

What’s the difference between E-Lead and other university leadership programs? 

Marquette offers numerous leadership opportunities, but E-Lead is specifically an innovation leadership development program. Our curriculum is designed to help develop you as an innovator, make big meaningful change in the world, and challenge the status quo. E-Lead is a three-year, 12-credit curricular program that results in a Concentration in Innovation Leadership.

What does a Concentration in Innovation Leadership mean? 

A concentration is 12 credits, kind of like half of a minor. It communicates to employers that Marquette recognizes that you have spent meaningful time learning about and developing your confidence and capacity to lead innovation.  

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:  

Kate Trevey, Director of Engineering and Innovation Leadership Development 
kate.trevey@marquette.edu 

Andrea Gorman, Associate Director of Engineering and Innovation Leadership Development 
andrea.gorman@marquette.edu 

Jennifer Benjamin, Associate Director of Engineering and Innovation Leadership Development 
jennifer.benjamin@marquette.edu